Foundation Celebrates “Showdown” Event in June by Pledging to Match Contributions to Educare Arizona; Donors Eligible for Nash-Autographed Prizes
PHOENIX, Arizona (June 1, 2017) — There’s more than one way to provide an assist. Just ask Steve Nash, who is pretty good at it — whether in basketball, soccer or helping children in need.
The Steve Nash Foundation is celebrating its 10th Steve Nash Foundation Showdown event on June 21 in New York City with a local twist, by once again supporting one of Nash’s favorite charitable causes — Educare Arizona, which is providing quality early childhood care and education to hundreds of children in need and their families in our community.
The Foundation has pledged to match any contributions — minimum $13 per donation — through the Foundation to Educare Arizona between June 1 and June 15 up to $10,000.
And as part of the matching challenge, those who donate are eligible to win signed Steve Nash memorabilia — five donors will be randomly selected to receive a prize pack from Educare Arizona, including an autographed Phoenix Suns Steve Nash MVP photo and a soccer ball signed by Nash.
Additionally, the Phoenix Suns are pitching in by donating a signed team basketball and signed Alex Len jersey, which will also be given out as prizes to donors. The Suns are also sharing the contest on their social media feeds as well.
“The work that Educare Arizona is doing, both for the kids and families it serves and for awareness around and training in early childhood education is important and inspiring,” Nash said. “It’s critical that we support children early in life so that they have a better chance of success in the future. I’m proud of my Foundation’s work with Educare Arizona, and I encourage everyone to join us in supporting this great cause.”
Donations can be made through the Steve Nash Foundation’s website at www.stevenash.org/assist/make-a-donation. Donors should select Educare Arizona from the drop-down menu to take part in the matching challenge.
“We are thrilled that the Steve Nash Foundation has once again stepped up to show its support for our work with young children and their families,” said Christine Nowaczyk, Board Chairman of Educare Arizona. “Steve’s support has been invaluable over the years in helping Educare Arizona meet its mission, and we’re excited that the Foundation is offering this challenge to generate even more support from our community. We would also like to thank the Phoenix Suns for their contributions to this effort — they have been a fantastic supporter of Educare Arizona as well.”
Educare Arizona is an extraordinary partnership with the mission of helping children from families struggling with poverty to be healthier, better educated and have a greater chance for success. Educare Arizona’s early childhood education programs, provided in our state-of-the-art Phoenix facility, have already made an impact on more than 1,000 children in our community.
Educare Arizona is a full-day, year-round program for 191 children from birth to five years. It features the best-available, evidence-based strategies for preparing at-risk young children and their families for success in school. The facility is designed to be a Center of Excellence, with programming provided by Southwest Human Development, one of the country’s premier providers of early childhood services. Educare Arizona also supports families as champions for their children’s education.
The 2017 Showdown is the 10th soccer match held by the Steve Nash Foundation to raise funds in support of the charities it supports. It’s an innovative soccer match that any sports fan will love — featuring NBA stars and soccer pros from around the world raising funds for critical needs services for kids, Showdown is the beautiful game at its most creative. It will take place this year on June 21 at Sara D. Roosevelt Park in New York City. Information and tickets are available at www.stevenash.org/showdown.
About the Steve Nash Foundation
The Steve Nash Foundation is a US 501(c)(3) organization and registered Canadian charity dedicated to assisting underserved children in their health, personal development, education and enjoyment of life. For more information about the Foundation and its work, visit www.stevenash.org.
About Educare Arizona
Educare Arizona is a 501(c)(3) public charity working to bring private-public collaboration to bear on children and their families facing the greatest risks. By providing best practices in early learning to at-risk children ages birth to five years, Educare schools across the country are narrowing the achievement gap for low-income families. Each Educare school combines private philanthropy — such as that provided by anchor funders The Steve Nash Foundation, Ibis Foundation of Arizona and the Whiteman Foundation — with available funding from existing federal and state programs to create and deliver the highest quality early learning experience. Learn more at educarearizona.org.
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Contest Rules:
NO PURCHASE OR DONATION NECESSARY TO ENTER OR CLAIM PRIZE. NEITHER A PURCHASE NOR DONATION WILL INCREASE YOUR CHANCES OF WINNING.
