Contact: Jean Christofferson
Catholic Charities Community Services
Cell: 602-650-4847
MEDIA ADVISORY
Community/Youth Advocate Bev Tittle Baker Leaves Ongoing Legacy in East Valley
MESA, ARIZ. — June 4, 2018 — Bev Tittle Baker, 72, national and international social-justice award winner, youth advocate, and founder of the nonprofit Community Asset & Resource Enterprise (CARE) Partnership in Mesa, Ariz., died Tues., May 29, 2018.
A phenomenal community organizer and strong advocate of human rights, Tittle Baker embraced diversity and championed self-empowerment. Her contagious philosophy, grounded in asset-based community development, contributed strongly to her success in bringing together groups and individuals from all walks of life to share their time, talent and resources to improve the lives of others.
In 1994, Tittle Baker founded the non-profit Community Asset & Resource Enterprise (CARE) Partnership in Mesa, which began as an afterschool program in her backyard. The program quickly grew into a multiservice community center providing myriad wellness, educational and primary health services and activities, and was primarily operated by community volunteers.
CARE’s accomplishments include the Emergency Santa program, which serves 2,700 children annually, youth educational programs and services, a medical clinic providing more than $10 million worth of primary health services to uninsured and underinsured community members, and other enriching services.
Tittle Baker’s work in the Mesa community will continue at the campus Bev founded and developed near Broadway and Stapley in Mesa, now operated by Catholic Charities. The staff and volunteers will continue to provide critical outreach to youth with after-school programs, the Emergency Santa program and additional medical and dental clinics in the future.
Tittle Baker’s Honors and Awards Include:
1995: Hon Kachina 12-Who-Care-Award
1995: American Institute for Public Service – Jefferson Award
1995: State of Arizona Governor’s Office Honor – Community Service
1996: Washington Times Foundation – National Service Award
1997: State and National Association for Family Community Education – Spirit Award
1998: Rio Salado Chapter, AIA – Community Vision Award
2000: Arizona Community Action Network – Hearts and Hands Award
2000: Maricopa County Headstart – Community Partner Award
2001: National and City – Neighborhood Excellence Award
2002: Ambassador for Peace
2004: Bank of America – Neighborhood Hero
2005: Sertoma International Award for Service
2006: Robert Wood Johnson Community Health Leader Award
Donations to the Bev Tittle Baker Youth Scholorship Fund can be made at www.catholiccharitiesaz.org/bev-t-baker.
Founded in 1933, Catholic Charities provides care for the vulnerable of all faiths in central and northern Arizona through programs in foster care, early education, affordable housing, veteran services, refugee resettlement, and homeless outreach. Learn more by visiting www.catholiccharitiesaz.org. Social connections include www.facebook.com/CatholicCharitiesAZ and twitter.com/CCArizona.
