activities · 17
what they do
direct service · 14
- After-School Programs (Swift After School)Operates Swift After School, a weekly program during the school year at five different schools, offering STEAM activities, leadership training, and sports for students from local school districts and other nonprofits.
- Community Engagement Events (Swift Carnival) Youth Interest-Based Club ProgramsHosts an annual Swift Carnival to introduce kindergarten through second-grade students to Swift programming and provide a day of activities for current participants, involving over 100 volunteers and various carnival attractions.
- Deliver after-school and weekend youth programsOperates Swift After School, a weekly program during the school year offering STEAM activities, leadership training, and sports for students from local school districts and partner nonprofits, currently provided at five schools with plans for expansion. Also hosts Swift Saturday monthly, featuring STEM activities, art, sports, leadership development, and meals.
- Host Swift Saturday monthly eventsHosts monthly weekend events offering STEM activities, art, sports, leadership development, and meals to youth, forming year-round connections with participants and expanding engagement beyond seasonal programs.
- Host annual Swift Carnival and community events Youth Interest-Based Club ProgramsOrganizes the annual Swift Carnival to introduce young students to Swift programming and provide a day of fun for current participants, featuring carnival attractions, meals, snacks, and over 100 volunteers. Also conducts additional community outreach and fundraising events to expand organizational impact.
- Maintain Club Swift high school chapters Youth Mentoring ProgramsSupports Club Swift chapters at multiple high schools—including Brophy College Preparatory, Horizon High School, Desert Mountain High School, Phoenix Country Day School, and Chaparral High School—to engage teen volunteers in leadership, fundraising, and program delivery across Swift programs.
- Middle School Leadership Program (Swift Jr) Youth Mentoring ProgramsOperates the Swift Jr program to foster the positive development of middle school youth through leadership training with teen mentors.
- Operate Camp Swift summer camp programRuns a flagship summer camp program with two week-long sessions annually for economically disadvantaged youth aged 6–12 from the Phoenix Metro area, including those from Title I schools, transitional housing, and foster homes. The program offers traditional camp activities, STEAM-based learning, nature science education, and social-emotional development, serving over 500 youth and teens each year.
- Operate Camp Swift summer camp program Youth & Family Outdoor Adventure ProgramsRuns a flagship summer camp program with two week-long sessions annually for economically disadvantaged youth aged 6–12 from the Phoenix Metro area, including those from Title I schools, transitional housing, and foster homes. The program offers traditional camp activities such as hiking, canoeing, arts and crafts, and sports, alongside STEAM-based learning and social-emotional development.
- Organize annual Swift Carnival Youth Interest-Based Club ProgramsHosts an annual carnival introducing kindergarten through second-grade students to Swift programming, providing a day of recreational activities, meals, and snacks for current participants, with involvement from over 100 volunteers and various attractions.
- Provide essential support and supplies to youth participants Meals and Basic Needs for Youth and Vulnerable PopulationsProvides balanced meals and snacks daily to campers and operates a free "Keppies store" where youth can obtain clothing, sleeping bags, and toiletries, ensuring basic needs are met during programming.
- Run Swift After School programOperates a weekly after-school program during the school year offering STEAM activities, leadership training, and sports for elementary and middle school students from local school districts and partner nonprofits, currently active at five schools with plans for expansion in 2024–2025.
- Summer Camp Programs (Camp Swift) Youth & Family Outdoor Adventure ProgramsOperates Camp Swift, a flagship program with two week-long sessions every summer for over 500 economically disadvantaged campers aged 6-12 from the Phoenix Metro area, providing traditional summer camp activities, STEAM-based programming, and outdoor education.
- Weekend Programs (Swift Saturday)Hosts Swift Saturday at least once a month, offering STEM activities, art, sports, leadership development, lunch, and snacks for students, fostering year-round connections.
capacity building · 3
- Deliver teen leadership and mentorship development Youth Mentoring ProgramsEquips teen and young adult mentors with leadership skills through structured programs including Club Swift and the Teen Leadership Board, which engage high school students in program delivery, fundraising, outreach, and planning. Approximately 100 teens serve as volunteer counselors annually, and Club Swift chapters operate at five high schools.
