CONNIE HILLMAN FAMILY FOUNDATION
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Soar with the Eagles thanks the Connie Hillman Foundation for their second generous grant in less than a year. The funds will allow us to extend our reach and expand our services into the new year.
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One Business at a Time
Idea+Space Programming Supports Local Woman’s Dream to Start a Nonprofit
Karen Burgan is one of those kind and selfless individuals who gives Tucson a good name.
Karen runs Soar with the Eagles, a nonprofit dedicated to providing educational and moral support to GED students. She founded it in July 2015 using inheritance money from her mother’s passing.
“I had been tutoring GED students for some time and I saw so many of them struggle against barriers from paying for classes to finding transportation. I wanted to make it easier for them.”
And, since summer 2015 when Soar with the Eagles launched, she’s done just that.
Having never run a business before, Karen sought help getting started at the Pima County Public Library. It was at the Joel D. Valdez Main Library’s Idea + Space where she attended, and continues to attend, workshops and one-on-one sessions with Mike Neal, a mentor with SCORE Southern Arizona.
Mike says, “It’s the essence of a good partnership. SCORE strives to help businesses expand, and the Library is full of resources to help them do just that. It makes sense that we’d work together.”
SCORE workshops are offered at the Library free of charge and cover everything from businesses assessment and hiring to marketing and financial management. In the past two years, more than 240 sessions have been offered.
Today, a little more than a year after it began, Soar with the Eagles is reaching great heights. More than 20 tutors, including a number of previously successful clients, have helped 20 students, ranging in age from 18 to 60, obtain their GEDs. Of these students, four are now attending Pima Community College with scholarships.
And it all started at the Library. “Mike has guided us in so many ways, from applying for 501c3 status to creating a strategic plan and recruiting volunteers on Guidestar. He’s really helped us grow.”
When asked what’s next, Karen’s eyes light up. “We want to be able to help defray childcare costs for students with children. Whatever it takes to make the GED process easier to navigate – that’s what we want to do.”
With the support of the Library, its partner, SCORE, and her own enthusiasm, Karen’s future – and that of Soar with the Eagles – looks bright. As for how her mother, Helga, would feel, Karen says, “She’d be thrilled. We’re unquestionably making a difference. That would make her proud.”
Idea+Space Programming Supports Local Woman’s Dream to Start a Nonprofit
Karen Burgan is one of those kind and selfless individuals who gives Tucson a good name.
Karen runs Soar with the Eagles, a nonprofit dedicated to providing educational and moral support to GED students. She founded it in July 2015 using inheritance money from her mother’s passing.
“I had been tutoring GED students for some time and I saw so many of them struggle against barriers from paying for classes to finding transportation. I wanted to make it easier for them.”
And, since summer 2015 when Soar with the Eagles launched, she’s done just that.
Having never run a business before, Karen sought help getting started at the Pima County Public Library. It was at the Joel D. Valdez Main Library’s Idea + Space where she attended, and continues to attend, workshops and one-on-one sessions with Mike Neal, a mentor with SCORE Southern Arizona.
Mike says, “It’s the essence of a good partnership. SCORE strives to help businesses expand, and the Library is full of resources to help them do just that. It makes sense that we’d work together.”
SCORE workshops are offered at the Library free of charge and cover everything from businesses assessment and hiring to marketing and financial management. In the past two years, more than 240 sessions have been offered.
Today, a little more than a year after it began, Soar with the Eagles is reaching great heights. More than 20 tutors, including a number of previously successful clients, have helped 20 students, ranging in age from 18 to 60, obtain their GEDs. Of these students, four are now attending Pima Community College with scholarships.
And it all started at the Library. “Mike has guided us in so many ways, from applying for 501c3 status to creating a strategic plan and recruiting volunteers on Guidestar. He’s really helped us grow.”
When asked what’s next, Karen’s eyes light up. “We want to be able to help defray childcare costs for students with children. Whatever it takes to make the GED process easier to navigate – that’s what we want to do.”
With the support of the Library, its partner, SCORE, and her own enthusiasm, Karen’s future – and that of Soar with the Eagles – looks bright. As for how her mother, Helga, would feel, Karen says, “She’d be thrilled. We’re unquestionably making a difference. That would make her proud.”
We would like to thank The Parish for hosting such a beautiful event. None of this would have been possible without the amazing help lent to us by Steve, co-owner, who orchestrated this event like a true maestro. Travis, chef and co-owner, cooked up an incredible breakfast buffet that included Lamb Chorizo Egg Scramble, Parish Breakfast Potatoes, House-cured Lox and Local Bagels, and Slab Hickory Bacon.
Thank you to all of those who came out to join us. We had a blast and we hope you did too.
Until next time …
Thank you to all of those who came out to join us. We had a blast and we hope you did too.
Until next time …