Salvation Army Donation

After reaching out to students and using our social media platforms we are excited to share our donation we made today to the Salvation Army here in Tucson.

Sister Jose Women's Center

In Tucson the poverty rate is highest among women and children. The Sister Jose Women’s Center is dedicated to the care and nurture of homeless women. The center just opened a new facility where they will be able to expand their existing programs and increase their capacity to offer critically needed services for homeless women in Tucson. They offer space for up to 35 women at one time, a large community room, sleeping rooms all day long,, classrooms with computers, restroom facilities with showers, laundry room, lockers, commercial kitchen, administrative space, and a separate donation room with a dressing room. The SJWC is the only Tucson organization dedicated solely to the needs of adult unaccompanied women living in chronic homelessness. It is a women-only environment aimed to prevent women from breaking the cycle of chronic homelessness.

How can you help? You can sign up online to work there or volunteer. You can also donate close, laundry supplies, food, hygiene products, gift cards, and books. Each donation has a direct and positive impact on all those who come through the doors of the shelter. For more information call (520) 909-3905, or visit http://srjosewomensshelter.org/howtohelp/wishlist/.  

Clothing & Supplies Drop-Off

1050 S Park Ave, Tucson, AZ 85719

Monday – Friday 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM

(520) 909-3905

Salvation Army Hospitality House - Tucson, AZ

The Salvation Army Hospitality House is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, providing emergency shelter for those in need. The facility, located near downtown Tucson, features a 91 bed facility with separate accommodations for men and women, while motel vouchers may be available to assist housing families with special needs. In addition to safe, clean lodging, the facility features a laundry, showers, playground, television, dining and activity areas. Guests receive two meals per day and access to vital programs and services. Programs are targeted to emergency housing needs, as well as options for both short term- 7-day emergency shelter & long term- 4-month transitional assistance. 

Do you have items to donate? Contact Salvation Army Hospitality House at (520) 795-9671 or http://www.salvationarmytucson.org/ to see if they can use any items you may have to donate!

UofA Perspective

George Hammond, director and research professor at Eller's Economic and Business Research Center, and Anthony Chan, Chase chief economist, share their predictions regarding job growth, the housing sector, the stock market, etc.

Hammond said that Arizona's economy continues to grow, with the Tucson metro area finally gathering momentum. In particular, Tucson's job growth began to accelerate this year and looks set to carry faster growth into 2017 and 2018.

"If Tucson's job growth hits the forecast in 2016, that would be the fastest pace since 2012. The forecast growth rates in 2017 and 2018 would be the fastest pace since 2006, before the Great Recession began," Hammond said.

According to employment estimates from Eller's Economic and Business Research Center, Tucson added 2,700 jobs in the third quarter of 2016, compared to a year earlier. That translated into 0.8 percent growth, which was a bit slower than growth in the first and second quarters.

Hammond also shared data relating to Tucson's housing market. According to data from the Federal Housing Finance Administration, Tucson's house prices increased by 5.9 percent over the year in the second quarter of 2016, slightly faster than the national rate of 5.4 percent. Tucson’s house prices are still 23.4 percent below their pre-recession peak.

Tucson's Growth

According to Tucson News, Arizona’s economy continues to rise in recovery of the Great Recession. Arizona still has a way to go before returning to pre-recession levels. Arizona’s job growth is steadily rising with wages and housing prices. While Tucson lags behind national averages, last year’s job growth was significantly higher than before. Tucson’s growth rate increased from 0.8 percent in 2015 to 1.3 percent in 2016. Tucson’s median wage has increased about $1,000 in 2016 to $34,000, which exceeds both national and state wage growth averages. It still remains about $3,000 less than the national average. Tucson’s largest job growth has been in the tourism, heath care, and manufacturing sectors, a reflection of the arrival of new aerospace companies, which will also contribute to wage rate growth.

Make sure to check out and follow our Instagram @tucsonhope for weekly posts!

What can you do to help?

Wondering what you can do to help better the Tucson economy and help grow the city?

1. The Salvation Army Tucson - Help Feed a Family

Visit: http://www.salvationarmytucson.org/ and make a donation, anything helps!

"Every gift you make will help provide a Thanksgiving meal to a hungry family right here in our valley."

2. The Salvation Army Tucson - Adopt-a-Family

Visit: http://www.salvationarmytucson.org/adopt-a-family-tucson and learn how!

This holiday season you can help bring joy to a family in need.

3. The Salvation Army Tucson - Volunteer!

Visit: http://www.salvationarmytucson.org/ways-to-give#!Volunteer/c104j for more information!

Donating your time can be one of the most valuable gifts.

Outside Perspective

As I was out of town recently, I took advantage of this time to gather an outside perspective on how people who do not live in Tucson view the city and the economy. This is what I found...

"I don't travel to Tucson very often. I think the economy is pretty stable and pretty good. To be honest I am not really sure."

After I told this person statistics about the economy, this is how they replied...

"That's shocking and I honestly did not know that. I guess it makes sense because the only times I have been there I have noticed that there are not a lot of huge businesses around the city."

We have turned to Facebook to spread more awarness

Phoenix News Times :Tucson’s a Nice Place, But You Wouldn’t Want to Live There

"Tucson is one of the only cities in the Southwest to rank among the worst places to live, the study reports before ticking off reasons why that's so, The economy is slow-growing, the property crime rate is crazy there, and the population is transient, making it difficult to establish a strong community" 

What do you see when it comes to Tucson's poverty?

"There is a high crime rate in this metro area...no matter which neighborhood you live in. There is much gang activity, theft, robbery, property crime, gun crime, shootings....and I'm talking about good neighborhoods like on the east side of tow. Just drive around any area west of Panasonic Road, which is 3/4 of the city, and houses have bars on the windows and doors." -Joanie (Tucson local)

Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/tucsonhope/

Do you think there is a tie between poverty rates and drug use in Tucson?

Yes, absolutely. I have lived here for 8 years now and one thing I have noticed is that as poverty rates increase, more drug use and crime occur. I have seen a greater amount of homeless people around the area that I live this past year than I ever have before. - Anonymous

What is the first thing that comes to your mind when you think of the poverty in Tucson?

"One time I was going out to my car at night in the parking lot behind my apartment and the security guard was out there. I asked him what he was doing and he said he was waiting until the police arrived. He had found heroin sitting there left behind by a homeless person. I have noticed similar issues to this have become more common since I started going to school here. I have lived in the same apartment since I was a freshman. I am a junior now and this past year I have seen more homeless people than ever." - Gio Richmond (University of Arizona Junior)

"I see homeless people everyday..."

"I see homeless people everyday that loiter outside my apartment that partake in drug activities too despite constant police intervention." - Anonymous