The DAF Project

04/16/2025

This Thursday = our last Youth Empowerment experience in Queen Creek, AZ🫶🙌

We’re closing this desert chapter on Thursday with two powerhouse organizations who have shown up with heart, intention, and a desire to truly make a difference: Academy Bank & ReliaBookkeeping🫶

They’re excited to add value, contribute in a fun, unique way to youth & community empowerment, and soak up what we’ve been building for years right before the long Easter weekend!🫶🤍

If you’ve ever loved what we’ve done…
If you’ve said, “I’ve got to come to one of these…” This is it!

Come celebrate. Come learn. Come connect!

Thursday, 3–5 PM. Academy Bank, Queen Creek, Sprouts parking lot! Let’s build something that lasts!🫶

RSVP:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSe_rARyQFaF70VPdSeQbu5m0yYF3VF_gsGY1r-AL7rtJha4uA/viewform

04/09/2025

BANK IT & BUILD IT – FINAL TOUR
This is it, AZ. One last time to show up for the teens!

Whether they’re:
• opening a bank account
• moving into their first apartment
• saving for a car
• applying for scholarships
• figuring out credit, insurance, or business moves…

We’re giving them tools, confidence, and real answers from real professionals!

APRIL 17 | 3–5 PM
Academy Bank-Queen Creek, AZ
(Yes, it’s FREE thanks to our amazing Sponsors-Academy Bank & ReliaBookkeeping. Yes, there are giveaways. Yes, it’s for YOU.)

To the teens, the parents, and the community that’s rolled with us—thank you.
We’ve loved every moment. Now come help us finish strong.
Let’s celebrate the ripple effect we’ve started… one last time!🏦🙌🌊🫶

Registration 🔗:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSe_rARyQFaF70VPdSeQbu5m0yYF3VF_gsGY1r-AL7rtJha4uA/viewform

https://thechangeproject.us/etn/tours-for-teens-hunt-for-impact/

04/08/2025

A Heartfelt Thank You to Our Queen Creek Community—and Beyond🫶🩵

This milestone—$50,420 in scholarships gifted to 235 teens—is not just a number.
It’s a reflection of what happens when a community believes in something bigger than itself.

To our Queen Creek community—where this mission first took root, where our teens have been empowered, and where so many of you have poured into the vision from day one—thank you.

And to those of you beyond Queen Creek—across Phoenix, Gilbert, Mesa, and even the corners of the North East —who have sponsored, donated, bid, encouraged, and believed:
You’ve been part of this legacy, too.

It has been an incredibly meaningful journey to grow and build this work here in Queen Creek—a place where my own boys were raised alongside countless other teens who have benefited from your generosity, your belief, and your willingness to invest in real growth.

As a mom—thank you.
As a community member—thank you.
And as someone deeply committed to meaningful change, economic development, and teen mental wellness—thank you.

From the very beginning, this program was designed to give teens more than a seat at the table. It was meant to teach them how to earn their way, how to show up, and how to build lifelong habits, skills, attitudes, & expanding beliefs of what is possible to achieve that would serve them well beyond the eight weeks we spend together.

And while 235 teens made it across the finish line and earned their scholarship, we’ve worked with so many more who are still becoming—still growing—still transforming. We’ve watched young people step into leadership, serve in the Navy, Marines, become incredible parents, pursue purpose-driven careers, and build lives grounded in confidence and self-worth.

What we’ve seen cannot be measured by numbers alone. It’s deeper than that.
It’s transformation that talk therapy alone can’t touch—because it’s built on trust, connection, and action.

Thank you for being part of this.
We hope you’re as proud as we are.🫶🙌

04/05/2025

Join Us Tomorrow AM — Tour #3, Free Prizes & More Empowerment for Teens!🙌

If you don’t have any Saturday morning plans, we’d love for you to join us for Sports Performance Day — Tour #3 of our Tours for Teens movement to empower our youth right here in Queen Creek.

