Fresh Start Women's Foundation

Today, we are honored to spotlight Lisa Stevens Anderson, a valued member of Fresh Start’s Executive Board of Directors and current Board Chair!

As Regional Market President at Equality Health, Lisa contributes to advancing Fresh Start’s mission through strategic oversight and a deep understanding of community health and well-being. Her leadership helps guide the organization as she applies her expertise in strategic partnerships, growth initiatives, operational excellence, and leadership development.

“I’m passionate about supporting Fresh Start and the women we serve because my personal and professional life has always been intentionally centered on improving the health and well-being of our community. My ten years on Fresh Start’s Executive Board have given me a meaningful opportunity to live out that mission,” says Stevens-Anderson. “Fresh Start empowers women to succeed—no matter their starting point—and that impact extends well beyond each individual. When women thrive, their families thrive, and ultimately, our entire community becomes stronger. Being part of that ripple effect is both inspiring and deeply fulfilling.”

We are incredibly grateful for Lisa’s leadership and her longstanding commitment to helping advance Fresh Start’s mission!

Ready to take your next step towards achieving your money goals?

With Fresh Start’s free, friendly financial management workshops, you can take control of your finances rather than having them control you. We're here to support your journey as you gain confidence, build healthy money management habits, and set a strong foundation for your future!

Join our virtual or in-person workshops to learn essential skills on topics including budgeting, credit, financial planning and so much more. Get the knowledge and tools you need to thrive!

Your journey toward financial freedom starts here! To learn more about our workshops and sign up for our next "Boost Your Credit Score" workshop held on Monday, June 22nd at 2:30pm, visit https://hubs.la/Q04l-sh00

Wishing you all a meaningful Juneteenth today! 💙

❓What is Juneteenth? ❓

Juneteenth, short for “June Nineteenth,” is the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of slavery ending in the United States. It was on June 19, 1865 that federal troops arrived in Galveston, TX to announce that the Civil War was over, that all enslaved African Americans were now free. This news, however, came two and a half years after the Emancipation Proclamation was signed.

Today, Juneteenth is a powerful reminder of the resilient legacy Black Americans carry, and a celebration of those committed to liberty and equality in the struggle for freedom.

Join us in celebrating this moment of justice in our nation’s history and learn more about what Juneteenth means today! See a calendar of local Juneteenth events at https://hubs.la/Q04l-QP30

Note: Fresh Start will be closed on Friday, June 19th in observation of Juneteenth.

✨Sip✨ your way to fall's most inspiring, impactful luncheon!

Fresh Start's Sip & Soirée, hosted by our Auxiliary Board and presented by Phoenix Lending Group, arrives at the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess on Saturday, September 12. Enjoy an afternoon of sipping alongside friends, shopping with local vendors, and participating in fantastic raffles—and all for a good cause: empowering women to succeed!

Your support of this event will help Fresh Start continue providing transformative programs and resources for Arizona women on the path to self-sufficiency.

Individual tickets and sponsorships available! Get yours today at https://hubs.la/Q04lsK_80.

Your career in tech manufacturing starts here! ⚡️

Fresh Start’s free Semiconductor Manufacturing program provides the training, career support, and industry connections you need to move into this in-demand field. Whether you're starting fresh or changing career paths, we’re here to help you succeed every step of the way!

Semiconductor manufacturing focuses on building the microchips used in everyday technology—like phones, laptops, and even medical devices—opening the door to stable, high-growth careers.

Take the next step toward a future you’re proud of! Learn more via our website at https://hubs.la/Q04lsd3k0

We’re so grateful to have hosted another meaningful Domestic Violence Victim Advocate Community Meetup! 💜

At Fresh Start, creating spaces for professional advocates and providers to connect, share resources, and support one another is so important. From organizational updates to powerful conversations, this quarterly gathering is a good reminder just how impactful collaboration can be.

With 72% of Fresh Start women being survivors of domestic violence in FY25, we are so thankful for our partners who help meet this need in our community.

Together, we are building stronger connections, expanding resources, and creating pathways toward healing and hope! We are looking forward to our next meetup!

We are proud to recognize Shannon Standaert, a dedicated member of Fresh Start’s Executive Board!

As Vice President of Human Resources at Arizona Public Service - APS, Shannon contributes to advancing Fresh Start’s mission through governance and strategic workforce insight, leveraging her professional experience of key human resources functions, including talent acquisition and management; employee and labor relations; HR technology and training; and employee communications.

“I love supporting Fresh Start because they offer wholistic programming to help women obtain self-sustaining career opportunities to better themselves and their families,” says Standaert.

We are grateful for Shannon’s leadership and her dedication to our Fresh Start mission: empowering Arizona’s women to achieve self-sufficiency and use their strength to thrive!

We need YOU! Provide direct, urgent support to the Fresh Start women we serve!

When you give to the Go Fish Women's Empowerment Fund, you help Arizona women move forward. This special giving opportunity provides direct, emergency assistance to Fresh Start women facing unexpected barriers on their journey to self-sufficiency. 🫶

Established in honor of Julie Gomez Fishkind, a kind and generous woman who lived her life in service to others. Her legacy is defined by an unshakable commitment to helping women thrive, and we are proud to continue it through the work Fresh Start does every day to empower women.

If you also believe in the power of a fresh start, we invite you to be part of the impact and donate to the Go Fish Women’s Empowerment Fund. Your gift will transform lives.

To learn more and donate, visit https://hubs.la/Q04lfxMs0

Fresh Start is proud to be a part of the newly announced National Network for Microelectronics Education (NNME) Southwest Regional Node, in partnership and collaboration with the Arizona Commerce Authority (ACA), the SEMI Foundation, and the National Science Foundation (NSF).

This groundbreaking, five-state collaboration aims to bring together strategic partners to strengthen workforce pipelines and expand access to careers in the fast-growing microelectronics and semiconductor industries.

Fresh Start is honored to help meet growing employer demand for skilled talent and be part of an initiative that represents a powerful opportunity to build stronger, industry-aligned pathways into high-demand careers. By connecting women to training, support, and career opportunities in emerging industries, Fresh Start is helping expand access to talent pipelines while ensuring more women can participate in and contribute to Arizona’s economic future.

“For more than 30 years, Fresh Start has helped Arizona women access the resources, support, and career opportunities needed to achieve economic self-sufficiency and build stronger futures for themselves and their families,” said Kim McWaters, President and CEO of Fresh Start. “As Arizona’s semiconductor industry continues to grow, initiatives like NNME Southwest create pathways to job skills training and meaningful careers, which lead to economic mobility for those who need it the most, transforming lives, and strengthening our workforce, economy and community in the process.”

We’re grateful to collaborate alongside regional and national leaders to build a stronger, more inclusive talent ecosystem where women, employers, and communities can succeed together.

Because when one woman gains access to opportunity, the impact extends far beyond a career: it creates lasting change for families, strengthens communities, and helps shape the workforce of the future. 💙 Learn more and read the full press release at https://hubs.la/Q04kw9f40

Opportunity changes everything, but access makes opportunity possible. When you invest in a woman’s future, you create ripple effects that strengthen families, workplaces, and entire communities. 🫶

We’re proud to announce the Fresh Start Scholarship Fund, a new giving initiative that helps women pursuing workforce training programs to overcome financial barriers and take meaningful steps toward self-sufficiency.

From tuition and program fees to training-related costs, this special fund helps ensure women have the support they need to gain skills, build confidence, and create lasting economic mobility for themselves and their families.

Join us in creating pathways to opportunity and helping women achieve a true fresh start. Donate today and be part of the impact. 💙 Details at https://hubs.la/Q04kk18G0