- Engage teen and young adult mentors in leadership development Youth Mentoring ProgramsEquips teens and young adults with leadership skills through mentorship roles at Camp Swift and other programs, including training and volunteer opportunities. Approximately 100 teens serve annually as volunteer counselors at Camp Swift, and teen leaders participate in program planning and community outreach.
- Teen Leadership Development (Club Swift) Youth Mentoring ProgramsBuilds up teen and young adult mentors by equipping them with leadership skills and opportunities through Club Swift, which operates chapters in multiple high schools and involves teens in fundraising, program development, and volunteering as counselors for younger campers.
strategies · 23
how they think
Theories of action extracted from this org's own source material. Click any to see the full field of orgs running the same approach.
- Basic needs provision integrated with programming basic_needs_provisionEnsures access to fundamental needs such as meals, snacks, and clothing at all programs to remove barriers to participation and support holistic well-being.
- Basic needs provision integrated with programming basic_needs_provisionProvides meals, snacks, clothing, and other essential necessities at all programs to remove barriers to participation and ensure youth can fully engage in a safe and supportive environment.
- Community Partnerships for Expanded Opportunities community_partnershipsThe organization collaborates with community partners to provide economically disadvantaged youth and teens with access to fun, safe activities, mentorship, and networking opportunities after school, on weekends, and during the summer. This expands the reach and variety of enriching experiences available to the Swift community.
- Community engagement through youth and staff content creation community engagement through content creationUses original content platforms like "The Grilled Cheese Gazette" blog to deepen community connections by featuring voices of staff, volunteers, and participants.
- Community engagement via youth and staff content creation community engagement through content creationEngages the community through "The Grilled Cheese Gazette" blog, featuring content created by staff, volunteers, and community members to strengthen connection and dialogue.
- Community partnership model community partnershipsCollaborates with local organizations to expand access to safe, enriching activities for economically disadvantaged youth during after-school, weekend, and summer hours.
- Community partnership network community partnershipsLeverages collaborations with community partners to expand access to safe, fun, and enriching activities for economically disadvantaged youth during after-school, weekend, and summer hours.
- Experiential learning with values integration experiential learning with mentorshipCombines hands-on, fun programming with mentoring and values-based learning to create impactful developmental experiences grounded in real-world engagement.
- Holistic Youth Development through Life Skills and Leadership holistic_youth_developmentThe organization nurtures the potential of young people by emphasizing leadership, character development, and interpersonal skills in all programming. This includes instilling a commitment to social action and responsibility, enhancing leadership, social, and communication skills, and empowering teens to lead initiatives, ultimately helping them become resilient, confident, and successful leaders.
- Holistic youth development through education and community holistic youth developmentSupports the comprehensive development of young people by combining education, mentorship, and community involvement to cultivate resilience, confidence, and leadership.
- Holistic youth development through relationships and life skills holistic youth developmentFosters social-emotional growth, leadership, character, and interpersonal skills through year-round relationship-based programming, with a focus on building trust and resilience in youth transitioning to high school.
- Life skills and leadership development life_skills_developmentIntentionally integrates leadership training, character development, interpersonal skills, and social-emotional growth into all programming to prepare youth for successful transitions into high school and beyond.
- Opportunity access for underserved youth opportunity_provisionProvides pathways to mentorship, community involvement, and networking for youth in the Swift community who face systemic barriers to such resources.
- Opportunity access for youth opportunity_provisionExpands access to mentorship, community engagement, and networking opportunities to empower youth in the Swift community to grow personally and professionally.
- Provision of Basic Needs basic_needs_provisionThe organization provides essential basic needs such as meals, snacks, clothing, and other necessities at all its programs. This ensures that participants have their fundamental needs met, creating a safe and supportive environment for engagement and learning.
- Relationship-centered youth development relationship-based programmingPrioritizes long-term, trust-based relationships with youth throughout the year, viewing these connections as foundational to personal growth and program impact.
