Celebrating Community and Partnership at Carl Hayden’s Partner Appreciation Breakfast 

PHOENIX, AZ – July 30, 2025 

At New Pathways Youth, we know that partnerships aren’t just built in moments of struggle — they’re also nurtured in moments of celebration. Every relationship we cultivate is done with deep intention and gratitude for the schools that welcome us as trusted allies. These partnerships create space for us to build new mentoring relationships, engage volunteers, support caregivers, and show youth the possibilities that come with joining our Level Up program. 

In the spring of 2025, our team — Youth Enrollment Manager Nina Franco, Youth Enrollment Coordinator Julian Arvizu, and Director of Programs Alejandra Ruiz — joined the Partner Appreciation Breakfast at Carl Hayden Community High School. The event, organized by school staff and led by Dr. Julio Rubio and also by social worker Jaxinta Shaffer, brought together community partners who share a commitment to helping students thrive. 

While our connection with Carl Hayden started years ago, it began to truly flourish in fall 2024 when Jaxinta met with our team to explore how Level Up could support students. Since then, we’ve been honored to collaborate through campus presentations, tabling events, volunteering opportunities, and caregiver engagement — all aimed at building stronger pathways for youth. 

From the Unity Community Fiesta at Sueño Park to our inaugural Caminos event, Carl Hayden’s team has been a consistent and valued partner. Our shared efforts have opened doors for conversations on how NPFY Program Coordinators can help mentors and families advocate for students who need IEPs or 504 Plans —plans that can provide tailored supports to help students with disabilities, access education and reach their full potential — part of our joint mission to remove barriers and create lasting change. 

At the breakfast, the principal spoke about the power of community — not just as part of the school’s name, but as a core value that shapes every student’s experience.  

The appreciation, connection, and shared commitment that filled the room reminded us how meaningful these partnerships are — and how essential they are to our mission. If you’re a community member, educator, or organization interested in learning more about our youth enrollment efforts, school partnerships, or ways to get involved, we’d love to connect with you. Reach out to us at [email protected] to explore how we can work together to create brighter futures for our youth. 

This piece was written by Nina Franco, Manager of Youth Enrollment and Caregiver Circle Coordinators at New Pathways for Youth.