Stories of Change
Senior Assist Day Marks Four Years of Supporting Seniors in South Phoenix
Senior Assist Day celebrates four years of serving seniors at Tanner Gardens in South Phoenix, led by Assistory Outreach Services and founder Jon Taylor.
Senior Assist Day Marks Four Years of Supporting Seniors in South Phoenix
PHOENIX, AZ — Senior Assist Day reached a meaningful milestone this year, marking four years of service to seniors living at Tanner Gardens in South Phoenix. Hosted by Assistory Outreach Services, the annual event continues to provide dignity, connection, and practical support to an often-overlooked population.
A Personal Beginning
The origins of Senior Assist Day are deeply personal for Assistory Outreach Services founder and CEO Jon Taylor.
“The origin of me going to Tanner Gardens was when I was with the 100 Black Men of Phoenix. We used to do a luncheon for seniors around December.”
That early connection took on new meaning as Taylor’s mother began showing signs of dementia, inspiring him to create an event rooted in empathy and care.
“I got a great feeling from being around those senior citizens. Senior Assist Day is roughly based on my mother.”
An Event That Continues to Grow
What began as a small gathering has grown into a full community experience. Seniors now enjoy catered meals, live music, personal care services, and gifts tailored to their needs.
This year’s event included authentic Mexican food, live holiday music, haircuts provided by AJ’s Barbershop, and the donation of new shoes — a moment that stood out for many attendees.
“Seeing the excitement and how they were reacting to the new shoes was incredible,” Taylor said.
Beyond a Single Day
Senior Assist Day also helps build trust between Assistory Outreach Services and the residents of Tanner Gardens, opening the door to additional programs throughout the year.
Through initiatives like the Digital Access Program for Seniors (DAPs), the organization helps seniors develop basic phone and computer skills, empowering them to stay connected and informed.
Challenges and Purpose
Keeping the event going year after year requires dedication and resources. Taylor personally raises funds and helps purchase gifts for more than 130 residents annually.
Despite the challenges, his motivation remains strong.
“I do feel as though this is my ministry. I’m providing services, and I’m being fulfilled at the same time.”
Looking Ahead
Looking to the future, Taylor envisions Senior Assist Day becoming an all-day celebration, offering expanded services, entertainment, and meals — all focused exclusively on the residents of Tanner Gardens.
As the event enters its fifth year, Senior Assist Day stands as a testament to what consistent community engagement and compassion can achieve.
About Assistory Outreach Services
Assistory Outreach Services is a community-based nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering seniors, low-income residents, and individuals experiencing homelessness. Assistory helps senior citizens embrace technology by teaching basic cell phone and computer skills, using a formula rooted in education, love, and patience to remove fear and build confidence. In addition to senior programming, the organization focuses on serving low-income and homeless populations by providing food boxes, holiday meals, and homeless care packages known as Assist Packs. This year, Assistory Outreach Services is expanding its impact by partnering with other nonprofits and religious organizations to coordinate food distribution through its community food pantry.
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Community
Chicken Salad Chick Foundation Presents Record-Breaking Donation to CURE Childhood Cancer
Chicken Salad Chick Foundation raised a record $382,604.30 for CURE Childhood Cancer in 2025, fueled by Cookies for a CURE and the Giving Card program.
Chicken Salad Chick and the guests who keep its dining rooms busy just delivered a major win for pediatric cancer research and family support in Atlanta and beyond.
The fast-casual chicken salad brand announced that through the Chicken Salad Chick Foundation, it raised a record-breaking $382,604.30 for CURE Childhood Cancer throughout 2025. The donation was presented at the companys annual owner conference on March 23, 2026, surpassing last years total by more than $50,000 and marking the largest single gift in the partnerships history.
A hometown partnership with real-world reach
Both organizations are headquartered in Atlanta, and the relationship has become a consistent, community-powered pipeline of support for families navigating childhood cancer. For CURE, that support helps fund targeted research and provide crisis-oriented assistance to patients and caregiversthe kind of help that matters immediately when a diagnosis changes everything.
For families facing a diagnosis right now, that impact is real, said Kristin Connor, CEO of CURE Childhood Cancer. It means more options, more precision, and a better chance at a good outcome.
How the $382K was raised: cookies, cards, and local giving
The 2025 total came from two guest-facing initiatives that have become annual traditions:
- Cookies for a CURE (September 2025): During Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, Chicken Salad Chick sold its Lemon Burst Buttercream Cookies, with proceeds benefiting CURE Childhood Cancer through the foundation.