- TIMING
The “Steve Nash Educare Arizona Matching Challenge” (“Contest”) begins on June 1, 2017 at 10:00:00 PST (“Contest Start Date”) and ends on June 15, 2017 at 23:59:00 PST (“Contest End Date”) (collectively, “the Contest Entry Period”). The Contest is presented by Educare Arizona (the “Sponsor”) to benefit Educare Arizona through designated contributions to the Steve Nash Foundation (“the Charity”).
- ELIGIBILITY
The Contest is only open to individuals who are at least eighteen (18) years of age at the time of entry. While anyone is free to make a donation to the Charity, residents of certain countries will be unable to enter or participate in the Contest for a variety of reasons, which include local Contest and contest laws and compliance legislation. These countries/provinces are Burma/Myanmar, Cuba, Iran, Libya, North Korea, Sudan, Syria, Quebec, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Qatar, Yemen and all African nations with the exception of South Africa. Other countries are void where prohibited. Entries are limited to individuals only; commercial enterprises and business entities are not eligible. By participating in the Contest, each participant accepts the conditions stated in these Official Rules, agrees to be bound by the decisions of Sponsor and warrants that she/he is eligible to participate in the Contest. Employees, independent contractors, officers, and directors of Sponsor, affiliates, subsidiaries, advertising, promotion, and fulfillment agencies, and legal advisors, and their immediate family members and persons living in the same household, are not eligible to participate in the Contest.
THE CONTEST IS VOID WHERE PROHIBITED OR RESTRICTED BY LAW and is subject to applicable federal, state and local laws and regulations.
- HOW TO ENTER
Participants may enter the Contest by:
- Visiting org (the “Contest Website”) during the Contest Entry Period and making a donation to the Charity of $13 or more by following the on-screen prompts to donate or select a donation item. One entry per donation, regardless of monetary amount; or
- visiting educarearizona.org and submitting a valid email address to Sponsor and Charity.
Donations are charitable contributions and will not be refunded. Participation in the Contest is voluntary and does not require you to purchase anything from Sponsor, nor to make a donation to the Charity. No illegible, incomplete, forged, mechanically reproduced or altered entries will be accepted. By entering, you authorize Sponsor and Charity to contact you via email regarding contest updates, as well as general promotions. Following the Contest End Date, participants may unsubscribe from future emails.
- SELECTION OF WINNER
On or about June 22, 2017 (the “Drawing Date”), Sponsor will select the Contest Winners in accordance with these Contest Rules. The Contest Winners will be selected in a random drawing from all eligible entries received by the Sponsor and Charity during the Contest Entry Period. The selected entrant will be contacted using the email address provided with the entry and may be awarded the prize subject to verification of eligibility and compliance with the terms of these Official Rules. The Contest Winners will be notified by email on or about the Drawing Date, and will have 48 hours to respond with Contest Winner’s mailing address and sizing preferences. Failure by entrant to respond to the initial verification within 48 hours of notification or after three (3) attempts will result in disqualification and Sponsor will select an alternate winner in the same manner. Odds of winning the Contest prize depend on the number of eligible entries received during the Contest Entry Period. In the event that a potential winner is disqualified for any reason, Sponsor will award the applicable prize to an alternate winner.
- VERIFICATION OF WINNER
POTENTIAL CONTEST WINNER(S) IS/ARE SUBJECT TO VERIFICATION BY SPONSOR. SPONSOR’S DECISIONS ARE FINAL AND BINDING IN ALL MATTERS RELATED TO THE ADMINISTRATION, OPERATION, SELECTION OF THE WINNER AND OTHER MATTERS RELATED TO THE CONTEST. Potential winner may be required to complete and return an Affidavit of Eligibility, Release of Liability and Publicity Release (where permitted by law) (collectively, the “Affidavit”) by the date specified by Sponsor, or an alternate potential winner may be selected. In the event: (a) potential winner cannot be reached for whatever reason after a reasonable effort has been exerted or the potential winner notification or Affidavit is returned as undeliverable; (b) potential winner declines or cannot accept, receive or use the prize for any reason; (c) of noncompliance with the above or within any of the aforesaid time periods, (d) potential winner is found to be ineligible to enter the Contest or receive the prize, (e) potential winner cannot or does not comply with the Official Rules, or (f) potential winner fails to fulfill the Affidavit-related obligations, the potential winner shall be disqualified from the Contest and an alternate potential winner may be selected, at Sponsor’s sole discretion, from among the other eligible entries received. Sponsor reserves the right to modify the notification and Affidavit procedures in connection with the selection of alternate potential winner, if any.