We’ve had over 30 teens attend our first two tours — Teen Med Spa Night & Teen Zen Night — and every one walked away with new confidence, clarity, and connections. Now we’re hoping to see that same energy carry into this weekend!

Parents, leaders, grads, local youth — this is for you!

It’s a chill Saturday morning filled with movement, leadership, samples, real conversations, and free raffle prizes worth hundreds in value, and if nothing else, just come hang out, enjoy some goodies, meet some incredible community partners who care about building better futures!🫶

Help us spread the word one more time.
Let’s keep showing this community how we raise better leaders — together.

Saturday, 4/5 8:30–10:30AM (TOMORROW)
Park behind 21499 E. Saddle Court, Queen Creek (south of Queen Creek Rd & Crismon)

Let’s make the magic happen!

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdQNwyvxPrj7aTvaT1v9loKgRmBN3CinxQLyBZ9tIGw0FejRA/viewform

https://thechangeproject.us/etn/tours-for-teens-hunt-for-impact/

04/04/2025

3rd TEEN TOUR drops TOMORROW! 8:30A🌄

If you still don’t know what we’re doing with Tours for Teens, it’s okay—because no one else is doing anything like this.🤗

This isn’t just career day. This is hands-on, real-world exposure to careers, purpose, and leadership, built specifically for teens & young adults. We’re talking life-changing conversations with local leaders who actually care—and who are giving teens access, insight, and inspiration.

Here’s what’s up:

🙌One teen is walking away with a $250 scholarship at the end of these tours—but only if they show up.

🙌We’ve only had 30 teens total at our last two tours. That’s WILD when we’ve got hundreds in this community who could benefit.

Parents—this part’s for you:
We know some teens haven’t come because of transportation or family plans.

We get it. But please hear this: this is different. This is the kind of opportunity you make time for. Your teen gets to meet physical therapists, entrepreneurs, military & business leaders in person. They get answers, mentorship, and a real look at what their future could be.

Saturday, April 5 – 8:30 to 10:30 AM
Queen Creek Community Park (off Crismon between Ocotillo & QC Rd)

SPAR Physical Therapy will lead skills + drills

Smoothie King (a local family with a powerful story) will be sharing their journey in entrepreneurship

Marines Queen Creek will be on site to talk leadership, ASVAB, and careers—and they’ve been our #1 most recognized leaders for teen engagement at events

🙌Free smoothie bowl samples for just coming out to talk & engage!

This is for teens. It’s also for young adults, past course grads, parents, educators, and community members who care. If you’ve ever said “we need change”—this is it. We’re already doing it.

So come on. Let’s go. Let’s light up Queen Creek with purpose, connection, and empowerment.
Don’t miss this. Share it. Show up. Let’s build something no one can ignore!!

Registration 🔗
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdQNwyvxPrj7aTvaT1v9loKgRmBN3CinxQLyBZ9tIGw0FejRA/viewform

https://thechangeproject.us/etn/tours-for-teens-hunt-for-impact/

04/04/2025

Watch this 60-second highlight reel from our Teen Med Spa Night!

We brought together an amazing group of professionals—Suzanne from Kokopelli MFR with Suzanne Blizzard , Mary from Mary Skin AZ , and Jenny from Jenny Knorr Aesthetics—for a powerful evening of hands-on learning and mentorship.

These providers didn’t just show up to share their expertise—they showed up with heart. From skincare and healing therapies to real talk about nursing, careers and life, they poured into our teens with purpose.

Each one of them took a moment to share what they love about their careers, why they got into their fields, and what it meant to connect with the next generation. Many are parents themselves, and giving back in this way lights them up.

This is what Tours for Teens is all about: real conversations, real exposure, and real opportunities.

And we’re not done yet…

Tomorrow is Sports Performance Day from 8:30-10:30AM!

If your teen is interested in physical therapy, the Marines Queen Creek, or starting a business like Smoothie King —this is the tour to show up for. SPAR Physical Therapy will be running drills, and we’ve got business owners ready to share their journey.

