COMMUNITY NEWS & RESOURCES

• Program details and applications begin at TucsonPimaEP.com
• For those without internet access or smartphones call: 831-292-4308
• Bi-lingual case managers and application materials available to help navigate the application process.
• This collaborative approach allows multiple community benefits, most importantly a single set of qualifications and requirements across all of Pima County geographies.
• The program also allows for dual enrollment in the program. Both Tenants and Landlords/Property Managers on behalf of Tenants may begin the application process.
• Funding requests for unpaid rent and utilities in arrears 12 months and three months in advance to assure stable homes

 

COVID-19 Vaccination Update 

COVID-19 VACCINATION UPDATE – COVID-19 vaccines are available to anyone 12 years old and up at Pfizer sites in Tucson and Pima County. A parent or guardian must be present to provide consent for their minor child to get the vaccine. Sites with the Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccines are open to those at least 18 years old. The Arizona Department of Health Services has an interactive map with vaccine distribution sites. So far, more than 3.18 million people in Arizona, or 44.3% of the population, have received at least one dose of the vaccine, and more than 2.67 million people are fully vaccinated with both doses.

12 to 15 years old adolescents can be vaccinated with Pfizer, but parents must be present to consent. Link to all COVID-19 vaccination sites:  Pima County COVID-19 Vaccination Sites Updated daily! Call me at 520-724-7861 or email at dixie.siegel@pima.gov for more information.

 

Calling all boys and young men!

This goes out to all the singers, songwriters, dancers, steppers, choreographers, rappers, artists, whatever you got, bring it!  Let’s build together.  Siloam Christian Church has started a new Performing Arts Ministry lead by Bros. David Kamara and Aaron Scott.  Our mission is to provide mentorship and serve as positive male role models through teaching and nurturing creative expression. Our vision is to build a citywide performing arts team made up of boys and young men. All gifts and talents are welcome from beginner to advanced, singers, songwriters, dancers, steppers, choreographers, rappers, artists, whatever you got, bring it! Let’s build together. We are currently preparing for a step show at the end of the school year to celebrate graduation/promotion. We practice every Sunday from 2:00pm – 4:00pm on the basketball court at Siloam Christian Church, 628 E Adams St. Tucson, AZ. 85705. If you or somebody you know is interested, please reach out or just come on down to practice. David’s phone number is (401) 286-9763 or you can reach my via email: david.milton.kamara@gmail.com.

 

Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program (VITA) IS VIRTUAL THIS YEAR

United Way of Tucson and Southern Arizona has teamed up with www.GetYourRefund.org/uwtsa to help you file your taxes online with the help of certified VITA volunteers.  How it works:

1. You’ll be asked a series of questions about your household and finances.
2. Securely upload pictures of your tax documents, social security card/ITIN, photo ID and picture of yourself holding your ID.
3. An IRS-certified volunteer will call to make sure that we have everything we need to accurately prepare your tax return.
4. To ensure accuracy and give you the best refund possible, each tax return goes through a quality review process with a second IRS-certified volunteer.
5. Another IRS-certified volunteer will call to review your final tax return information. After the call, you’ll be sent a password-protected, electronic copy of your tax returns to e-sign. With these signatures, we can E-File your Federal and State returns.
6. After your returns are E-filed, all you have to do is wait for your refund to arrive! If you have questions after filing, we are available to help! Contact: Vita@UnitedWayTucson.org.

 

The Tucson Urban League

The Tucson Urban League has been reactivated and their office is in the Dunbar Pavilion, 325 West 2nd Street, Tucson, AZ 85705. Dr. DaMond T. Holt is Chairman of the Board.

CARES ACT FUNDS HELP TUCSON COMMUNITY DURING PANDEMIC

The Tucson Mayor and Council took swift action last year to distribute the $95.6 million in federal COVID-19 relief funding to shore up City services and assist struggling Tucsonans through the We Are One I Somos Uno program. In an effort to create transparency, the City has created an easy-to-use website to illustrate how funding was distributed. This information includes a breakdown of how $51.6 million was allocated to directly support the community, including aid for small businesses, families, entertainment venues, and much more. The information on the site is updated regularly as additional information becomes available and new federal funding is received. You can track the spending by following the link below. CARES Act spending

 

Good information about the many Partners with the Pima County CAA program

UPDATED INFORMATION:
• Employment Help for those who have been laid off or lost job (Dislocated Worker):  DW HOTLINE: 724-5735
• Rental, mortgage, utility assistance: CAA number 724-2667:  Must call between 8:30-10:30 am M-F
Client needs to keep dialing until they get through.
When they get through, they can make an appointment to do an application.
This number is to make an appointment for help with rent or mortgage and utilities.
If the family is Covid-19 impacted and have made an application already, they can call 724-2505 to check on the status of their application or get information message. No applications taken at that number.

 

Arizona Department of Housing

(Eviction Prevention for rents, Save our home for mortgages) https://housing.az.gov/

 

TMA is a monthly alliance of Tucson ministries

Addressing a different topic each month, bringing in local expertise, and providing practical ways individuals and congregations can be part of the solution. We meet the second Tuesday of each month from 11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. at GAP Ministries near Miracle Mile and Flowing Wells. Lunch is included for those who preregister. Cost is $10.

