2017
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR DESCRIBES
EXPLOSIVE GROWTH FOR NORTHWEST VALLEY CONNECT
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he year 2016 was only the second full year of operation for Northwest Valley Connect, but the growth of the agency has been anything but ordinary. “We had 1,457 calls to our Call Center in 2015, but nearly 4,000 calls in 2016,” says Kathy Chandler, Executive Director and Mobility Manager of Northwest Valley Connect (NVC). “It’s been hard to keep up and be responsive to the many people who need our services.
If it weren’t for some highly talented and hard-working volunteers, both in the Call Center and as volunteer drivers, we likely would have come up short.” Transportation remains the top challenge for seniors living in the Northwest Valley who live at home but no longer drive. They still need to get to doctors’ appointments, grocery shopping and social activities. Public transportation is limited and without agencies like NVC the
homebound and those with mobility disabilities would not have many options. It was seeing this need that motivated area nonprofits Benevilla and Sun Health to form NVC in early 2014. The Call Center was stationed in a few cubicles at Benevilla until, in August of 2016, the agency leased a building from the Sun City’s Lions Foundation at 9445 N. 99th Avenue in Sun City. “This ‘Motors and Meals’ event is so important for us,”
notes Ms. Chandler. “It allows us to partner with several high profile businesses in the community and to tell our story to a broader audience. It also allows us to raise much-needed funds so we can hire part-time dispatchers for our Call Center and add other key staff to make us a more efficient and effective agency. The additional funds will be a blessing.” Lastly, adds Chandler, “We always need more volunteers to help in the Call Center, usually fourhour shifts, and to drive for some of our trips. Please call me personally at (623) 282-9304 if you are interested in either of these opportunities.”
Kathy Chandler KATHY CHANDLER EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, NORTHWEST VALLEY CONNECT
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THANK Y O U for your support! Northwest Valley Connect is funded by grants and donations, along with the proceeds from our Motors and Meals event. Become a NVC Donor/ Partner by making a donation on the website, sending a check to NVC, PO Box 9303, Surprise, AZ 85374 or calling 623-282-9300. NVC is a Qualified Charitable Organization, so your donation is eligible for a the Arizona Tax Credit. NVC also takes donations of cars, trucks, boats, golf carts and motorcycles.
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SPONSORS & UNDERW R I T ERS: PREMIUM SPONSORS
Sun Health Independent News Media GOLD SPONSORS
Benevilla Birt & Louisa Kellam LEVEL A UNDERWRITERS
LEVEL B UNDERWRITER AmTrust Bank
LEVEL C UNDERWRITERS FirstLight Home Care SunWest Federal Credit Union Champs Family Automotive Parks & Sons of Sun City ARC of Sun City West
EPCOR Total Transit APS DMB/Marley Park Recreation Centers of Sun City West
NORT H W E ST VA LL EY CONNECT BOA R D OF DIR ECTORS Bonnie Boyce-Wilson, Chair Tom Profico, Vice-Chair Frank Joyce, Secretary/Treasurer Courtney Allen Jennifer Drago
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Dana Evens Linda Ford Ron Guziak Sharon Hettick Joanne Thomson
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FROM THE DIRECTOR: KATHY CHANDLER ABOUT NORTHWEST VALLEY CONNECT NORTHWEST VALLEY CONNECT CONDUCTS ‘DRIVE’ FOR VOLUNTEERS NORTHWEST VALLEY CONNECT CLIENT LOVES THE GROUP TRIPS
MOTORS AND MEALS EVENT MAP BOARD CHAIR EXTENDS THANKS AND DEEP APPRECIATION
SUN CITY WEST RECREATION CENTER
AUTOMOTIVE/RESTORATION CLUB OF SUN CITY WEST
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EVENT INFORMATION
Produced and Published in conjunction with ROX Media, LLC | 844.729.9769 | roxmediagroup.net Every effort is made to make this publication as accurate as possible. Northwest Valley Connect and ROX Media LLC. & affiliated companies (collectively, the “Publishers”) will assume no responsibility for errors, changes or omissions. No portion of this publication may be reproduced in any way without the express written permission of the Publishers. The Publishers make no endorsement, representation or warranty regarding any goods or services advertised in this publication. Unless otherwise noted, all images are courtesy of Northwest Valley Connect. Advertisements are provided by the subject companies and the Publishers shall not be responsible or liable for any inaccuracy, omission or infringement of any third party’s rights therein, or for personal injury or any other damage or injury whatsoever. Copyright 2017. All rights reserved.
