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October 2023

 
  In our October newsletter, learn how you can help shape the next 20 years as we commemorate our 20th Anniversary. We also explore housing affordability in an update to the Arizona Progress Meters, learn about adult civic engagement education efforts, and share invites to upcoming events.  
 

 
  20th Anniversary Celebrates Shared Success and Impact
Oct. 25, 2023, Proclaimed Center for the Future of Arizona Day
 
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Pictured: Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs; Arizona Treasurer Kimberly Yee with CFA's Chair, President & CEO Dr. Sybil Francis, and ASU President Dr. Michael Crow; Visionary Presenting Sponsor Sharon Dupont McCord and Dr. Sybil Francis; Helios Education Foundation President and CEO and CFA board member Paul Luna; Bright Future Sponsor and The Burton Family Foundation Co-Founder Christine Burton and Dr. Sybil Francis.
 
Yesterday, Center for the Future of Arizona (CFA) held its 20th Anniversary Celebration, a testament to two decades of shaping a stronger and brighter future for our state. The event brought together leaders, partners, and change-makers to celebrate CFA's unwavering commitment to Arizonans and data-driven action guided by The Arizona We Want.
 
Governor Katie Hobbs spoke at the event sharing her support, "At its core, Center for the Future of Arizona is not driven by politics or partisan agendas but by people." In addition, she declared October 25, 2023, Center for the Future of Arizona Day. The proclamation celebrates CFA's 20 years of "visionary leadership," of "fostering a resilient and dynamic Arizona," and of "committing to bringing people together to build a stronger and brighter future."
 
   Get the full recap of the eventful celebration    
 
Now, more than ever, we can take charge of Arizona's future and are deeply grateful for partners joining our mission. Thank you to our 20th Anniversary sponsors who turned vision into reality and event speakers whose testimonials prove they care deeply about Arizona's future. In addition, a heartfelt thank you to staff, board members, collaborators, and advisors who have and continue to journey at our side.
 
While the celebration ends, our work continues.
Help shape the next 20 years:
 
  Subscribe To Our Newsletter   Share The Arizona We Want with Others   Invest in Arizona's Future   Partner with CFA  
 
 

 
  Creating The Arizona We Want: Read Our 2022 Annual Report
 
 
 
We are proud to share CFA’s latest Annual Report showcasing recent strides in fulfilling our mission. The new report includes noteworthy achievements, program and initiative updates, audited financials, and other developments from the 2022 fiscal year.
 
   Download the report   
 

 
Arizona Progress Meters: Housing Affordability
  Housing affordability is not just a buzzword; it's crucial to our quality of life. It ensures essential workers don't endure grueling commutes, that all our neighbors have secure housing, and that our communities remain diverse and rich in culture.
 
The pursuit of affordable housing is a challenge for many, giving rise to growing concerns among Arizonans. Despite steady income increases, the cost of homes in the state has surged dramatically. A clear example is Phoenix, where incomes rose by 43 percent between 2016 and 2022, but house prices increased by 76 percent during the same period. It can seem like a race where the finish line continually shifts, leaving folks understandably concerned.
 
A resounding 80 percent of Arizona voters across all age groups and political affiliations are concerned about rising house prices and rents. The impact is more than numbers and data; it touches the lives of workers across the state–including teachers, nurses, firefighters, retail and tech workers, and recent college graduates– who are finding it increasingly challenging to afford homes in the communities they serve or grew up in.
 
Read the latest data update and analysis on housing affordability. This data is included in the Arizona Young Talent Progress Meters, which addresses issues identified as top priorities by young Arizonans. These concerns encompass mental healthcare, cost of living, cost of housing, quality of higher education, and various other topics – areas to address to keep our talented Arizonans contributing to Arizona for years to come.
 

 
In the Community
 
  CFA Receives $1.5 Million Grant from the U.S. Department of Education to Transform Civic Education
 
School Participatory Budgeting
Pictured: Students announcing School Participatory Budgeting at their school.
 
CFA received the American History and Civics National Activities discretionary grant from the U.S. Department of Education, an award of $1.5 million spanning over three years. This investment is set to catapult our School Participatory Budgeting (SPB) program into a sustainable beacon for civic education in Arizona and beyond, ultimately expanding access to high-quality civic learning- preparing young people who are informed, equipped, and empowered to lead into the future.
 
