We had the good fortune of connecting with Ibis Valles and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Ibis, what matters most to you?
I find the principle of giving back to the community the simple yet profound act that we can all do. This isn’t just about charity; it’s a fundamental principle that has been part of my life and, through my volunteer work, has shown me the incredible power of community.

This value became even more a part of my everyday life when I started volunteering at Valley Bloom, formerly Assistance League of the East Valley. Our goal is straightforward: to breakdown barriers that keep children, teens and adults from meeting their potential. One of our programs, Valley Bloom Students, provides school uniforms and school clothes for low-income students and we also supply essential items like toiletries, school supplies and other needed items to homeless teens so that they feel confident at school. We also give financial assistance to qualified seniors graduating from the East Valley Institute of Technology and qualifying homeless teens in Chandler and Gilbert who plan to pursue higher education.

We also provide needed items to agencies that then gives our packaged Care Kits to people in crisis or trauma, teddy bears to children in crisis and needed cleaning supplies to families transitioning to housing through our Valley Bloom Cares program.

Our last program, Valley Bloom Adult Enrichment provided disabled adults with monthly activities and snacks at an adult day care center.

Our team isn’t just a group of volunteers; we’re a community. We run a thrift shop in Chandler called Valley Bloom Cares Thrift Shop to raise funds for our programs. We also have a grant writing committee and we host a major fundraising event each year called Runway for Hope Fashion Show.

When you give, you don’t just help others, you enrich your own life and strengthen the fabric or your community.

What should our readers know about your business?
Valley Bloom was originally part of a national nonprofit
organization called Assistance League. We became an all-
volunteer chapter of that national organization and have
focused our efforts on supporting students in the East Valley. We
have two other programs that provide Care Kits, teddy bears and
cleaning supplies to partner agencies who then provide them to
those in crisis or need. We also volunteer at a adult daycare
facility bringing a social event each month to the attendees.

In February we decided to leave that national organization and
become an independent nonprofit serving the East Valley. We
wanted to stay the same group helping in the same way we
always have but with the ability to keep all our fundraising dollars
here.

That decision was a good one with major challenges, especially
for an all-volunteer group. I was proud of the way we all worked
together and picked a new name, logo and completed the very
long list of items that needed to be changed and updated to
reflect our new identity.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Since I’m from Cuba I have to highlight a spot that serves a great Cuban sandwich.
Mambo’s Dominican Kitchen in Chandler serves delicious Cuban sandwiches, sweet
plantains and yucca fries. Mambos is affordable, has fun music and a friendly staff.

I’m going to stick to Chandler since our Thrift Shop is located there. I like going to
downtown Chandler. Its a great area with local eateries, craft breweries, farmers market
and shopping. There’s often live music and themed events planned depending
on the time of year.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I wouldn’t be President of a successful nonprofit organization that just left our national
organization to become a independent local nonprofit and helps over 10,000 children,
teens and adults each year without the dedicated members and volunteers who work
hours in the Thrift Shop, on our programs supporting various needs in the East Valley
and raising funds through grant writing or our spring fundraising event. Their friendship
and dedication keeps me energized and uplifted.

Website: https://www.valleybloom.org

Instagram: valleybloomaz

Linkedin: ValleyBloom

Facebook: ValleyBloom

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