- PRIZE
Contest Prize. Five (5) winners of the Contest (the “Contest Winner”) will win a prize package (“Prize”), including:
- A Steve Nash autographed soccer ball, autographed photo, and a t-shirt
- One (1) winner will receive an autographed Phoenix Suns basketball
- One (1) winner will receve an autographed Phoenix Suns jersey
Approximate retail value (“ARV”) of the Contest Prize is $100 each.
Sponsor reserves the right to include additional prizing at its sole discretion. Contest Winner is responsible for reporting and paying all taxes associated with his/her receipt of such prize or donation gift. Contest Winner will not receive the difference between the actual retail value and approximate retail value. No other substitution or transfer of prizes permitted, and prizes cannot be redeemed for cash. Sponsor is responsible only for prize delivery and not prize utility. Prize is non-transferable and no substitution will be made except as provided herein at the Sponsor’s sole discretion. Sponsor reserves the right to substitute the listed prize for one of equal or greater value for any reason. All federal, state, and local tax liabilities, as well as any other costs and expenses not specified herein as being awarded are the sole responsibility of the Contest Winner.
- CONDITIONS
Each entrant agrees to: (a) comply with and be bound by these Official Rules and the decisions of Sponsor which is binding and final in all matters relating to this Contest; (b) defend, indemnify, release and hold harmless the Sponsor, the Charity and their respective parent, subsidiary, and affiliated companies, directors, employees, celebrities, and any other person and organization responsible for sponsoring, fulfilling, administering, advertising or promoting the Contest, and all of their respective past and present officers, directors, employees, agents and representatives (collectively, the “Released Parties”) from and against any and all claims, expenses, and liability, including but not limited to negligence and damages of any kind to persons and property, including but not limited to invasion of privacy (under appropriation, intrusion, public disclosure of private facts, false light in the public eye or other legal theory), defamation, slander, libel, violation of right of publicity, infringement of trademark, copyright or other intellectual property rights, property damage, or death or personal injury arising out of or relating to a participant’s entry, creation of an entry or submission of an entry, participation in the Contest, acceptance, possession, attendance at, defect in, delivery of, inability to use, use or misuse of prize (including any travel or activity related thereto) and/or the broadcast, exploitation or use of entry. Winner acknowledges that all prizes are awarded as-is without warranty of any kind.
- PUBLICITY
Except where prohibited or restricted by law, Contest Winner’s acceptance of prize constitutes the Contest Winner’s agreement and consent for Sponsor, Charity, and any of their designees to use and/or publish winner’s full name, city and state of residence, photographs or other likenesses, pictures, portraits, video, voice, testimonials, biographical information (in whole or in part), and/or statements made by Contest Winner regarding the Contest, Charity or Sponsor, worldwide and in perpetuity for any and all purposes, including, but not limited to, advertising, trade and/or promotion on behalf of Sponsor and/or Charity, in any and all forms of media, now known or hereafter devised, including, but not limited to, print, TV, radio, electronic, cable, or World Wide Web, without further limitation, restriction, compensation, notice, review, or approval.
