Maryvale Curb Appeal Program – This program is an exterior permanent improvement assistance program.  We offer the first $500 towards the improvement of the exterior of an owner occupied home within our target area.  Examples of items eligible are exterior paint, roofing, desert landscaping (rock), driveways and front yard fencing.  Air conditioners, back fences, patios, doors & windows are examples of what is not allowed under this program.  If the project costs more than $500 the home owner is responsible for the difference.  The home owner has 30 days to complete the project upon receiving the needed product for the project. Our target area is from 35th Avenue (southwest of Grand Ave) to 91^st Avenue from McDowell Road to Camelback Road within the City of Phoenix city limits. 

Tool Trailer Neighborhood Clean Ups Program – We have an enclosed totally outfitted tool trailer to work with local community and neighborhood groups doing clean ups.  The trailer has garbage bags, wheelbarrows, paint rollers, trimmers, pruners, gloves, shovels, rakes and small hand tools.  By providing the needed tools and equipment we can partner with the community to help them have a greater impact in their efforts.  The trailer is used out in the community almost every month.

Graffiti Abatement Trailer Program – In 2006 we built our graffiti abatement trailer with a gas powered sprayer available for neighborhoods to use to clean up their areas.  We are using the trailer to assist in rapid graffiti abatement in our target area.  The trailer will be equipped not only with the sprayer but also rollers and brushes for smaller abatement sites while working in a community.  This trailer is in the community once or twice every month, in fact – in 2006 it was used to cover over 1,500 graffiti sites, in 2007 & again in 2008 over 2,000 graffiti sites, in 2009 over 7,900 were covered.

Arterial Streetscaping Program - We received two grants, submitted in partnership with Phoenix Parks & Recreation, to address the lack of streetscaping in the Maryvale area.  Parks is responsible for the maintenance of the frontage roads.   This partnership fixed watering systems and replaced missing landscaping along the frontage roads of the arterial streets in the community.  This follows our principle that first impressions are lasting impressions.  What potential new businesses or home owners see in a community are the arterial streets and those impressions affect their willingness to join our community.  This program can lead to economic development and greater neighborhood stability.  In 2008 we planted over 300 trees & 150 bushes along with doing over 1,200 tons of granite landscaping on the frontage roads of the arterial streets.  Additional funding has been secured to expand on this program in 2009/2010.

Maryvale Weed & Seed - We have worked with several organizations including the City of Phoenix to submit a proposal to the Department of Justice for a federal grant - a Maryvale Weed & Seed project.  This is a wide ranging program of addressing crime issues and planting positive seeds of intervention and prevention programs in the area along with a housing restoration program.  In August 2007 we were notified we had been selected as a Weed & Seed site.  The project began in October 2007 and received 2nd & 3rd year funding since then.  

Maryvale Leadership Education Training - In September 2009 we began monthly trainings on leadership education to help create new leaders in the community.  Topics planned include Servant Leadership Style, Utilizing Resources, Effective Communications with City Government, Grant Writing, Planning Successful Events and others.   The first class of 30 individuals ranging from high school through retirement are currently in the (9 classes over 10 months) training program.

 Minor Home Repair - In fall/winter of 2009 we began working with several home owners for minor home repair programs.  All the homes have been selected and the work is ongoing to complete these projects regarding painting, roof repair and other needed improvements.  We are fortunate to partner with Labor's Community Service Agency and the city of Phoenix Neighborhood Services Department in this program. This round of repairs were completed in February 2010.

Maryvale Adolescent Provider's Partnership - In late 2008 we held a meeting with various youth providers.  From that meeting this group was formed and continues to meet monthly.  In October 2009 one piece of that program - Maryvale Youth In MOTION held their first community event, planned and carried out by teenagers in the community, their second event: a teen forum is scheduled for February 2010.  The group put together a traveling youth basketball league made up of 8 of our member sites with the Maryvale Community Center (The Glass House) winning the tournament in year one.  The group also works together to provide free trainings to the staff of the member agencies.

Several more programs are currently being considered for 2010 including employment education, misdemeanor diversion classes, work with concerned residents to create neighborhood associations and block watches to mention a few.  We are working with the Pan Asian Cultural Community group to help them find a location to add several new assets to our community, as well as promote economic investment in the community.