06/26/2024
As Chairperson, I am sharing this For Immediate Release:
Mesa Regional Foundation Rebrands as Mesa For All Foundation
Continues Commitment to Accessibility, Diversity and Inclusion with Innovative Programs and Partnerships
MESA, Ariz. (June 25, 2024) The Mesa Regional Foundation for Accessibility, Diversity and Inclusion has rebranded to Mesa For All Foundation with a new logo and website that better reflects the growing communities it serves. The 501(c)(3)* non-profit organization will continue to elevate Mesa, Arizona’s leading position as an accessible and inclusive city.
“We are proud to announce the name change for the foundation, now known as Mesa For All, which we believe better reflects the neurodivergent and adaptive communities we serve,” said Ron Williams, Board Chair for the Mesa For All Foundation. “This organization will continue to recognize, celebrate and provide programs and technologies that benefit everyone—regardless of ability. We are committed to fostering an environment where everyone can contribute to and benefit from progress.”
After Mesa became the first ever autism-certified city, the Mesa For All Foundation was established in 2022 to expand the autism certification program and to implement additional initiatives to further enhance the quality of life for all residents and visitors. The foundation will continue to offer its two signature programs, Camp Level Up and S.T.E.P (Student Tourism Exploration Program), to introduce students to the hospitality, tourism and digital media world.
“This rebranding marks an important milestone in our ongoing commitment to accessibility, diversity and inclusion,” said Alison Brooks, President of Mesa For All Foundation. “We remain dedicated to maintaining our current partnerships as well as growing our programs that support purposeful education. Mesa has been a trailblazer in leading inclusivity and accessibility efforts, and we are looking forward to enhancing our foundation under this new name.”
Camp Level Up, now wrapping up its third summer program, provides neurodivergent youth with the opportunity to develop skills in gaming media by building virtual worlds for video games, contemporary cinema and virtual reality. The camp was developed by the foundation in partnership with Arizona State University Herberger Institute, Copa Health, and video game production company Endless Studios with a generous donation from the Abbett Family Foundation.
S.T.E.P. will be entering its third year this September with students from Title 1 and vocational high schools. This workforce development program introduces students to career opportunities within the hospitality industry through hands-on projects, experiential site visits, activities, guest speakers and more.
The foundation also honors National Autism Acceptance Month with Spectrum IPA – a limited-time brew created by local brewers and sold during the month of April with a portion of the proceeds benefiting the Mesa For All Foundation.
Learn more about how to support and get involved with the foundation at www.mesaforall.org.
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CONTACTS:
Zoey Shircel, Communications Manager, Visit Mesa, [email protected]
Kelly Bassett, Vice President, Marketing and Communications, Visit Mesa, [email protected]
Alison Brooks, President, Mesa For All Foundation, [email protected]