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ABOUT NORTHWEST VALLEY CONNECT
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orthwest Valley Connect (NVC) is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to provide personalized support to connect seniors and people with disabilities with available transportation services, while developing new transportation options to overcome existing service gaps. Formed by local nonprofits Sun Health and Benevilla, NVC’s vision is to advocate, facilitate and coordinate accessible, adequate transportation
OUR SERVICES
services in the northwest region of the Phoenix metropolitan area, thereby promoting quality of life among the residents we serve. NVC is professionally managed, using a trained dispatcher and transportation software to ensure efficiency of operations and trips. NVC serves the West Valley communities of Sun City, Sun City West, Surprise, El Mirage, Youngtown, Peoria, Goodyear, Avondale, and Tolleson as well as neighboring unincorporated areas of Maricopa County.
CALL–CLICK–CONNECT
RIDE CONNECT
NVC helps connect seniors and people with disabilities with available public, private and volunteer transportation resources based on their individual needs. Personalized assistance and support are available by contacting our Call–Click–Connect center at (623) 282-9300. Area transportation resources are also listed on our website at NorthwestValleyConnect.org.
NVC coordinates a volunteer-based transportation service called Ride Connect. Rides are provided by caring volunteers who donate their time and provide door-through-door service to medical appointments, banks, hair salons, social activities and more. Riders are asked to help cover the cost of their ride with a donation.
GROUP CONNECT
TAXI CONNECT
NVC coordinates group trips and social outings to places like the mall, baseball games, restaurants, movies and more. Participants pay a nominal fee to cover the trip costs. A schedule of upcoming Group Connect trips may be found on the NVC website or by calling (623) 282-9300.
North westV alleyCo nnec
t.org (623) 2 82-930 0
NVC offers free taxi rides for low income participants. Our program currently serves a limited geographic area and we hope to expand in the future. A qualification process is required. As the Taxi Connect program is grant and foundation-funded, there are a limited number of rides available at any given time. Please contact (623) 282-9300 for more information on availability and the qualification process.
(623) 282-9300 VISIT
NVC
ONLINE
AT
NORTHWESTVALLEYCONNECT.ORG
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to Northwest Valley Connect
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I have lots of doctors’ appointments, and I don’t drive, so transportation is my biggest challenge. My insurance covered some initial rides to and from the Phoenix VA but that benefit ran out, leaving me to find some alternatives. I called Northwest Valley Connect and talked to their volunteer dispatcher, Mickey, and my transportation problems were quickly behind me. Mickey has been so kind and helpful and keeps me posted about the status of my many requests. She is highly competent and speaking to her is the highlight of my day!
“
- Charlie, U.S. Air Force Veteran
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From
Birt and Louisa Kellam { MOTORS AND MEALS // 2017 }
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Do you need some extra help caring for your loved one? Could you use a break just to catch your breath?
You take care of them... Let Benevilla’s Life Enrichment Program take care you.
NORTHWEST VALLEY CONNECT CONDUCTS ‘DRIVE’ FOR VOLUNTEERS
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orthwest Valley Connect (NVC) has a volunteer driver program to serve West Valley residents when current transportation services in the area cannot meet their needs. However, more rides have been requested than NVC can provide with the current number of volunteers. NVC is looking for drivers in the Northwest Valley as well as Goodyear and Litchfield Park. NVC is recruiting volunteers for the following positions: • Drivers: (Area of greatest need) Drive your own vehicle or one of ours. By volunteering to drive, you give the gift of mobility to an older adult or person with a disability. You will provide door-through-door transportation with flexible hours on a schedule that works for you. • Call Center Operators: Answer calls and provide personalized assistance in our call center. Provide information about available transportation services in the area to link callers to available transportation services. Provide warm transfers to connect callers to transportation partners. Four-hour shifts are available. • Marketing: Work from home putting together reports, newsletters, delivering brochures and more. • Ambassadors: Hand out brochures and speak to groups about NVC and its programs.
To volunteer or for more information, contact Kathy Chandler at (623) 282-9300 or kchandler@northwestvalleyconnect.org.
For 35 Years, Benevilla has offered home-like day programs, specially designed to best serve your needs. Please call 623-584-4999 for a Tour or visit www.Benevilla.org for more information.
