Local stakeholders form "Marana Momentum Alliance" to better serve the community

MARANA - Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona, Marana Schools 2340 Foundation, MHC Healthcare, and Town of Marana have combined resources to better serve the community as the "Marana Momentum Alliance."

The alliance's mission is to empower everyone to maximize their opportunities and manage their futures by providing resources for career and education, health and wellness, and veteran and senior services.

The Marana Momentum Alliance brings together the unique strengths and talents of each partner organization to increase the beneficial power of their efforts through a series of one-stop shop events. The first event is scheduled for September 22 and will focus on career and eduction resources. The Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona currently serves as the lead organization for the event with support from its partners. 

“The Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona is thrilled to be a part of this important alliance through the Marana Resource Center," said Marana Resource Center Executive Director Linda Hampton. "We believe that lasting solutions to poverty will not be found in just a bag of food.  Working alongside our partners, we can grow the impact of our efforts and do more to assist those in our community who need us the most.”

The role of lead organization for each event will rotate through the alliance. MHC Healthcare will serve as lead for the Health and Wellness event scheduled for Spring 2019. 

“MHC Healthcare is excited and honored to be a partner of the Marana Momentum Alliance," said MHC Healthcare CEO Dr. Clint Kuntz. "We look forward to working with Marana Unified School District, Town of Marana and the Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona to bring worthwhile events that will provide timely, helpful resources. We are here for you and plan to help attendees fill their “Life Tool Box” with useful materials focused on improving your health and overall well-being.” 

The third event will be in the fall of 2019 and will focus on senior and veteran services. Event logistics will be led by the Town of Marana. 

"At the Town of Marana, we hear almost daily from residents in need," said Town of Marana Community and Neighborhood Services Director Lisa Shafer.  "It is so important that we work with other agencies to provide the support and services these residents need to build a successful future.  By forming the Marana Momentum Alliance, I think we are on our way to providing something pretty incredible for the greater Marana area."

Marana Schools' 2340 Foundation and Marana Unified School District also play a large role in the alliance, acknowledging the importance of providing resources to the younger generation and their families.

"The Marana Unified School District and the Marana Schools’ 2340 Foundation observe the challenges many of our students and their families must overcome every day. The Marana Momentum Alliance brings together resources to provide a helping hand to those with critical needs or a pathway to succeed." said Marana Unified School District Superintendent Doug Wilson.  

The Marana Momentum Alliance is now accepting vendors for upcoming events. Donations, volunteers, and sponsorships are also being solicited. Those who are interested in participating can learn more here.

Spotlight on Schools: Ironwood teacher recognized as MVP

Maria Fallon, an Ironwood Elementary teacher, was selected as an Arizona Cardinals MVP in the Classroom Presented by University of Phoenix.

Fallon was recognized and awarded prizes at the October 15 AZ Cardinal Game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at the University of Phoenix Stadium, Glendale.

The MVP’s in the Classroom program recognizes outstanding educators in the state of Arizona.

Big Green Event at Crossroads Park on Nov. 5.

Please join the Marana Chamber of Commerce at the Marana Big Green Event on Saturday, Nov. 5th, 2016, 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. This free event will be at Crossroads Park in Marana

For the 2nd year in a row, all things Green will come together for a fun-filled and educational day about our Mother Earth. There will be:

• Alternative-fuel Racecars
• A Kid’s Tent with Lots of Fun Activities
• A Scavenger Hunt/Nature Walk for Kids at 9am
• Recycle your Electronics (no old TVs please)
• Shred Your Papers
• A Tree Planting
• People and Pet Wellness
• A Recycled Fashion Show
• A Recycled Art Auction
• Learn From Local and National Experts about Green Technology
• Local Food Vendors
• Music
• A Microbrew Beer Garden for the Adults

BRING A BOOK - TAKE A BOOK - and support Right Away Disposal in our attempt to set the Guinness Book of World Records for most books traded in 8 hour period.

Learn more at www.biggreenevent.com.  

Summer Schooling, Part 5: Marana’s Heritage, Alive and Well

Last week I spent lunch with my family at the Cattleman’s Café.  It is in a working cattle auction house located in north Marana.  I have been there a few times before to eat, but I have never been there on an auction day. It turned out to be far better than a lunch with my family; it was an experience and my kids are already asking when we can go back. 

Usually when you pull up, there are a few trucks and cars outside, and the café is full of locals, but the rest of the converted barn is quiet.  The historic photos that are all over the place are a good reminder of where the Town came from and contribute to the feel of the Old West.