- Giving Card program (NovemberDecember 2025): The program splits proceeds50% to CURE Childhood Cancer and 50% to local charities chosen by individual restaurants. Those local partners often include organizations focused on food insecurity and other cancer-related causes.
That second piece is what makes the campaign feel especially community-forward: each restaurant can support national research while also backing on-the-ground organizations in its own neighborhood.
A testament to the generosity of our guests
Chicken Salad Chick President and CEO Scott Deviney credited the milestone to the people who show upguests, franchise owners, and teams across the brands footprint.
Surpassing last years total and reaching a new record is a testament to the generosity of our guests, the dedication of our franchise owners, and the passion our teams bring to serving others, Deviney said. Together, we are making a meaningful difference in the lives of children and families facing childhood cancer.
The foundations broader mission: fighting cancer and feeding the hungry
Founded in 2014 by Kevin and Stacy Brown, the Chicken Salad Chick Foundation focuses on two core missions: fighting cancer and feeding the hungry. Since launching in 2017, the foundation has donated more than $2 million to support pediatric cancer research and address food insecurity in local communities.
The brand itself has grown to more than 335 restaurants across 22 states, giving campaigns like Cookies for a CURE a national platformand turning small guest choices into a measurable annual impact.
What to watch for
Cookies for a CURE is set to return this September, again aligning with Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. For guests, its a familiar way to participate: order cookies, support families, and help fund research aimed at improving outcomes for kids facing cancer.
For more information, visit www.chickensaladchick.com and www.curechildhoodcancer.org.
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Community
GENYOUth and Taste of the NFL Help Expand Access to 75 Million School Meals Nationwide
GENYOUth and Taste of the NFL will help provide access to 75 million school meals through a $1.5 million initiative benefiting 500 schools and 275,000 students nationwide.
Super Bowl LX fundraising efforts will support 500 schools and help combat student hunger across all 32 NFL markets.
A major effort to fight student hunger is set to make a lasting impact on schools across the United States. GENYOUth, a national nonprofit focused on improving youth nutrition and physical activity, announced that its 2026 Taste of the NFL event and related initiatives will generate a combined impact of $1.5 million, helping provide access to an estimated 75 million school meals for students nationwide.
The funding is expected to benefit approximately 500 schools and 275,000 students, strengthening nutrition security in communities across all 32 NFL club markets.
Tackling Student Hunger Through Football and Food
Held on February 7, 2026, ahead of Super Bowl LX in San Francisco, Taste of the NFL brought together celebrity chefs, NFL legends, current players, corporate sponsors, and community leaders to raise awareness and funds for student nutrition programs.
The event featured renowned chefs including Andrew Zimmern, Carla Hall, Lasheeda Perry, Mark Bucher, and Sayat and Laura Ozyilmaz, along with appearances by Cat Cora and Tyler Florence. More than 20 culinary professionals participated alongside over 30 NFL players and legends, creating a unique experience that blended sports, food, and philanthropy.
According to GENYOUth CEO Ann Marie Krautheim, school meals remain a critical resource for millions of children.
“For millions of children, school meals are more than nutrition—they are a lifeline that helps students show up ready to learn, grow, and thrive,” Krautheim said. “Together, we are turning shared commitment into real opportunity—fueling brighter, healthier futures for kids across the country.”
Support from the NFL and PepsiCo
Taste of the NFL was made possible through support from the NFL, the NFL Foundation, and presenting sponsor PepsiCo, along with numerous corporate and community partners.
The NFL has long supported initiatives aimed at improving youth health and wellness, using the league’s visibility to address challenges facing communities nationwide.
Anna Isaacson, NFL Senior Vice President of Social Responsibility and a GENYOUth board member, emphasized the role football can play in bringing people together for meaningful causes.
“By leveraging the unifying power of football and moments like Super Bowl LX, we can bring together partners, communities, and resources to make a meaningful difference in supporting the health and well-being of kids nationwide,” she said.
PepsiCo, a longtime partner of GENYOUth, also highlighted the importance of collaborative efforts in addressing food insecurity among children.
Beyond the Big Game
The impact of Taste of the NFL extends well beyond a single fundraising event.
Leading up to Super Bowl LX, GENYOUth’s Super Schools initiative delivered Grab and Go meal equipment packages to more than 60 schools throughout the San Francisco Bay Area. These resources help schools increase student participation in meal programs by making nutritious meals more accessible throughout the school day.
The 2026 Super Schools program is expected to expand access to approximately 9 million school meals annually while creating more opportunities for daily physical activity for more than 33,000 students.
By providing equipment, resources, and support directly to schools, GENYOUth aims to remove barriers that often prevent students from accessing healthy meals and active lifestyles.
