PHOENIX, Ariz. (Feb 6, 2025): The 20th Annual Mike McQuaid I Am Home Breakfast drew a crowd of over 550 guests and raised $920,000 between event sponsorships and individual contributions.
Signature Sponsor Avondale Toyota supported the breakfast event with both its sponsorship, and $250,000 match to funds raised during the December 13 event.
Proceeds support the work of Keys to Change, the Phoenix-based nonprofit responsible for serving single adults experiencing homelessness at Key Campus in downtown Phoenix. Last fiscal year, Keys to Change served over 18,000 unique individuals experiencing homelessness. Demonstrating a growing need, total served at the Key Campus Welcome Center jumped by 21% in one year.
“The landscape is changing, and we must work together as a community to create long-term solutions to address and prevent homelessness,” says Amy Schwabenlender, CEO of Keys to Change. “It is more vital than ever that we diversify our funding sources. With private companies, individual donors, and family foundations by our side, we remain focused on helping our unsheltered neighbors find permanent housing.”
Co-hosted by Amy Schwabenlender and iHeart Media personality Chris Coraggio, the 60-minute breakfast program featured impact videos showcasing the collaborative work of Keys to Change and partner organizations. Also featured were in-person testimonials from former Keys to Change clients, all of whom are no longer homeless.
One testimonial was given by a former client named Yvester, aka “Preacher.” His journey through decades of chronic homelessness included multiple attempts at housing stability, yet the past 27 years were largely spent on the street. Through the unique collaborative model of Key Campus, and with the personalized navigation provided by Keys to Change staff, Yvester now lives independently under his own roof. He spent Thanksgiving surrounded by family at his once-estranged brother’s house.
As the need for additional funding and programming continues to rise, the $920,000 in funds raised at the breakfast event will ensure neighbors like Yvester receive the practical services and compassionate support they need to end their homelessness.
The organization’s fundraising focus over the next year will be on securing monthly donations from recurring donors, to help provide stability and protect the vital services rendered to some 1,200 individuals daily at Key Campus.
To view a replay of the event, visit https://keystochangeaz.org/2024-breakfast/
For photos from the Breakfast, visit https://keystochangeaz.org/2024-iamhomebreakfast/#photos
For a full list of Breakfast sponsors, visit https://keystochangeaz.org/2024-iamhomebreakfast/sponsors/
For more information about Keys to Change, visit https://www.keystochangeaz.org
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Media Contacts:
Amy Schwabenlender
CEO
Keys to Change
602-281-8628
amys@keystochangeaz.org
Kim Beaudoin
Marketing and Communications Manager
Keys to Change
602-282-0849
kbeaudoin@keystochangeaz.org