CFA will continue to work closely with the Participatory Governance Initiative in ASU's School of Public Affairs.
 
   Learn more about the grant   
 

 
 
  CFA Gift From Cox Charities
 
 
 
Aaron Ball & Lisa Lovallo
Pictured: Aaron Ball, Director, College & Career Pathways, Liaison Southern Arizona, representing CFA at Cox Charities‘ ceremony with Lisa Lovallo, Vice President & Market Leader, Cox Communications.
 
Cox Charities donated a gift to CFA to support Arizona Pathways to Prosperity (APTP) in Pima, Cochise, and Pinal Counties for the 2023-24 academic year.
 
This funding will make a significant impact by offering K-12 students access to high-quality, career-connected activities, facilitating educator externships to empower educators, and uniting regional industry leaders, post-secondary institutions, and K-12 partners to create and implement college and career pathways within schools across Pima, Cochise, and Pinal counties.
 
Our partnership with Cox Charities and K-12 schools drives the advancement of regional and state economic diversification and enhances competitiveness, ultimately strengthening the foundation of our communities.
 
 

 
  Arizona Personalized Learning Network: Advancing Education for All Students
 
2023 Aurora Institute Symposium Presenters
Pictured: 2023 Aurora Institute Symposium presenters
 
Peter Boyle, Senior Director of Education at CFA, recently participated in the 2023 Aurora Institute Symposium in Palm Springs, CA. This event was a collaboration between KnowledgeWorks and our school district partners, including Amphitheater Public Schools, Mesa Public Schools, Santa Cruz Valley Unified School District, and Yuma Union High School District. They shared insights into Arizona's Personalized Learning Network (APLN) and its impact on over 85,000 students in our state.
 
   Learn how APLN bridges competency-based learning   
 
 

 
  Empowering Arizona: Civic Education Program to Inform and Engage Community Members
 
As we near an important election year, Arizona Civic Exchange-CivEX from the Flinn Foundation– and the Sandra Day O’Connor Institute want Arizonans to understand their rights and responsibilities and encourage active participation in civic life. They’re launching a program designed for adults who might have missed out on a thorough civics education during their school years. Strong civic engagement leads to better employment rates, improved schools, enhanced physical health, and more responsive governments in our communities. Plus, it’s a Shared Public Value of Arizonans.
 
Their resources are free and can be accessed from the comfort of your home at your own pace – check it out!
 
   Learn more about upcoming sessions   
 
 

 
Upcoming Events
  Join the Conversation on Demographics and Voting Patterns of Independent Voters
November 1, 2023 | Arizona State University, Tempe Campus
 
ASU's Center for an Independent and Sustainable Democracy (CISD) invites you to their three-part election education workshop, “Who is the independent voter?” where they will discuss independent voters' demographics, their impact on elections, and their voting patterns.
 
Attendees will have the opportunity to receive a complimentary copy of the thought-provoking book "Independent Voter" authored by Thom Reilly, Jacqueline Salit, and Omar Ali.
 
   Register today and be part of the conversation    
 

 
Save the Date: Arizona Healthcare Workforce Summit 2024
April 4-5, 2024 | ASU Scottsdale Innovation Center - Scottsdale, AZ
 
After astounding success in its inaugural year and desire to continue, the Arizona Healthcare Workforce Summit will return in 2024! If you haven’t been able to join in, you don’t want to miss it. Hear from engaging speakers and project leaders about strategies, workforce outcomes and impact, and plans for future sustainability. Share ideas, connect, and collaborate with colleagues.
 
   For inquiries, reach out to our APTP team   
 

 
In the News
 
Catch up with recent news about CFA, our partners, and the priorities of Arizonans:
 
 
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Center for the Future of Arizona's 20th Anniversary Builds Momentum to Achieve The Arizona We Want
 
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Governor Katie Hobbs proclaims Oct. 25, 2023, Center for the Future of Arizona Day
 
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AZ Big Media, Arizona's economic future depends on increasing education after high school
 
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Greater Phoenix in Business, Arizona Career Development Group Strengthens Advocacy for Education Attainment
 
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Yuma Sun, Cibola students reflect on Yuma County Public Works event
 
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Yuma Sun, YUHSD's first-ever Work Leadership Alliance
 
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ASU Now, Respected professionals join new School of Public Affairs Advisory Board
 
 
 

 
 
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