Leader for AZ Women & Children

BELEN GONZALEZ LEADS EFFORTS

TO SUPPORT YOUTH TRANSITIONING

OUT OF FOSTER CARE AND MANAGES

SCHOLAR PROGRAM

Many people have a particular kind of child in mind when they think of “youth development.” It might be a toddler in an early literacy program, an adolescent in a youth sports league or a teenager in counseling following a brush with the law.

Each and every one of these, and countless more, represents youth in Arizona, and Belen Gonzalez has spent her career working to increase opportunities for success for youth at all stages in their lives.

Belen graduated from Arizona State University with a degree in social work before pursuing her Masters in Social Work from the University of Chicago, which is recognized as one of the best schools in the nation for the field. She is also an alumna of Valley Leadership and the National Hispana Leadership Institute.

Her education guided her to a variety of careers serving infants and toddlers, teenagers and teenage parents. She joined the team of the Nina Mason Pulliam Charitable Trust in 2000, where she currently leads the Trust’s efforts to support youth transitioning out of foster care and manages the Legacy Scholars program, which provides long-term support for individuals who face barriers to entering higher education. In addition to her professional accomplishments, Belen has established herself as a leader in Arizona’s philanthropic community. She was one of the founders of the Latina Giving Circle, a fund of the Arizona Community Foundation.

The Latina Giving Circle exists so that all members of the community may support its work to empower women and girls through collective and strategic grantmaking. To learn more about the Latina Giving Circle’s activities and priorities, CLICK HERE.  

Latinos Unidos

Through strategic partnerships with donors and the broader community, the Arizona Community Foundation’s Latinos Unidos initiative strives to increase Latino participation and leadership in philanthropy and boost the effectiveness of Arizona’s Latino-led nonprofit organizations. This is an effort by Latinos, for Latinos, with support from those who believe in the potential  of Latinos – regardless of race or background. If you would like to get involved, you can make an online donation or contact Tony Banegas to learn how you can contribute your time and talents.

To email Tony, CLICK HERE. 

PHOTO AND STORY COURTESY THE ARIZONA COMMUNITY FOUNDATION