- GENERAL CONDITIONS
Sponsor Charity and their respective subsidiaries, affiliates, divisions, partners, representatives, agents, successors, assigns, employees, officers and directors shall not have any obligation or responsibility, including any responsibility to award any prize to entrants, with regard to: (a) entries that contain inaccurate information or do not comply with or violate the Official Rules; (b) entries, prize claims or notifications that are lost, late, incomplete, illegible, unintelligible, damaged or otherwise not received by the intended recipient, in whole or in part, due to computer, human or technical error of any kind; (c) entrants who have committed fraud or deception in entering or participating in the Contest or claiming the prize; (d) telephone, electronic, hardware, software, network, Internet or computer malfunctions, failures or difficulties; (e) any inability of the winner to accept the prize for any reason; (f) if a prize cannot be awarded due to delays or interruptions due to Acts of God, natural disasters, terrorism, weather or any other similar event beyond Sponsor’s reasonable control; or (g) any damages, injuries or losses of any kind caused by any prize or resulting from awarding, acceptance, possession, use, misuse, loss or misdirection of any prize or resulting from participating in this Contest or any promotion or prize related activities. Sponsor reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to disqualify any individual it finds to be (a) tampering with the entry process or the operation of the Contest, or with any Website promoting the Contest; (b) acting in violation of the Official Rules; or (c) entering or attempting to enter the Contest multiple times through the use of multiple email addresses or the use of any robotic or automated devices to submit entries. If Sponsor determines, in its sole discretion, that technical difficulties or unforeseen events compromise the integrity or viability of the Contest, Sponsor reserves the right to void the entries at issue, and/or terminate the relevant portion of the Contest, including the entire Contest, and/or modify the Contest and/or award the prize from all eligible entries received as of the termination date.
- LIMITATIONS OF LIABILITY
The Released Parties are not responsible for: (a) any incorrect or inaccurate information, whether caused by entrants, printing errors or by any of the equipment or programming associated with or utilized in the Contest; (b) technical failures of any kind, including, but not limited to malfunctions, interruptions, or disconnections in phone lines or network hardware or software; (c) unauthorized human intervention in any part of the entry process or the Contest; (d) technical or human error in the administration of the Contest or the processing of entries; or (e) any injury or damage to persons or property which may be caused, directly or indirectly, in whole or in part, from entrant’s participation in the Contest or receipt or use or misuse of any prize. If for any reason an entrant’s registration is confirmed to have been erroneously deleted, lost, or otherwise destroyed or corrupted, entrant’s sole remedy is another entry in the Contest. No more than the stated number of each prize will be awarded. This Contest is not sponsored, endorsed, or administered by Facebook.
- DISPUTES
Entrant agrees that: (a) any and all disputes, claims and causes of action arising out of or connected with this Contest, or any prizes awarded, shall be resolved individually, without resort to any form of class action; (b) any and all disputes, claims and causes of action arising out of or connected with this Contest, or any prizes awarded, shall be resolved exclusively by the United States District Court or the appropriate New York State Court located in New York, NY; (c) any and all claims, judgments and awards shall be limited to actual out-of-pocket costs incurred, including costs associated with entering this Contest, but in no event attorneys’ fees; and (d) under no circumstances will entrant be permitted to obtain awards for, and entrant hereby waives all rights to claim punitive, incidental and consequential damages and any other damages, other than for actual out-of-pocket expenses, and any and all rights to have damages multiplied or otherwise increased. SOME JURISDICTIONS DO NOT ALLOW THE LIMITATIONS OR EXCLUSION OF LIABILITY FOR INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES, SO THE ABOVE MAY NOT APPLY TO YOU. All issues and questions concerning the construction, validity, interpretation and enforceability of these Official Rules, or the rights and obligations of the entrant and Sponsor in connection with the Contest, shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York, without giving effect to any choice of law or conflict of law rules (whether of the State of New York or any other jurisdiction), which would cause the application of the laws of any jurisdiction other than the State of New York.
- WINNERS LIST
The first name, last initial, city and state of the winners may be posted and a copy of these Official Rules will be available on the Contest Website shortly following the Drawing Date and for ninety (90) days thereafter.
- SPONSOR
Educare Arizona, 1300 N. 48th Street, Phoenix, Arizona 85004.
Contest Beneficiary: The Steve Nash Foundation. The Steve Nash Foundation is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization, EIN 31-1753206.
- NOTICE
Sponsor reserves the right to prosecute and seek damages against any individual who attempts to deliberately undermine the proper operation of the Contest in violation of these Official Rules and/or criminal and/or civil law.
“Child Development Assistant” Certification Opens Doors for Families in Need
PHOENIX, Arizona (April 5, 2016) — They came to Educare Arizona looking for the best childcare for their young children. But they ended up with so much more.