A Growing Mission
GENYOUth has become one of the nation’s leading organizations focused on youth wellness. To date, the nonprofit has supported more than 77,000 schools across the United States, helping millions of children gain greater access to nutrition and physical activity programs.
The organization’s efforts are especially important as schools continue addressing food insecurity, a challenge that affects families in communities large and small across the country.
As planning begins for Taste of the NFL 2027 in Los Angeles, organizers hope to build on this year’s success and continue expanding programs that ensure students have access to the nutritious meals they need to learn, grow, and succeed.
For GENYOUth and its partners, the goal remains clear: no child should have to face hunger while trying to get an education.
Source: Information for this article was provided by GENYOUth and PR Newswire. Additional information is available through the GENYOUth Press Release Archive and the Taste of the NFL News Center.
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The Bridge
Play Can’t Wait: Give the Gift of Play to Children Around the World
Gift of Play: As the world comes together around the excitement of international soccer on a global stage, it’s a reminder that every child deserves safe opportunities to play, learn and simply be a child. Sometimes, something as simple as a ball, jump rope or shared game can help children reconnect with joy and normalcy.
Play Can’t Wait: Give the Gift of Play to Children Around the World
(Feature Impact) As the world comes together around the excitement of international soccer on a global stage, it’s a reminder that every child deserves safe opportunities to play, learn and simply be a child.
Play is essential to childhood – yet globally, about 1 in 7 children under the age of 5 do not have toys or playthings at home, according to UNICEF.Through play, children make sense of the world around them, building critical skills from problem-solving and creativity to physical strength, confidence and the social and emotional tools needed to connect and thrive. In times of crisis, play takes on an even greater role, helping restore a sense of stability, familiarity and joy when children need it most.
While many families may spend this summer cheering on teams, signing children up for sports or playing outside together, millions of children affected by conflict, disaster and displacement still lack safe places to play at all. From the United States to Lebanon – and across more than 150 countries and territories – UNICEF supports safe spaces where children can play, learn and connect. The organization works with caregivers, schools and governments to bring play into classrooms and communities, particularly for children affected by conflict, displacement and poverty.
“For children living through crisis, play is not optional, it is essential,” said UNICEF USA President and CEO Michael J. Nyenhuis. “Play offers a sense of stability and connection, helping children cope and continue to grow despite adversity. Our organization is committed to ensuring every child can access safe, inclusive opportunities to play because this fundamental right is critical to their well-being, development and future because play can’t wait.”
Play should be safe everywhere children are, both online and offline. Every child deserves environments that protect their safety, privacy and well-being while ensuring inclusion for children with disabilities and those most marginalized. Still, safe play spaces are shrinking, and childhood can’t be put on pause. Access to safe play supports learning, emotional well-being and healthy development.
Sometimes, something as simple as a ball, jump rope or shared game can help children reconnect with joy and normalcy. Consider supporting the mission with these UNICEF Inspired Gifts that help bring the power of play to children everywhere:
- 5 Soccer Balls for Kids to Exercise and Play:Soccer fosters connection, teamwork and a sense of normalcy. As the world unites around global moments of international competition, a simple ball can help bring the same spirit of unity and joy to children everywhere, so they can keep the world’s game in play, no matter their circumstances.
- Recreation-in-a-Box:Designed for impact at scale, this kit includes basketballs, soccer balls and other recreational supplies to provide enough equipment for more than 90 children to play, move and have fun together.
- 30 Jump Ropes for Kids to Exercise to Play:A simple yet powerful tool. Providing 30 jump ropes to child-friendly spaces and schools allows children affected by crisis to gather, play and reconnect with childhood through movement and shared activity.
The nonprofit organization supports parents and caregivers worldwide by expanding access to early childhood education rooted in learning through play. Together, these efforts help turn the right to play into a reality for every child.
When play is protected, childhood is protected.To help children everywhere access safe opportunities to play, visit unicefusa.org/chooseplay.
SOURCE:
UNICEF
The Bridge is a section of the STM Daily News Blog meant for diversity, offering real news stories about bona fide community efforts to perpetuate a greater good. The purpose of The Bridge is to connect the divides that separate us, fostering understanding and empathy among different groups. By highlighting positive initiatives and inspirational actions, The Bridge aims to create a sense of unity and shared purpose. This section brings to light stories of individuals and organizations working tirelessly to promote inclusivity, equality, and mutual respect. Through these narratives, readers are encouraged to appreciate the richness of diverse perspectives and to participate actively in building stronger, more cohesive communities.
https://stmdailynews.com/the-bridge