We’ve only got two tours left—and here’s the kicker: we are giving away a $250 scholarship during this month to one lucky teen/young adult who comes out and talks to six different leaders which can only be accomplished by coming to two tours. That’s $62.50/hour just for showing up, learning, and growing.

Parents, leaders, and future trailblazers—we invite you to be part of this movement. Let’s transform youth empowerment right here in Queen Creek.

Location: Community Park off Crismon & Queen Creek Rd (behind 21499 E Saddle Court, QC)
Saturday, April 5th
Time: 8:30-10:30AM Be there. Be inspired. Be part of the change.

Registration 🔗:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdQNwyvxPrj7aTvaT1v9loKgRmBN3CinxQLyBZ9tIGw0FejRA/viewform

https://thechangeproject.us/etn/tours-for-teens-hunt-for-impact/

04/03/2025

🙌Parents & Leaders—We Need You!🫶

If you’ve been following along with Teen Med Spa Night and Teen Zen Night, you already know—these teens are getting massive value. They’re sending late-night messages about how inspired and grateful they are. THIS is what it’s all about!

Now, we’ve got just TWO career tours left—and these aren’t just tours, they’re game-changers.

🔥 Sports Performance Day – This Saturday, 8:30-10:30 AM Physical TherapyAcademy Bank🔥Bank It & Build It – April 17, 3:00-5:00 PM @ Academy Bank

Why should your teen be there on Saturday?
👉 Athletes, future physical therapists, business owners, or military hopefuls—this one’s for them.
👉 Real-world career exposure—because teens don’t know what they don’t know!
👉 Top-tier networking & resume-building experiences—connections that can shape their future.
👉 Giveaways & perks from SPAR, Smoothie King, Queen Creek Marines & more.

Let’s be real—my own teenage son (a.k.a. NappyNapperson) would rather sleep all day too. But life is about to get real, and the ones who SHOW UP are the ones who LEVEL UP.

📢 Parents—Get your teens there. Leaders—We need you too.
If you can attend, sponsor, or share this with someone who needs it, let’s make it happen. Let’s empower the heck out of these kids! 💪

Registration 🔗:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdQNwyvxPrj7aTvaT1v9loKgRmBN3CinxQLyBZ9tIGw0FejRA/viewform

To Learn More:
https://thechangeproject.us/etn/tours-for-teens-hunt-for-impact/

04/03/2025

🎥 Hear It Straight from the Teens—This Experience is Next-Level! 🎥

Don’t just take our word for it—listen to what these teens are saying about their experience at Teen Med Spa Night!👩‍⚕️🧖‍♀️🤍

From walking into a space that felt like a real med spa to gaining hands-on experience with industry experts, these teens are leaving with knowledge, confidence, and clarity about their future.

💬 “It was so calming—it really felt like a real med spa!”
💬 “I learned so much about skincare and how to get started in this field!”
💬 “I had no idea this was an option for me before tonight!”

A huge shoutout to Mary Skin AZ, Jenny Knorr Aesthetics, and Suzanne with Kokopelli Myofascial Release for making this possible. These teens got access to career insights, expert knowledge, hands-on learning, AND some amazing giveaways—all for free.

🫶Only Two Tours Left!🙌

Want in on these hands-on career exploration experience? There are just TWO more Tours for Teens left!👇🏼

📅 Saturday, April 5 | Sports Performance Day | Queen Creek (Crismon & Queen Creek)
🔥 Featuring SPAR Physical Therapy, Smoothie King Marines Queen Creek , and top sports performance experts

📅 Thursday, April 17 | Bank It & Build It | Academy Bank Queen Creek | 3–5 PM
💰 Master money, career-building, and financial independence with bankers and financial experts leaders like ReliaBookkeeping

🔊 Community—Help Us Keep This Going!
These experiences are changing lives, but we need support to continue offering them. The Change Project 33rd Youth Empowerment Course didn’t happen this quarter due to lack of funding, and we don’t want to turn teens away from opportunities that could shape their futures.