Educare Arizona’s mission is to provide the highest quality early childhood education to children and families in need — with almost 1,000 Phoenix children served over the past five years. With its emphasis on the best care possible for children ranging from six months to five years, the impact it is having is extraordinary.
But it’s one of the benefits of the program that is making such a difference in the lives of families in central Phoenix. Educare Arizona is also a hub for training educators in early childhood education — its small class sizes and high teacher-to-student ratios means that each class has at least three teachers in the classroom, and sometimes up to five including the teaching candidates and interns. That’s almost unheard of in childcare facilities.
One of the ways Educare Arizona is able to meet its staffing and teaching needs is by training eager individuals for the Child Development Assistant certification, which creates a career path in early childhood education for teachers. To date, 149 people have gone through CDA training at Educare Arizona, and 129 of those are now working in early childhood education.
And perhaps the best part? Of those 149 teachers, 38 were parents of students at Educare Arizona, who found not only the best child care for their kids, but a pathway to a new career that would not have existed for them otherwise.
“There is truly nothing like the CDA program at Educare Arizona, which is already having an extraordinarily positive impact on the community it serves,” said Lisa Fernandez, Chief Development Officer for Educare Arizona. “It’s a 30-week program guided by an experienced mentor, and it’s the equivalent to a program that would take two years at the community college level. We’ve had a 99 percent success rate in helping teachers earn their CDA certification, which is remarkable.”
Nine of the 38 CDA recipients who are parents of Educare Arizona students are currently working within the walls of the facility. Twenty-one of those CDA recipients are working at other early childhood centers throughout the community.
One of the CDA recipients working at Educare Arizona is Esmeralda Retana. She said the training she received changed her life.
“Not only did I gain experience, but I am working toward my Associates in Elementary Education,” she said. “Thanks to the patience and dedication of those involved with this program, my family is getting a better life. They helped me find a passion in teaching and an opportunity to go back and get a degree that will provide a better future.”
The teachers at Educare Arizona are offered tuition assistance if they want to pursue their bachelor’s or master’s degrees. Both ASU and Phoenix College have programs through Educare Arizona where their students can gain valuable experience in early childhood education.
Educare Arizona’s teacher training programs have been so successful that they are being shared with other Educare facilities across the country, something that comes as no surprise to Retana.
“Just the fact of thinking about going back to school scared me, not only because it had been so long since I had been in school, but because I have two children that take up my time,” she said. “But the people at Educare Arizona believed I could do it. I am more than thankful for this program. I wish I could have known about this before, but now is the time – MY TIME – to shine, to show the world that I can do better, because I am better.”
The programmatic training at Educare Arizona is provided by Southwest Human Development, one of the leading providers of early childhood education in the country.
“It’s gratifying to be here every day and see how these professionals are growing and developing into their careers,” Fernandez said. “This is a tremendous opportunity for people in the community to brighten their future and enter into a truly rewarding field.”
Those interested in learning more about the CDA program may contact Lisa Fernandez at Educare Arizona at 602.845.4150 or [email protected].
Educare Arizona Selects Prominent Fundraiser, Campaign Manager for Top Development Role
Lisa Fernandez Named Chief Development Officer for Early Childhood Education Center
Educare Arizona, a Valley non-profit known for its transformational work in early childhood education, today announced Lisa Fernandez will assume the role of Chief Development Officer.
A leading fundraising professional and campaign consultant, Fernandez brings a critical skill set to Educare Arizona. With Fernandez at the helm, Educare Arizona will further strengthen its mission to provide the highest quality early childhood education to children and families in need.
Fernandez’s experience includes serving as Campaign Manager for Phoenix Mayor Greg Stanton’s successful 2015 re-election campaign and for Phoenix Councilwoman Kate Gallego’s campaign in 2013. She also served as a fundraiser and consultant for Congressman Ruben Gallego and for the Arizona Democratic Party.
In her role as Chief Development Officer, Fernandez will continue to move the needle for Educare Arizona, helping to refine and expand its impact and influence. She will be responsible for supporting the Arizona non-profit’s fundraising and private philanthropic outreach, as well as marketing and communications efforts.
