Fiscal Year 2024 Community Impact Report
Our Mission
At Tempe Community Action Agency, we believe every individual has the right to a healthy and productive life. Our mission is to eliminate poverty and build equitable communities. Since 1966, TCAA has empowered countless adults and families to improve their quality of life. Headquartered in Tempe, our programs address the root causes and impacts of poverty, focusing on food security, housing stability, health and well-being, and economic mobility in East Valley communities. We offer a wide range of services, including a Food Pantry, Escalante Community Garden, Nutrition and Aging in Place programs for aging adults, Meals on Wheels, Emergency Shelter, Homelessness Prevention, Senior Home-Sharing, Pregnancy and Early Childhood Development programming, and Economic Mobility initiatives. TCAA's nine programs make us one of the East Valley's leading human service nonprofits.
Nourish to Provide Food Security
- Unduplicated persons receiving food boxes and meals: 31,817
- Meals made possible through TCAA: 463,294
- Seniors receiving nutritious lunches and social interaction at senior centers and through Meals on Wheels: 631
- 90% say the food pantry helps them to eat more nutritious food.
- 95% of seniors say TCAA's meal programming improves their quality of life.
At 76, Raphaela, hard of hearing and nearly blind, found solace in TCAA’s Meals on Wheels Program. Her days, once marked by isolation, transformed with the arrival of warm, nutritious lunches delivered by volunteers. Each weekday, their friendly visits brought not just food but companionship, bridging the gap with the outside world. For Raphaela, and 90% of participants, these meals are more than sustenance—they are a daily reminder of care and connection. The program restored a sense of dignity and normalcy to her life, weaving a thread of warmth into her daily routine.
Shelter to Create Housing Stability
- 194 adults and 72 seniors provided with safe emergency shelter.
- 60% positive shelter outcomes.
- 12,270 nutritious meals and safe bed nights provided for adults and seniors.
- 3,116 interventions with unhoused individuals.
- 93% say they have a realistic plan to secure housing after shelter.
- 74% are on track to improve their financial situation while in shelter.
After losing his entire family in a tragic event, Andy found himself homeless until he discovered TCAA’s I-HELP shelter. The program offered him a safe place to sleep, nutritious meals, and support from staff and other clients. Through counseling, Andy obtained identification documents and disability income. With the shelter's assistance, he found a permanent, affordable apartment and received essential items for his new home. We celebrated together as Andy moved into his new, permanent residence.
Thrive With Health & Well-being
- 829 seniors, adults and children participated in health and wellness programming.
- 100% of babies in enrolled families were born within healthy birthweights.
- 100% of children up to age 2 are current with immunizations.
- 95% of mothers participated in prenatal and postpartum depression screenings.
- 96% of young families say they feel a stronger connection to their community.
- 97% of parents say they improved parenting skills.
- 200 seniors were assisted with aging in place.
- 90% of seniors say they are more prepared to remain independent and age at home.
- 84% of seniors say the program helps them feel less isolated and alone.
Mesa residents, Margarita and her husband, were expecting their third child and turned to TCAA due to financial strain from reduced work hours and Margarita’s high-risk pregnancy. She faced depression and concerns about their 2-year-old's development. TCAA’s Community Health Worker connected them with financial aid, early childhood assessments, and counseling. Margarita attended Health Start classes, and the family received food and diapers. Now, with her husband back to full-time work, they’re on track for a healthier future.
Thrive Through Economic Mobility
- 737 households were able to avoid homelessness with financial help from TCAA.
- 119 households received financial and/or employment guidance.
- $1.2 million was paid towards emergency housing costs.
- 86% say that with TCAA's help they prevented an eviction or utility shut-off from occurring.
- 75% say they feel more prepared to prevent a future financial crisis.
Tiffany, a single mother of four, lost her job unexpectedly and fell behind on bills while job hunting, depleting her savings. Fearing homelessness, she sought help from TCAA. The organization guided her through state and local resources, provided financial aid to prevent utility shutoff and eviction, and connected her with food pantry and employment services. Thanks to TCAA, Tiffany avoided homelessness and significantly improved her situation, keeping her family safe and secure.
Circle of Support
FY24 donors and sponsors include, but are not limited to:
- Chasse Building Team
- Chick-Fil-A Foundation
- City of Scottsdale
- City of Tempe
- Crexendo
- Diane and Bruce Halle Foundation
- Dignity Health
- Edward Jones
- Garcia Family Foundation
- James A Rae Trust
- Jenny Norton and Bob Ramsey
- Katie and Marc Whitehorn
- Maricopa County
- Michael and Christa Hitt
- Nina Mason Pulliam Charitable Trust
- Pen Johnson
- RSP Architects, Ltd.
- Salt River Project
- Season for Sharing
- State Farm
- SVB, A Division of First Citizens Bank
- Thunderbird Charities
- Valley of the Sun United Way
- Village Medical
- Virginia Piper Charitable Trust
Program Partner Shout-Outs!
- Arizona Diaper Bank: diapers for Health Start program families.
- AZCEND and Aster Aging: East Valley Home Sharing Program partners.
- Circle the City: onsite medical care for shelter participants.
- City of Scottsdale: in-kind space at senior centers.
- City of Tempe: in-kind space at senior centers and community garden sites.
- HOM: Landlord engagement, housing connections, and lease/payment processing.
- Homeless ID Project: onsite identification document recovery.
- Open Hearts: nurse practitioner and therapeutic counseling consultation.
- Shoebox Ministries: hygiene kits for distribution to unsheltered individuals.
- Tempe Houses of Worship: overnight hosts for I-HELP shelter participants.
- United Food Bank: federal and local food resources for the Food Pantry.
Ways To Give
Your involvement and financial support can make a BIG difference in the community!
