The Giving Tree Outreach Program

The GIVING TREE OUTREACH PROGRAM is a non-profit organization focused on breaking the cycle of homelessness and poverty - especially for children. We are committed to helping homeless and needy children, families, elderly and disabled individuals.

Description:
The Giving Tree Outreach Program is an all volunteer organization. We operate numerous programs to serve the homeless and underprivileged of Tucson. These programs include family community faith center, 3 transitional housing facilities: Grace Home for mothers and children, Lighthouse for fathers and children, and Promise Home, an intergenerational home.

The Grace Home houses mothers and their children who might otherwise be homeless or in abusive circumstances. It has long been a dilemma for fathers and their children to find housing where they may stay together as a family. The Giving Tree's Lighthouse was opened for just such families. Residents receive much nurturing in addition to life's basics of food, clothing and shelter. These homes often create a first-time positive experience in the lives of these children and their parents.

Project FEED (Feed Everyone Every Day) operates a biweekly feeding program (Thursday and Sunday) for anyone in need. The program provides hot meals, food boxes, and clothing - as well as personal and spiritual guidance, referrals for housing, shelters, crisis centers and individual assistance for job placement. 200 people now attend that event on both Thursday and on Sunday evenings.

We have expanded our feeding program to include Fellowship and Food which takes place on Tuesday evenings at The Compassion Hope Center. It is a simple meal of soup and sandwiches, but our "guests" (homeless, needy) are invited to sit around a table family style and be served. Most homeless families never get to experience this.

Gaining Employment and Respect (GEAR) helps the hardest to place find living wage employment to stabilize their lives, living conditions and families. Clients receive continued support after successfully obtaining employment which further secures their success.

The Giving Tree programs also provide tutoring, mentoring, Summer Feeding Program for the kids on reduced fee or free school meals, transportation to/from school or doctor appointments - to name but a few.

We would love to count you among our volunteers! Call or email us today. You have gifts and talents that would mean the world to someone. You can be the difference in someone's life.

Contact people:

Libby Wright, Director, (520) 320-KIDS(5437), (email)
Rodney Williams, Operations Manager, (520) 320-5437, (email)

Office fax number: (520) 881-2271

Languages Spoken: English

Address:

929 N. Swan
Tucson, AZ 85711
(See a map)

Web Site: http://TheGivingTreeOutreach.org

Directions:

The Giving Tree offices are located at 929 N. Swan, Tucson, AZ 85711. Our phone number is 520-320-5437.
Nearest Bus Stop: On eastside Broadway/Niven, 1 minute walk

Last updated on October 21, 2009

Overall Experience Experience rating

Wonderful and Very rewarding - Great Experience for the whole family

We decided for our Christmas in 2004 that we wanted to spend it in giving to others. We researched opportunities throughout the western United States, before we settled on the giving tree and Libby Wright. Libby was so enthusiastic and helpful. We has a famuily could not have had a more rewarding experience. We spent 10 days over Christmas serving the great people in Tucson. From wrapping gifts, feeding the less fortunate, contruction projects, ,picking up items of donation, delivering goods - the list goes on and on. We was able to provide a Christmas dinner at the Grace Home and allow the year round volunteers to spent the day with their families. Our family benefited in many ways from this experience and grew closer together as a result. We will be back again in 2005 and will have some friends traveling with us.
posted by bellbr on October 28, 2005

Overall Experience Experience rating

Very Informal and Very Rewarding

My husband and I try to go every Sunday to the feeding lot on 22nd St. It's a great way to volunteer. You can bring food, clothes or just a smile and lend a hand. If anyone out there is affliated with a restaurant and/or catering business, please consider donating your left-overs to this cause.
posted by ErinF on March 20, 2005

Overall Experience Experience rating

Have been searching for a smaller agency that works with abused/ neglected children as they have a special place in my heart.

Giving Tree Outreach Program does great work. Enjoy being involved with the feeding program on Sunday nights, both cooking for the people & serving them. My husband & I are also involved with them by collecting items on their wish list during the month as we are able, and then taking them to Libby for the Grace Home. I enjoy a good shopping/bargain hunting challenge & it makes me very happy to be able to give to others this way. I am looking forward to getting to know some of the other volunteers & becoming more involved with this agency in any way that we can help.
posted by dpinnell on September 27, 2004

Agency Details: