JULY 17, 2025
PHOENIX, AZ (July 17, 2025) – Fresh Start Women’s Foundation has received a $250,000 grant from Thunderbirds Charities to enhance its Thunderbirds Charities Family Law Support Center, an essential program that helps Valley women navigate complex legal matters related to family court. The grant marks the latest milestone in a nearly two-decade partnership with Thunderbirds Charities, whose support for Fresh Start has now surpassed $1 million since 2006. Their generous contributions distinguish them as Fresh Start Visionaries, a group of the organization’s most dedicated supporters who have each cumulatively given $100,000 or more in support of Arizona women on the path to self-sufficiency.
“At Thunderbirds Charities, it’s incredibly meaningful to see our support reflected in the naming of the Family Law Support Center and the work Fresh Start does every day,” said Matt Mooney, Thunderbirds Charities. “This partnership reflects our ongoing commitment to helping families access the resources they need to thrive, and we’re honored to continue supporting Fresh Start as they expand this critical program for women across our community.”
Established in 2020, the Thunderbirds Charities Family Law Support Center at Fresh Start equips women with the tools, information, and services they need to advocate for themselves and their families in court. The Center offers reduced-fee document preparation, pro-bono attorney referrals, and an on-site virtual courtroom, along with legal education programs that cover topics like divorce, custody, child support, and spousal maintenance.
With this new funding, Fresh Start will provide continuing legal education for its Certified Legal Document Preparers, invest in updated legal reference materials that reflect changes in Arizona law, and expand offerings like Law Day for Women – a biannual event that offers free, one-on-one consultations with volunteer attorneys on a range of legal topics.
“This generous gift from Thunderbirds Charities will change the trajectory of countless lives,” said Kim McWaters, President and CEO of Fresh Start Women’s Foundation. “For many women, facing family court can feel overwhelming and isolating. With this grant, we’re able to expand access to legal resources that empower women to advocate for themselves and their children with confidence. It’s more than legal support services. It’s the foundation for a safer, more stable future.”
Fresh Start empowers more than 5,000 women and their children each year, many of whom are navigating the legal system without representation. This vital program ensures that women, regardless of their background or financial situation, are not alone in the process.
Fresh Start’s mission is to provide access and resources that help women achieve self-sufficiency and use their strength to thrive. Our ultimate vision is to create unlimited opportunities for women. For over three decades, Fresh Start has supported more than 65,000 Arizona women, serving more than 5,000 women each year who are 18 years and older. 62% are single mothers, 67% make an annual income less than $25k, and 68% are domestic violence survivors. These women face a variety of barriers hindering their ability to be personally or financially self-sufficient, including generational poverty and unemployment. Fresh Start offers focused programs, services, access to training and education, as well as employment and career services to help women reach their personal and professional goals through our signature Impact Program. For more information, visit freshstartwomen.org or connect with us on Instagram, Twitter or LinkedIn.