Going into 2024, the team at Phillips Law Group knew a dedication to serving the homeless was going to be more of a focus for the firm than ever before. We get the opportunity to assist this population in the Phoenix area with the help of many wonderful outreach partners, and the latest Cloud Covered Streets and Phillips Law Group team-up to host a Feeding Arizona event was an extremely successful example of how we can give back with a little help from other organizations.
In the summer of 2023, our firm began a new partnership with Cloud Covered Streets. The organization is a 501c3 nonprofit with the goal of providing “hope, compassion, kindness, connection, and essential supplies to those experiencing homelessness.”
Cloud Covered Streets brings a mobile unit to homeless community outreach opportunities and provides showers, laundry services, haircuts, clothing, supplies, and other services and items at many of their events. At the Feeding Arizona event on February 19, Cloud Covered Streets and Phillips Law Group were able to work together to provide those services, blessing bags, and more to all in need who attended the occasion.
“This event was truly the most touching event for Cloud Covered Streets that we have done, in my opinion,” said Sharon Mews, an Office Support Assistant on the Marketing team at the firm.
This Feeding Arizona and Cloud Covered Streets event had nine Phillips Law Group volunteers and six guest volunteers in attendance, covering various tasks as needed. A few volunteers brought breakfast burritos, and Ilce Plancarte, the Community Outreach Coordinator at the firm, also ordered breakfast sandwiches, juice, and coffee from Panera Bread to provide to anyone there. Ultimately, a total of 94 people were served at the February 19 event.
Several individuals signed up to get their nails done as well as makeup and facials, and different volunteers assisted with those tasks. One volunteer said she “felt pretty” after getting her makeup done by Olivia Lemorrocco, Client Experience Coordinator at Phillips Law Group, and Ilce helped her with her nails and a hand massage.
“I love when we get to make women feel beautiful,” Ilce said.
25 people received haircuts from barbers at the event, and as usual, Cloud Covered Streets provided showers and laundry services. At one point, Sharon overheard one man say “Man, I haven’t had a shower in a while.”
“My heart broke when I heard that, but it just brought home the fact that this is who we are here to assist,” she said.
The event also featured a new resource provided to our homeless neighbors: pet blessing bags. After several team members at Phillips Law Group recently lost beloved pets, an idea to provide bags with essential items for cherished animal companions of the homeless population was born.
Each of the bags included a can of dog food, a doggy chew, dog treats, waste bags, a tennis ball, and a company-branded shirt that could fit dogs. On the front of every bag, a label was included that read, “In honor of: _______. Someone at Phillips Law Group made this bag just for your fur-baby,” along with a heart and the pet’s picture.
The bags were “named” for Minnie – Sharon’s dog, Rambo – Ilce’s dog, and Jeff and Olga Phillips’ dog, Oliver.
“It really meant so much to know that these pets will have a few goodies to get them through this tough time,” Sharon said.
One other new aspect of this Feeding Arizona event was the attendance of Phillips Law Group attorney Sean Davis, who showed up to assist with serving coffee.
“He was right on it, giving coffee to anyone that came through the line,” Sharon said. “It was also helpful having Sean there, as we did have several people ask about our legal services.”
Our firm has several volunteer events coming up, and we are always happy to welcome new volunteers to service opportunities! If you are interested in learning more about our community outreach efforts or want to get involved, please contact us and we’ll find you the perfect chance to give back.
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