Providing Pathways Out of Poverty
for 25 Years

Over 10,000 local people are helped annually through shelters, emergency drop-in services, job skills training and placement, affordable rental housing, and homeownership assistance. With the help of HUD's Community Development Block Grant funds, the Primavera Foundation is able to work with many people. In the 2006-2007 fiscal year, Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and Emergency Shelter Grant (ESG) funds provided Primavera with $471,713.

Founded in 1982, the Primavera Foundation was established to respond to the increasing numbers of homeless persons on the streets of Tucson and Pima County, Arizona. Using a nationally recognized three-tier model consisting of survival, stability and security, along with advocacy, Primavera provides a safe space for individuals to regain economic independence and financial well-being.

Following are some examples of local programs and participants.

Women In Transition (WIT) Program

Client of the Casa Paloma Women's program.

Ms. B. moved inland from Saipan, the capital of the United States Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. At 22 years old, she had dreams of a career, family, and a future without limitations. Ms. B. found herself estranged from her family and friends, living in the confines of an abusive relationship. Ms. B. was the victim of not just mental abuse, but physical and sexual abuse as well. It took a great deal of time and courage before Ms. B. could break the chain of abuse. She stayed at a shelter for a month before being referred to Primavera's Women In Transition Program (WIT). Through intensive case management, Ms. B. was provided with the resources needed for recovery, both emotionally and financially. As a Certified Nursing Assistant, Ms. B. worked two jobs in order to save money. She saved money for a car. After only a year in the WIT program she had enough money saved to rent her own apartment. Most importantly, her stay at WIT provided her with the self-confidence to change her life. She has since reunited with her family and friends.

Transitional Housing for the Disabled (THD)

With a special needs daughter and a disability herself, Linda came to Primavera's Greyhound Emergency Family Shelter in need of help. After a brief stay at the family shelter, the case manager referred her to another Primavera program more suited for the needs of her family - Transitional Housing Program (THD.) That program provides an interim housing situation for families. There they get the support they need to be able to work on obtaining the tools they will need to live independently such as social services. Working with her case manager, she took all the necessary steps to qualify for Social Security entitlements. These benefits provided her with enough income to move into her own apartment and care for her daughter.

Greyhound Emergency Family Shelter

Clients James, Dana and family.

Ray and Beth were doing the best they could as parents to three children. Two of them had disabilities. But they came across tough times. Ray was unable to work because of an accident that left him disabled. Beth was unemployed. The family came to the Greyhound Emergency Family Shelter in need of not just shelter, but guidance. Through case management and perseverance, the family made strides towards economic stability. Ray applied for social security benefits and Beth obtained a part time job. The disabled children were tested by Tucson Unified School District and were determined to be special needs. This qualified the family for special education assistance and other assistive resources. During their three month stay, the family managed to save $1,350 and was able to secure permanent housing.

Don Finds a New Path

Primavera Works Van.

Don had a long history of substance abuse. He suffered from problems with dementia. During his stay at Primavera's Emergency Men's Shelter, he received regular substance abuse counseling at COPE Community Services. He maintained his sobriety. With his newly found sobriety, the shelter referred Don to Primavera Works. Through the job readiness classes, Don learned how to follow job leads, write a resume, complete job applications and apply tips for interviewing. These skills helped Don acquire a job at a local car wash. He has held this job, and has proudly saved $700 in the two months he has been at the shelter. He recently moved into Primavera's Five Points Transitional Housing program, where he will get the support he needs to help him stay sober and employed. He expressed his thankfulness, stating that he didn't know what he would have done if he hadn't found Primavera.

Men's Emergency Shelter

When Tony came into the Men's Shelter, he was depressed, underweight, and in serious need of medical treatment. Tony had lost all hope and didn't have the strength to carry on. The shelter immediately got Tony into a doctor. As time went by Tony started looking better and feeling stronger. With Michelle's assistance, Tony applied for Tucson Public Housing with the Housing Authority of South Tucson. His time at the shelter was running out. He had been saving money from disability during his stay, but it just wasn't enough to move him in to low-income housing. Michelle extended his stay to allow more time to secure some housing. She referred Tony to the Kidney Foundation which was able to help with a deposit for his apartment. While Tony waited for his apartment to be ready, he moved into a motel provided by Primavera's Intervention and Prevention Program. Tony has since moved into his new apartment. He has met some really good friends. He is on his way to becoming healthy, physically and mentally, and to living independently.