On auction days, the lot is full of trucks with large trailers and the barn side is a flurry of activity.  Livestock is moving in and out while an auctioneer is lively and getting the best dollar he can out of the crowd.  Today, the crowd consisted of hard working cattleman, ranchers, and their families.  They are legitimate cowboys: all wearing jeans, boots, and Stetsons, trying to make their hard work pay off.  Their kids were up in the loft practicing their roping skills and just having a good time. 

Those photos that adorn the walls really come to life when you see everyone there.  The nostalgia you feel on any other day is replaced with history come to life and a feeling that the Old West is alive and well.  It is a good reminder of the value in preserving the heritage of the town and the importance of incorporating local community values and traditions that create a sense of place in everything we do. 

I have been a practicing landscape designer in the Tucson region for about five years and am nearly done with my master’s degree in planning.  In both professions we are always looking into how to create a sense of place, how to make a park or subdivision come to life.  In Marana I don’t think we need to look into creating a new one, but rather need to continue embracing the one that already exists. 

I would encourage everyone to enjoy lunch with your family and friends on an auction day at the café (Wednesdays from 10:30 am to 1:00 pm).  Go to the Heritage River Park for the Cotton Festival and show up for the Founders’ Day Parade.  Embrace the ranching and farming community that exists and have a great time learning about our past and carrying it into the future.  

Town of Marana partners with Grand Canyon University on scholarship program

(Oct. 19, 2015) – The Town of Marana has teamed up with Grand Canyon University to provide Educational Alliance Scholarships to its employees. The agreement provides a 10 percent tuition discount for employees seeking to further their education in GCU’s popular online programs.

“We are pleased to partner with GCU to help give employees the opportunity to continue their education while still working full-time,” said Town Manager Gilbert Davidson. “We’re hoping that this partnership also helps keep higher education affordable and accessible to employees of the Town.”

GCU, a private Christian university in Phoenix, helps students find their purpose and achieve their potential through more than 160 academic programs at the bachelors, masters and doctoral levels. The online curriculum features small class sizes and interactive lesson plans that keep students engaged.

GCU has 55,000 students enrolled in its online programs, while enrollment on its ground campus has jumped from less than 1,000 students in 2008 to 16,000 this fall. To help keep higher education affordable, GCU has frozen tuition on its ground campus for eight straight years.

Marana is an innovative community that attracts residents and business owners from across the region. The town has grown to approximately 40,000 residents, around 5,000 more than the 2010 Census figure.                       

Grand Canyon University was founded in 1949 and is Arizona’s premier private Christian university. GCU is regionally accredited and emphasizes individual attention for both traditional undergraduate students and the working professional. GCU offers traditional programs on its growing campus, as well as online bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degree programs.  The University’s curriculum fuses academic and clinical rigor with Christian values to prepare its students to be skilled, caring professionals. For more information about GCU, visit gcu.edu.

The Town of Marana is a fast-growing, innovative community that serves as the Gateway to Southern Arizona.  The Town prides itself on its business-friendly environment, celebration of local heritage, and high quality schools.  For more information, visit www.maranaaz.gov.

High school students make their mark

Marana High School students and internship coordinator Alex Ruff are excited to begin the Marana 2.0 program.

While most high school students typically learn about the federal government in a classroom setting, Town of Marana is giving students the chance to learn more about local government issues in a real world setting.

Town of Marana and Marana High School are excited to kick-off “Marana 2.0”, a new program that provides opportunities for students at Marana High School to learn more about local government by providing internship opportunities in various departments within the Town. Ten seniors will work on projects in marketing and communication, special events, public safety, technology, administrative services, and town management. 

“I signed up for Marana 2.0 because I wanted to be more involved in my community,” says Jenica Franks, senior at Marana High School. Her internship will focus on events like the Marana Cotton and Holiday Festivals.  “Planning these events was my first choice when I saw the list because I’ve planned events before, and I want to share that experience with others.” 

“One of the main goals of Marana 2.0 is to engage high school kids in local government,” says Internship Coordinator Alex Ruff, teacher at Marana High School.  Ruff has played a major role in shaping the program from an education perspective and creating an outlet for his internship class to connect with the Town of Marana.

As part of the Strategic Plan, the Town seeks to deepen its relationship with Marana Unified School District, and this program represents a clear step in that direction. 

Marana Town Clerk Jocelyn Bronson also has high hopes for Marana 2.0.  “The intent of the program is to bring the youth voice into Town government in a more meaningful way than we ever have before.” 

Over the next ten months, these students will be blogging about their experiences.  To keep up with their adventures, be sure to check out the Marana Newsroom.