📢 Check out the video, hear it from the teens, and help us make more of these moments happen!

https://thechangeproject.us/the-daf-project/

04/01/2025

Hey friends, we want to share an important update with you on Arizona Gives Day.🩵

The Change Project youth empowerment courses have always been funded by grants and business sponsorships. But for the first time ever, we’ve started the year without substantial grant funding in the first two quarters—leaving us without the resources to launch our 33rd youth course.

If you’ve followed our work, you know these courses provide life-changing experiences—building workforce readiness, leadership skills, confidence, and resilience in teens from all backgrounds. We believe every young person deserves access to these tools, and today, we’re asking for your help to make that happen.

A $33 donation might not seem like much, but when multiplied by 100, 200, or even 500 people, it becomes a game-changer for our youth and community.

So if you believe in what we do and want to help fuel our 33rd course, we invite you to give today. If your organization has grant or sponsorship opportunities, we’d love to connect!

Donate here:
https://buy.stripe.com/28oaHz0kQgT27047sz

Thank you for being part of this mission. Your support truly makes an impact!🩵🌊
https://thechangeproject.us/the-daf-project/

03/31/2025

Parents & Business Leaders: Let’s Give Teens a Career Head Start!🙌

Did you know that 70% of workers in the U.S. can’t wait for Friday? Imagine if we could change that by helping teens experience their career options before they commit.

That’s exactly what Tours for Teens is about!

Teen Med Spa Night is happening this Wednesday from 5:30–7:30 PM, and it’s the perfect opportunity for teens and young adults to explore careers in:
💉 Nursing & healthcare
🌿 Occupational therapy & wellness
✨ Esthetics & skincare

✅ Hands-on learning – Not just a tour, but a real experience
✅ Mentorship from industry pros – Ask real questions, get real answers
✅ Open to parents & business leaders – If you’re in the medical or wellness field, come share your wisdom!

We still have spots available! If your teen is even remotely interested in these fields, this experience could be a game-changer. DM us to secure a spot!

Tag a parent, teen, or business leader who should see this!

Registration 🔗
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfsL69DJznSgBsMcC1GBaaVFsEDgXakxdaV-tacQ3yJKgbeYw/viewform

Tours for Teens Spring Initiative:
https://thechangeproject.us/etn/tours-for-teens-hunt-for-impact/

03/31/2025

03/31/2025

🫶PARENTS, THIS FREE EVENT IS FOR YOUR TEENS & YOUNG ADULTS! 🔹

If your teen or young adult is considering a future in the medical field, nursing, esthetics, or occupational therapy, this is an incredible hands-on opportunity they won’t want to miss!

✨ Teen Med Spa Night isn’t just about skincare—it’s about real career connections with industry leaders who are opening their doors to share insider knowledge, hands-on experiences, and career insights.

👩‍⚕️ Meet the Experts:
💉 Jenny Knorr Aesthetics
🌿 Suzanne Blizzard with Kokopelli Myofascial Release
💆‍♀️ Mary Skin AZ

🎁 PLUS, HUGE GIVEAWAYS! Last week, one lucky teen & her mom walked away with over $500 in treatments & skincare!

🔥 ONLY 10 SPOTS LEFT!

✅ Perfect for high school & college students exploring career paths
✅ Great for parents who want to support their teen’s future—or come learn yourself!
✅ A unique chance to ask questions, gain hands-on experience, and build confidence in a growing industry

📢 Don’t let them miss this! Tag a parent who needs to see this, or DM us NOW to claim a spot!

🗓️Wednesday, April 2nd
🕛5:30-7:30PM
📍 The Change Project, Queen Creek

Registration Link:
https://forms.gle/ZYsWJ3Ex1qHAhFs39

Tours for Teens:
https://thechangeproject.us/etn/tours-for-teens-hunt-for-impact