 

Pima County African American Caucus Meetings

Are open to all. Please join us every 3rd Saturday of each month at Grace Temple Baptist Church, 1019 E. 31st Street, Tucson, AZ at 10:00 a.m. The goal of the Pima Country African American Caucus is to increase engagement of African Americans and people of African descent in the political process through various avenues including organizing neighborhoods and running for office. It also serves as a voice within the Democratic Party to ensure the party remains active in our communities on local and state levels. For more information, please contact Caucus Chairperson Connie DeLarge, cydelarge@att.net.

 

I’m Not What It Says I Am

Helping Heterosexuals deal with HIV/AIDS meets every 2nd Thursdays at 3202 E. First Street, 7:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Please call Tina at (520) 302-9239 or Nika at (520) 278-9358 or go to www.facebook/I’mnotwhat.itsaysiam.”

 

Tucson Branch NAACP: 

Due to the constraints of the Covid-19 pandemic, meetings will be virtual until further notice. Our monthly members’ meetings are conducted on Zoom every 2nd Monday from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 pm (unless otherwise announced). The Zoom link is emailed out in advance of each meeting. We are looking for new members, and the annual membership fee for an individual adult is only $30.00. We need an army of volunteers to join the fight for freedom and justice for all Americans! To become a member, fill out an application and submit your payment at https://www.naacptucson.com/membership-application. You can also make your check payable to the NAACP and mail it to NAACP Membership, P.O. Box 50894, Tucson, AZ 85703.

 

Prayer Line:

Pastor Alma Jones is the founder and director of “Home Churches” for Christ Outreach Ministry. They meet through phone conferencing call. Visit their Website: homechurchesforchristoutreachministry.wordpress.com.

Dr./Pastor Alma Howard-Jones is a prayer moderator for Bible Way Ministries, located in Atlanta, GA. She co-hosts prayers for families every Saturday at 4:00 p.m. MST and leads prayer every Sunday afternoon at 3:00 p.m. MST praying for “America, the nations and for the souls of men” and Wednesday at 3:00 p.m. MST Bible Revelation. The numbers for these prayer lines: 1- 605-475-3235 or 1-530-881-1042 access code 153465#. Land lines may be used for these long-distance calls; to avoid extra fees charged by cell phone carriers call 425-535-9152 and follow the prompts. There are openings for Christians who would like to moderate a 15 – 30 minutes phone conference call prayer line.  Any questions, please call Pastor Alma at (520) 429-3806.

 

Radio Show:

KXCI 91.3 on your FM dial plays good Gospel music from 5:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. every Sunday morning. They are asking churches and businesses to mail your letters of announcements directly to them and support with your prayers and financial donations. Please send all correspondence or donations to KXCI Community Radio, 220 South 4th Avenue, Tucson, AZ 85701 or call (520) 623.1000.

 

FOOD BANKS:

New Jerusalem MBC is in partnership with the Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona. They have a joint effort and commitment to feeding America one household, neighborhood and one community at a time. They offer food boxes every Friday from 9:00 am until 10:30 am. at New Jerusalem MBC is located at 1341 S. Tyndall Ave.

 

Bright Star Food Pantry

Every 3rd Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. at Rising Star MBC, 2800 E. 36th Street, Tucson, AZ. All are welcome!

 

GAP MINISTRIES WAREHOUSE

FOOD BOXES: FREE from federal government
Includes milk, yogurt, cheese == These ingredients need to be refrigerated.
Other ingredients in the boxes do not need to be refrigerated.
Can be picked up From COMMUNITY WAREHOUSE on
Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday From 9:00 am to 3:00 pm
Pick up of 10 or more boxes please call ahead so they can prep your order.
Jerry: 520-704-4666

GAP Ministries Warehouse
8621 N. flowing Wells Rd., Suite 161
Tucson,

Driving Directions:
• Take Miracle Mile exit from I-10
• Go to intersection of Miracle Mile and Flowing Wells Rd.
• Turn right onto Flowing Wells Rd.
• Gap is south of Miracle Mile on Flowing Wells Rd.
• Small sign. But GAP Warehouse is in large warehouse park set back from Flowing Wells Rd.
No public bus lines to the warehouse.

 

Senior Lunch Grab and Go Programs

All community and senior centers in the City of Tucson and Pima County:

Ajo Community Center
590 E 5th St.
Ajo, AZ 85321
(520) 387-6641

Casa Community Center/Green Valley
780 S Park Center Ave
Green Valley, AZ 85629
(520) 393-6814

El Pueblo Center 
101 W Irvington Rd
Tucson, AZ 85714
(520) 791-5155

Ellie Towne Center
1600 W Ruthrauff Rd
Tucson, AZ 85705

El Dorado Center/TMC for seniors
1400 N Wilmot Rd
Tucson, AZ 85712

Quincie Douglas Center
1575 E 36th St
Tucson, AZ 85713

Archer Community Center
1665 S La Cholla
(520) 7914353

Armory Park Center
220 S 5th Ave
Tucson, AZ 85701
(520) 791-4865

Clements Center
8155 E Poinciana Dr
Tucson, AZ 85730
(520) 791-4730

Donna R Liggens Center
2160 N 6th Ave
Tucson, AZ 85705
(520) 791-3247

El Rio Center
1390 W Speedway
Tucson, AZ 85745
(520) 791-4683

Freedom Park Center
5000 E 29th St
Tucson, AZ 85711
(520) 791-2507