“We are very excited to welcome Lisa to Educare Arizona and believe she will be a tremendous asset to the organization,” said Christine Nowaczyk, Chair of Educare Arizona Board of Directors. “Her unique experience in fundraising and her extensive knowledge of the local community will help Educare Arizona expand its contribution to the families it serves.”
Educare Arizona is part of the Educare Learning Network, a collaboration between the Ounce of Prevention and the Buffett Early Childhood Fund. It is the only Educare facility in Arizona, but is one of over 20 facilities nationwide. Educare Arizona supports high-quality early childhood education programming for infants, toddlers and preschoolers, as well as integrated family support. An onsite healthcare facility, the Balsz Educare Arizona Center for Health, provides neighborhood dental, general, and mental health services.
“My search for a chance to challenge myself while having a positive impact on our community landed me at Educare,” Fernandez said. “After meeting the families and seeing the programs in action I can’t imagine a more meaningful opportunity to accomplish these goals. Educare Arizona is a life-changer for so many – I am thrilled to support its work.”
It was a day to say thank you. And at the end of the day, it was another example of a legendary basketball figure making an assist.
On Friday, October 30, more than 125 people came to Educare Arizona to welcome Steve Nash at “Assisting Our Kids: A Special Thank You To Steve Nash.” The event was in recognition to the Steve Nash Foundation’s extraordinary contribution to early childhood education and to Educare Arizona itself.
It was all part of what ended up officially being “Steve Nash Day” in the City of Phoenix and State of Arizona, as declared by Mayor Greg Stanton and Governor Doug Ducey in proclamations presented to Nash at the Educare Arizona event.
Nash visited Arizona to be inducted into the Phoenix Suns Ring of Honor at halftime of the Suns-Trail Blazers game that night.
“It was a truly extraordinary day for all of us who have not only supported Educare Arizona over the years but have admired Steve for all he has done to help kids,” said Christine Nowaczyk, Board President of Educare Arizona. “We were thrilled to have so many people come to our thank-you event — and even more thrilled that Steve provided one more assist to Educare Arizona. On behalf of the Board of Directors of Educare Arizona, we would like to thank Steve for his support.”
“Assisting Our Kids” featured remarks from Nowaczyk as well as other leaders in early childhood education, including Dr. Jeff Smith, Superintendent of the Balsz School District, Jessie Rasmussen of the Buffett Early Childhood Fund and Charlie Joughin of Invest In US. Nash was introduced and presented with the proclamations by good friend LZ Granderson of ABC News.
During his remarks, Nash talked about the value of early childhood education in front of a kindergarten class full of children who benefitted from Educare Arizona.
“To see all these kids that are impacted in such an incredible and meaningful way, it’s something I couldn’t say anything could make us more proud to be a part of for our foundation,” Nash said.
Nash encouraged those in the audience and in the community to support Educare Arizona and early childhood education. Those interested in making a contribution to Educare Arizona may do so at this link.
The event received media coverage from azcentral.com, nba.com and several other local media outlets. It also included a video tribute from Senator John McCain, who thanked Nash for his contributions to the community on and off the court.
Educare Arizona would like to thank those who attended the event on Friday. We hope you enjoyed this special opportunity to pay tribute to someone whose assists are truly making a difference for children and families.
If you were not able to attend and would like to support Educare Arizona, click here to make a contribution.
Educare Arizona congratulates Christine Nowaczyk, chair of the Educare Arizona Board of Directors, for being recognized by the Phoenix Business Journal in the 2015 group of Outstanding Women in Business. This prestigious group includes women “who are trailblazing the Valley’s business community, as mentors and visionaries.” Christine and the other outstanding women will be honored on Monday, March 20th, 2015 at the Omni Scottsdale Resort & Spa at Montelucia.
Christine Nowaczyk leads the corporate banking group at Bank of Arizona, a division of $28 billion regional financial services company, BOK Financial. She holds a bachelor’s degree in finance from the Broad College of Business at Michigan State University where she also earned a varsity letter in Division I women’s softball. Christine has an MBA from Eastern Michigan University and resides in Cave Creek, Arizona with her husband Steve and their two daughters.
Congratulations, Christine!
For more information about the event or to register, please visit the event registration site.