I vividly remember the tears welling up in my friend Orv Krieger's eyes. Orv, 70 years old, pleaded with me to help him start a mentoring program after visiting a juvenile detention center in Phoenix. He had met with young teenagers who were serving time for shoplifting, vandalism and even gang-related violence. It clearly broke his heart to think of where they were headed because of the lack of opportunity and guidance in their lives. Orv was determined that he needed to do something.
This visit to the juvenile detention center became Orv’s inspiration for MentorKids USA which he founded in 1997. Today, the organization targets at-risk youth who have an incarcerated parent, come from a single-parent household, have drug or alcohol problems, have been physically or sexually abused, have significant school problems or live in poverty. MentorKids USA has served over 750 kids by building friendship, trust and constructive values, empowering them to live rich and faithful lives.
Orv passed away a couple years ago at the age of 83. However, MentorKids USA continues to grow. So does my commitment to expand Orv’ vision and love into Maryvale, an area in West Phoenix that is very dear to my home and heart. The community is plagued with daily crime, violence and the highest high school drop-out rates in Arizona.
In December 2005, Lynn and I purchased an eighteen acre parcel in the most crime-ridden section of Maryvale. Through our collaboration and partnerships, we determined the best use of our resources is to provide a home for the agencies working in the area such as the Kids At Hope, MentorKids USA, New Beginnings Community Church, YMCA, two schools and a small business that will hire students to give them hands on training to run and own a business. We are also looking to include a health clinic and a performing arts theater.
Our vision is to bring hope and revive the dreams of families. Maryvale can again be a safe community where houses of worship embrace the needs of the community, businesses thrive and people face each day with a sense of optimism.
Our Investor’s Circle Fund at the Community Foundation of Jackson Hole supports our worthy non-profit partners in Maryvale. We oversee the investment management of the assets in our fund and our excellent investment returns greatly increase the amount of money we are able to grant. Additionally, we advise the Foundation in granting the assets.
Last fall, I took a group of kids from Maryvale to an Arizona Cardinals football game. While their focus was on the game, I was preoccupied by their lives. They were so bright, full of energy, life and potential – like any other kids. Unlike other kids, they would go home that night to a combat zone. They deserve better. The memory of that football game keeps my eye on the ball.
Foster Friess, On behalf of The Lynn and Foster Friess Family Fund