- STEAM-based Experiential Learning steam_educationProgramming is based on academic principles, specifically STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics), to provide enriching and engaging experiences. This approach aims to nurture the potential of young people through educational activities.
- STEAM-based education model steam_educationUses Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics (STEAM) as the academic foundation for programming to provide enriching, educational experiences that engage under-resourced youth in hands-on learning.
- STEAM-based enrichment programming steam_educationUses STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) education as the foundation of programming to provide academically grounded, enriching experiences that engage under-resourced youth in hands-on learning.
- Youth Mentorship Model peer_mentorship_modelThe organization employs a mentorship model where teen and young adult volunteers serve as mentors, counselors, and leaders in all programs. This approach fosters positive relationships, builds trust, and supports the social and emotional development of younger participants, while also developing leadership and social responsibility in the mentors themselves.
- Youth leadership and civic engagement youth leadership developmentEmpowers teens to develop leadership and communication skills through structured programs like the Teen Leadership Board and counselor roles, instilling commitment to social responsibility and community action.
- Youth peer mentorship model peer_mentorship_modelEmploys a structured mentorship model in which teen and young adult volunteers serve as counselors and mentors, supported by adult volunteers, to build trusting relationships and foster development in younger participants.
- Youth peer mentorship model peer_mentorship_modelEmploys a structured mentorship approach where teen and young adult volunteers serve as counselors and mentors, supported by older volunteers, to build positive, developmental relationships with younger participants.
named programs · 4
what they call their work
Camp Swift
Flagship summer camp for children ages 6–12 from economically disadvantaged backgrounds; includes STEAM activities, outdoor recreation, meals, and access to free clothing and supplies through the Keppies store.
Swift After School
Weekly after-school program offering STEAM activities, leadership training, and sports; delivered by teen and young adult mentors at five school sites in the Phoenix area.
Swift Carnival
Annual free community event introducing Swift programs to kindergarten through second-grade students and families through a day of fun, appreciation, and engagement.
Swift Saturday
Monthly Saturday program extending enrichment and mentorship with STEM, art, sports, and leadership development; includes meals and builds on relationships from Camp Swift and After School programs.
relationships · 24
who they work with
- Able Financial Group Partner — Sponsor
- Acme Meat Partner — In-kind supporter
- Alyssa James Foundation Partner — Lauren A. Bostick, a Swift board member, actively worked with this foundation.
- Arizona Department of Revenue Government — Source of information on tax credits for donations to Swift Youth Foundation
- Arizona Foundation for Women Partner — Lauren A. Bostick, a Swift board member, has been a mentor for She Leads through this foundation for multiple years.
- Arizona Women Lawyers Association Partner — Lauren A. Bostick, a Swift board member, is a Member and serves on the Leadership and Social Committee.
- Call Christina Now Partner — Community partner
- Call Christina Now Partner — Sponsor
- Community Legal Services Partner — Lauren A. Bostick, a Swift board member, previously served on this organization.
- DPR Construction Partner — Community partner
- For Your Record Partner — Lauren A. Bostick, a Swift board member, helped assist in the start-up of this non-profit organization.
- Maricopa County Bar Association Partner — Lauren A. Bostick, a Swift board member, is a Past President.
- Maricopa County Bar Foundation Partner — Lauren A. Bostick, a Swift board member, serves on the Executive Board of Directors as President.
- Matthew Lopez Law Partner — Charitable supporter
- Next Level Custom Signs Partner — In-kind supporter
- Niagara Partner — In-kind supporter
- Opportunity4Kids Partner — Community partner
- Phoenix Fire Department Partner — Provides special visits to the Swift Carnival.
- Phoenix Legacy Foundation Partner — Sponsor
- Redd Legend Partner — In-kind supporter
- Scottsdale Bar Association Partner — Lauren A. Bostick, a Swift board member, is a Member.
- Sprouts Partner — Sponsor
- Steve and Lois Mihaylo Foundation Partner — Referred to as "Madam Chairman," indicating a leadership or governance relationship with Swift Youth Foundation
- Steve and Lois Mihaylo Foundation Partner — Sarah, a Swift board member, connects the Mihaylo Foundation to local 501c3s in need of support.