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NORTHWEST VALLEY CONNECT CLIENT LOVES THE GROUP TRIPS
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nown as “Mary from New York City” to her many friends, Sun City resident Mary McFadden enjoys her relationship with Northwest Valley Connect and the weekly group trips that the nonprofit agency offers to its clients. “I sign up for as many as I can,” says McFadden. “I don’t really care where we’re going—the mall, the casino, a local festival or the occasional out-of-town day trips—I’m ready to go and enjoy a day away from my home.” McFadden has been a resident of Sun City for about eight years, having moved here from New York City to be near her daughter. She enjoys overall good health, but is limited in her mobility by some arthritis in her left hip and leg, making a walker necessary to travel about her home and participate in outside activities. She no longer drives, which is how she came to know Northwest Valley Connect and to sign up us a regular client. Her basic transportation needs, like doctors’ appointments, shopping and social functions, are handled by a host of friends, but it’s the group trips for which she relies on Northwest Valley Connect. “Our driver is Rich and he really takes care of us,” says McFadden. “He’s a safe driver, courteous and 13
considerate. He’ll drop us off at our destination, allow us the freedom to go our own way, and then come and find us when it’s time to go. He calls us ‘his girls’ and we love it.” “We started the group trips as soon as we purchased our first van,” notes Kathy Chandler, Executive Director, Northwest Valley Connect. “We know how important it is for those who are homebound and those with mobility-limiting disabilities to be able to get out for their favorite social activities. In the next few weeks we’ll be taking delivery of a new 12-passenger vehicle that will triple the number of clients we accommodate on our group trips,” adds Ms. Chandler. “That’s going to make a lot more people happy!” Now in its third year of operation, Northwest Valley Connect has seen an enormous spike in demand for its services.“Transportation remains the #1 challenge for the homebound and we’re working hard to keep up and satisfy the demand,” says Ms. Chandler. “We are staffed primarily by volunteers and are constantly seeking additional friends to either work in the Call Center or serve as volunteer drivers. I can be reached at 623-282-9304 for those interested in helping.”
Sun Health has been helping West Valley residents stay healthy, active and vibrant for more than 50 years through innovative programs and services. Sun Health Foundation is proud to be the exclusive philanthropic partner for Banner Del E. Webb and Banner Boswell medical centers. When you support Sun Health Foundation you are helping to ensure that individuals in your community receive superior health care services. Sun Health Community Wellness provides numerous innovative programs and services, including the Center for Health & Wellbeing, Community Education and Memory Care Navigator. Sun Health Senior Living owns and operates three independent living Life Care communities in Sun City West, Sun City Grand and Litchfield Park. And now with Sun Health at Home, we provide you with the ability to age in place confidently in your own home.
To learn more about Sun Health, our programs and services or how you can make a charitable donation, call or click today: 623-832-5350 | SunHealth.org { MOTORS AND MEALS // 2017 }
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e are a young but very busy nonprofit serving the Northwest Valley in bringing the “joy of mobility” to homebound adults and those with limiting disabilities. Calls to our Center more than doubled from 2015 to 2016, reaching almost 4,000 and keeping our staff and volunteer drivers very busy getting our clients to doctors’ appointments, shopping and social activities. We are hopeful that the proceeds of our “Motors and Meals” event will enable our Executive Director Kathy Chandler to hire some much-needed staff to keep up with the growth and continue the highly personalized and caring approach to our clients. We are especially grateful for the financial support from the sponsors and underwriters of this event, who have guaranteed the success of our fundraiser. We appreciate them so much and want to thank them on behalf of our many clients whose transportation needs will be met more efficiently and effectively.
Bonnie Boyce-Wilson BONNIE BOYCE-WILSON CHAIR, NORTHWEST VALLEY CONNECT BOARD OF DIRECTORS
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SUN CITY
WEST
When it Comes to Water, Our FoCus is Clear.
RECREATION CENTER
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un City West is an active-adult community of some 30,000 residents in the Northwest Valley of Arizona. The Recreation Centers of Sun City West, a nonprofit corporation, operates the community’s seven golf courses, four recreation centers, bowling center, library, Village Store and more. Other amenities include a theater, fitness centers, swimming pools, library, tennis and pickleball courts, a softball field, walking tracks, dog parks, mini-golf courses, racquetball courts, table tennis, bocce, ramadas, a park, lawn bowling, an arcade and more.
Every day we keep you connected to the things that matter. Like clean water for homes, businesses and community parks. At EPCOR Water, being your water utility is more than providing a service. Your community is our home, too, and taking care of our water resources is serious business. With 106 chartered clubs ranging from arts and crafts to sports and hobbies, as well as a host of concerts, live performances, travel films, dances and more held right in the community, the Recreation Centers have something for everyone. Despite the huge array of activities and facilities, annual dues are among the lowest in the country. Individuals looking for a vibrant community where they can excel in a wide range of activities will find Sun City West the perfect place to live.
Learn more about water in your community by visiting epcor.com.
WELCOME TO YOUR PLAYGROUND
ENJOY ARIZONA’S PREMIER 55+ RESORT STYLE COMMUNITY FITNESS CENTERS • BOWLING • SOFTBALL • SWIMMING POOLS PRIVATE LIBRARY • PICKLEBALL READY TO PLAY? VISIT US: SUNCITYWEST.COM The Recreation Centers of Sun City West is a not-for-profit 501c4 Golf Community located in the Northwest Valley of Phoenix, Arizona Social: facebook.com/suncitywest • youtube.com/suncitywestaz
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he Automotive/Restoration Club of Sun City West (ARC) is a 501(c)(3) organization. ARC Members provide many services back to our community and surrounding communities. ARC works with the food pantries, nursing homes, schools, youth programs, local fire protectionand various clubs and other organizations. Our goal has been to serve others. ARC also has a group of members called the ARC Angels. If a resident has a car problem, needs advice, wants an appraisal, or feels they have been taken advantage of by a dealer or service department, we will help them resolve their problem.
