PRESS

“The Well”  opened its doors this week to with a powerful statement of collaboration.  This collaborative effort is being established to create efficiency in fostering community inclusiveness while empowering residents with needed resources to improve their quality of life.

In a pledge to serve South Phoenix residents, Zion Institute is purchasing land and office space in the Galaxy Park commercial development at the intersection of 16th Street and Southern Avenue in Phoenix to serve as the home for The Well. 

The first agencies combining resources at The Well include Zion Institute, Black Family and Child Services, AZ Common Ground, Mission of Mercy, Family Tree Healthcare, My Community Your Community and other organizations to be named later.

“The Zion Institute is leading the charge to establish The Well – a new model for an integrated health services campus that will continue to welcome local residents with grace and love at their point of need,” said Shawn Pearson, founder of Zion Institute.  

“…when we have an officer walk in and the kids run to him and not away from him.” 

Founder Shawn Pearson speaks to changing the philosophy and the culture of the relationship between the police department and the community, and that its done through impacting the youth and young adults, as our leaders of the future. 

We’re grateful for our long standing relationship with the @phoenixpolice and we have much work to do still…together. 

WATCH the entire @stnphx interview at the link below 

Thunderbirds Charities Awards Zion Institute $80K

Funding Educational Childcare Model for South Phoenix

Thunderbirds Charities awarded the Zion Institute $80K, funding the replication of its quality educational childcare model. This allows low-income families access to the same level of service private preschools provide.  “Zion’s approach reaches beyond childcare, equipping children for entering school, focusing on the holistic health of each family to foster an improved quality of life,” said Zion’s founder and CEO, Shawn Pearson.

Under the direction and support of Zion Institute, the Thunderbird Charities grant allows Life Changers Global Ministries of South Phoenix, to launch the Zion preschool model at their location.  The anticipated 50 youth enrolled in the preschool will now have access to high-quality learning, laying the foundation for positive educational outcomes going forward, as well as a supportive network of relationships for the family.  In honor of this event, Life Changers preschool space will be named “The Thunderbirds Charities Imagination Learning Center.”

Facing stark economic, educational, health, and resource disparities, residents are in dire need of access to resources and support. One-third of the South Phoenix community lives in poverty, and 35% of residents never graduated high school.  Each childcare provider will become a profitable business, creating jobs, and building economic prospects.  The Zion Institute’s model strengthens the families and is a critical step towards ending the school to prison pipeline.

Participation in quality early learning programs is an investment in the community’s future.  With a strong start, positive outcomes continue with students performing better academically, graduating high school, and pursuing higher education.  

Open Table’s Community Convening Process, drawing together the social capital of communities for the common good has helped fuel the Zion project. Lead convener Phoenix Police Department brings 10 representatives from business, education, healthcare, legal, and other sectors to co-invest knowledge, skills and relationships to support the preschool’s operations. 

For more information contact Shawn Pearson T) 602-268-7502 E) info@thezioninstitute.org

ABOUT ZION INSTITUTE

Zion Institute, with its network of service partners, provides resources designed to stimulate economic growth, revitalize neighborhoods, and strengthen social bonds among people. Since 2014, Zion has helped to launch or enhance 37 resident-owned businesses, stimulating approximately $1M in economic activity in the area, and served 300 children and families through Zion Early Learning Academy.