July 2026, page 25 | Arcadia News

July 2026

25 JULY 2026 By Sherry Sklar Social Venture Partners Arizona (SVP) has relaunched its SVP Teens program, giving high school students hands-on experience in philanthropy, fundraising and community leadership. The newly revived program, which operated from 2002 to 2009, teaches philanthropy to active participants, who take part in decision-making while learning about community impact. For nearly three decades, SVP Arizona has cultivated philanthropic leaders, strengthened nonprofits and invested in collaborative solutions to address social challenges. The organization provides both expertise and funding to nonprofit partners. Launched in Seattle in 1997, SVP now operates in more than 40 cities worldwide and has roughly 3,200 members. The SVP Arizona Teens program empowers its participants, referred to as partners, to make a difference in their community and seeks to broaden their understanding of philanthropy. The initiative follows the parent organization’s investment model. Members of the inaugural cohort built their expertise through fundraising, evaluating a nonprofit’s financial stability and impact, conducting site visits, and using this research to make their selection. “Our tagline is that we take a venture capital approach to philanthropy,” Program Manager Hailey Hershkowitz said. The teens were engaged in the full investing and grantmaking cycle. They raised $1,000 by selling cookies and brownies to fund the grant, which was then awarded to a Valley nonprofit. After evaluating more than 15 candidates, the teens chose Friends of the Children, a group that supports schoolchildren in vulnerable populations. The nonprofit works with kids in the Roosevelt School District to provide care, build relationship skills, foster empathy, and provide long- term support. A mentor is paired with a child and follows that student from kindergarten through 12th grade. This was the organization’s first time participating in SVP. Mentors Joey Cuevas and Alberto Gordillo were grateful that the group chose their organization. SVP Arizona Teens was relaunched with funding from The Pharos Foundation. Hershkowitz, a former educator, updated the curriculum. The first revived cohort drew 10 applicants and included five students from Xavier, Camelback High and Arcadia High. Applications are now open for the next cohort. Cameron Estrada’s entrepreneurship teacher introduced her to the program, knowing that she was service-oriented and interested in giving back. Interest in charity started early. She often tagged along with her mom, a grant writer, to fundraising events as a child. Estrada wanted to understand the financial side of philanthropy better and intends to pursue a career in the sector. The program showed her, through action, how philanthropy can create meaningful change, and that experience reinforced her chosen path. “Making that impact was so powerful, and I’d like to keep doing this,” she said. Amber Cordoba, a partner at SVP Arizona, has been involved with the organization for the past three years. She is the executive director of Relational Life Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to fostering community and combating loneliness. As a guest professional, Cordoba worked with the teens just before they reviewed and narrowed the applications. A member of SVP’s investee selection committee, she explained what the committee looks for in an application and encouraged the group to focus on the big picture. SVP provided resources to help the teens make informed decisions. The participants were involved every step of the way. “I think SVP has done an amazing job uplifting our voices,” Estrada said. “We were the ones in charge of the conversation.” Cordoba hopes the teens learn that philanthropy is not only about donating funds but also about time and talent. This view aligns with SVP’s model of giving and capacity building. Ellie Weiss learned about SVP Teens through her mom. Although a few years younger than the other cohort members, she appreciated the kindness shown and the connections made. “I love how everyone is so nice, and I like helping others out,” she said. Weiss was surprised to learn how thorough the grant evaluation and funding process was. “It was cool raising money and discovering organizations I’d never heard of before,” she said. Weiss plans to rejoin next year and encouraged her peers to get involved. “Learning about philanthropy and getting to meet people from different high schools was a great experience,” she said. Through SVP Teens, students are building relationships, learning how nonprofits work and beginning to see themselves as part of the Valley’s next generation of civic leaders. svpaz.org/svp-teens Teen philanthropists take the lead Joey Cuevas, Ellie Weiss, Cameron Estrada, Sophia Martine, Hailey Hershkowitz and Alberto Gordillo. PHOTO: SHERRY SKLAR By Michael P. Murphy Susan Silverman grew up on classical dance, but she never thought it’d become her profession. In college, she was a political science major, and a chance meeting 40 years ago helped her switch gears…she co- founded Dance Theater West (DTW), and that’s where she’s remained as the owner and director. It is a studio with a long history of giving back – providing magic and healing through dance. “I had a friend who was at a support group called Free Arts, and they talked about healing through the arts,” Susan said. “I was asked to be on the board – which is not my thing – so I told them I would love to put on a program instead and was invited to work with them.” Now known as Art Heals Arizona (AHA), the organization is dedicated to bringing transformative programs to young people who have experienced abuse, neglect, and homelessness. Their long association with Susan and DTW began with a 2001 production of Swan Lake, in which the dancers served as mentors to the youth. The DTW studio company is Story Book Ballet, which produces a performance every spring inspired by a popular fairytale. The choreography is then adapted into something positive and acceptable for a fall performance with AHA dancers, creating a bridge between the two groups. “This is a wonderful opportunity for the kids to know there is a place where they can be happy, accepted, and comfortable,” Susan said. “That is what is so remarkable about Art Heals. They put their kids in situations where there is trust, understanding, and the opportunity to be expressive.” Her students concur. “Art Heals Arizona proves the power of dance, and I’m so grateful that I get to experience that with the sweetest kids,” dancer Francesca Mena said. “It’s truly a heartwarming experience to dance with these children,” dancer Elizabeth Ramsey said. “They put themselves out there, bravely and boldly performing on a stage in front of strangers. It’s wonderful to forge connections with them through dance and show them the world of performance art in a way that can be healing.” The studio’s upcoming 40th anniversary will highlight the best of DTW and Story Book Ballet with productions of Swan Lake, Coppelia, and The Toy Shop . This fall, they will team up with AHA for a production of Alice in Wonderland , where dancers can improvise original poetry into elements of the story, such as wonder, falling, feeling lost, fear, magic, and friendship. It gives them the opportunity to own a character. “The children are extraordinary to work with,” dancer Carolina Togno said. “They come in with a strong spirit and passion to learn, dance, and share their stories. Getting the opportunity to meet new people and help guide them has truly been an honor. They taught me you can try new things even if they are difficult and do it while having fun.” “The collaboration is great,” Susan said. “What has been noteworthy over the years is how my dancers have been profoundly affected. It brings out such an incredible amount of compassion for my students, and it’s magical.” dancetheaterwest.com Fairy tales and the healing power of dance DTW members Carolina Togno, Zoraya Palacio, Christian Graeff, Francesca Mena and Elizabeth Ramsey. PHOTO COURTESY OF SUSAN SILVERMAN