26 MARCH 2023 By Rachael Bouley Jennifer Kiernan, founder and executive director of Saving Amy – a nonprofit focused on aiding the homeless – was honored by Brophy College Prep with a prestigious service award in February. Kiernan received the 2023 Inés Pascual Award for Generous Service at the Mother- Son Communion Breakfast. This plaque of honor is named after the Spanish noblewoman who supported St. Ignatius through his physical and spiritual journey. Established in 2017, the annual award recognizes a woman in the community who models the same compassion and commitment as Pascual. Kiernan was honored and humbled by this recognition of her work to support those who’ve experienced homelessness. “I feel we all have a calling to help others and to give back. I am grateful that we provide a community to serve those in need,” Kiernan said. “Community support is key to everything that we do.” Saving Amy was created to empower individuals and families transitioning out of homelessness through mentoring, life skills, and advancing education and employment. Kiernan was inspired to make a change after volunteering in a local homeless shelter and learning that many families fell back into the cycle of poverty once they left. Kiernan met a single mother named Amy, who was struggling to get back on her feet. With no funds – and a group of 10 women with generous hearts by her side – Kiernan started Saving Amy. What began as a small operation now encompasses 33 community partners across southern Arizona. “We realized there was not an organization around here that did what we did,” Kiernan said. “We provide resources for families transitioning out of homelessness. We are a hand-up, not a handout. We empower our families to move forward.” Saving Amy focuses on five key programs to address individual needs, with each family assigned a Journey Partner to support them over the next years when transitioning. Services include trauma therapy with licensed therapists and the Rolling Forward program, which provides donated vehicles for reliable transportation to work, school, and family commitments. The Rise Up program provides a rent subsidy, furniture, and home supplies with the opportunity to move out of low-income neighborhoods. Families also receive life skills education to become more confident with budgeting, nutrition, meditation, parenting, and career development. Kiernan is especially proud of the Kids Go Program, which connects Saving Amy children with supporters from Brophy and other area high schools for year-round tutoring, mentorship, and a summer camp. “Working for Saving Amy is the best opportunity for Brophy students who want to make a difference,” Kiernan explained. “These mentors can play a meaningful role in the lives of children. You can be a mentor, tutor, and a friend, and on top of that, you are also forming a deep human connection with the kids that, repeatedly, I’ve seen inspire hope in countless children.” As the nonprofit grows, Kiernan encourages more local students and the wider community to get involved and lend a hand to those less fortunate. “We have had a 100 percent success rate, where none of our families have fallen back into homelessness. All of our families remain housed,” Kiernan added. “More than just housing, we are helping to change the lives of our families by giving them the tools to live empowered lives full of dignity and hope.” savingamy.org Saving Amy founder earns distinguished Brophy honor Jennifer Kiernan with Brophy President Adria Renke and Principal Bob Ryan. PHOTO COURTESY OF SAVING AMY/BROPHY PREP HIGHPLACEMORTGAGE.COM | 800.996.0662 2930 E CAMELBACK ROAD, SUITE 175 | PHOENIX, AZ 85016 ▶ Conventional Loans ▶ First-time Home Buyers ▶ Construction Loans ▶ Portfolio Products ▶ Private Money ▶ Bank Statement Loans ▶ Bridge Loans ▶ Refinances / Purchases ▶ HELOCS / Lines of Credit ▶ FHA Loans ▶ VA Loan Programs ▶ Reverse Mortgages WE MAKE LOANS HAPPEN. From first-time homebuyers to seasoned real estate investors, we’ve got the tools to help with your financing goals. M O R T G AG E