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OUR CLUB MEMBERS HAVE A PASSION FOR RESTORING THE PAST AND HELPING OTHERS!
I can help you with your real estate needs in the Sun Cities area!
Jim Musselman, GRI (602) 315-7453
james.musselman@azmoves.com
Owned and operated by NRT, LLC
IT’S TIME TO RIDE H-APP-IER AND SAVE. Get $10 OFF* your first app-booked ride with promo code: RIDE10. Download now at discountride.com and: • Book a Cab, Ride or Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle • Save up to 60% off versus a cab with our Ride option! • Pay with CASH or by CREDIT CARD *Some restrictions apply. See website for details.
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E V E N T INFOR M AT ION FOOD TRUCK S: Burgers Amore Lemongrass Shack Memo’s Bistro
V ENDOR BOOT HS: Mighty Moo Ice Cream Tru BBQ White Eyes Fry Bread
BEER GA R DEN: Crescent Crown Distributing Peoria Artisan Brewery State 48 Brewery
Ability Center Advantage Benefits AZ American Association of University Women AmTrust Bank Automotive/Restoration Club of Sun City West Columbia ParCar Arizona Benevilla Champs Family Automotive Comfort Plus, Inc. Community Fund of Sun City West EPCOR Farmers Insurance – Tone Agency
Golden Assist Senior Placement Hospice Promise Independent News Media KSCW 103.1 FM Northwest Valley Connect Our Neighbor Network Recreation Centers of Sun City West Rick Vierra/Guild Mortgage Sun City West Foundation Sun Health SunWest Federal Credit Union Surprise Honda Total Transit WHAM
A Special Thank You to All the Event Participants!
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PROUD TO CONNECT WITH
OUR COMMUNITY Visit us at:
R A FFLE & SILENT AUCT ION Come and visit the silent auction located across from the beer and wine tasting! The silent auction features lots of great items in all different price ranges, including sports, music and movie memorabilia and much more. We also have a fantastic raffle for many gift baskets filled with goodies including tickets to Arizona Diamondbacks, Desert Botanical Garden and other local events, as well as a wheelbarrow filled with beer and wine! Tickets can be purchased at the raffle table or look for our roaming volunteers! Raffle tickets are $5 each or 5 for $20! All proceeds from the silent auction and raffle benefit Northwest Valley Connect.
ENT ERTA INMENT Northwest Valley Connect wishes to thank our entertainment providers for the Motors and Meals Event:
14543 West Grand Avenue • Surprise • 85374 myNYCB.com • (623) 974-6200
©2017 New York Community Bank – Member FDIC
We are listeners errand runners freedom bathing helpers peace of mind hope mobility masters confidants { caregivers }. Schedule a complimentary consultation today.
623-201-7716
SunCity.FirstLightHomeCare.com
DJ: JEFF WARD FROM START THE PARTY, INC.
www.starttheparty.com
MUSICA L GROU P: KT JAZZ COMBO, LED BY KENNY THAMES
www.kennythamesproductions.com
Refinance your car Refinance yourand car with SunWest with SunWestoffers! and get exclusive get exclusive offers! 29
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Your Community Radio Station Providing a daily voice to the West Valley* with programming that informs and entertains.
GOLDEN OLDIES • BOOMER TUNES SMOOTH JAZZ • COUNTRY • POP SOFT ROCK • EASY LISTENING • CLASSICAL GOSPEL • POLKA • COMMUNITY CHAT
ALSO LISTEN ONLINE!
Growing to Meet Community Health Needs Banner Del E. Webb Medical Center: Progressive Care Unit with Private Rooms Scheduled to open in late 2017, the Progressive Care Unit will provide: • • • •
28 private patient rooms Higher staff-to-patient ratio Lounge for visiting family and friends Private consult room for clinician-family meetings
Sun Health Foundation has committed $5.9M of the estimated $10.9M construction cost. We are asking for community support to bridge the funding gap of $5M. To learn more about the Progressive Care Unit and how your donation can make a difference, visit SunHealthFoundation.org/progress or call 623-832-5330.
SunCityWestRadio.com *KSCW-LP 103.1 FM covers Sun City West, Sun City Grand, Sun City, Corte Bella, { MOTORS AND // 2017and } worldwide through the internet. and parts of Surprise, El MEALS Mirage, Peoria 30
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