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CANYON CORRIDOR CONNECTION | 5
A: The campaign we ran was a grass roots effort
not to elect one individual but to engage and
empower our residents. Since then, our team
has been committed to building bridges
between our community members and the
city services and resources every day. We
are able to accomplish this by educating
residents about reporting graffiti, cleaning
up our streets and even adding sidewalks.
We have recently formed relationships with
parent organizations at all of the schools in
District 5 where we speak and engage with
residents about their concerns as well as the
importance of their voice in government.
In partnership with Mayor Stanton’s Office
and the Phoenix Revitalization Corporation,
we have recently formed District 5’s first
Leadership Academy in which residents
learn about self-empowerment and their
potential impact to improve our community
as well as how to impact the policy process
in our city. Our first Leadership Academy
class graduated Feb. 25, 2013. The first
class is already working to invest their new
energy into their neighborhoods. If you
know someone that would be interested in
developing their leadership skills, please
contact our office for more information at
602-262-7446.
Q: How do you see your office involved with the
community revitalization efforts, tangible
support for organizations, etc.?
A: We will continue to shine a light on
community revitalization and organizations
making a difference through our various
communication channels, including
(phoenix.gov/district 5), our neighborhood
newsletter, the DTV television show
airing on Cox Channel 11 and YouTube.
If you are a musician, business, non-profit
organization, neighborhood leader or
educational institution in the Canyon
Corridor area, please contact us to be
featured in our DTV television show or our
newsletter at 602-262-7446.
Q: What actions could you take to help drive new
businesses into the Canyon Corridor?
A: Currently, we are working with key
stakeholders of the community to reach
out to all businesses in the Canyon
Corridor. The objective is to inform them
about key city resources for businesses and
business opportunities with the city. As
we progress with these efforts, we intend
to form a Canyon Corridor Business
Alliance to further define the area as one
of vital economic growth. This alliance
will be able to provide critical policy input
to the city and our office. We continue to
engage experts in this area, such as the
Greater Phoenix Chamber of Commerce,
Local First AZ and the Greater Phoenix
Economic Council.
Q: What else do you think Grand Canyon University
could do to make a positive impact on the
neighborhood?
A: GCU has been a tremendous partner for
the Canyon Corridor area and the city as
a whole. GCU has moved into the national
spotlight, including the upgrade to NCAA
Division I status for its sports program – a
first for a Phoenix university. The leadership
at GCU understands that the neighborhoods
surrounding the university are vital to its
continued success and that they cannot
exist as an island. GCU offers a gathering
space, or central hub, for the community,
with outdoor spaces and family-oriented
entertainment events. GCU attracts some of
our smartest young minds from around the
country. It creates high-paying jobs and is a
key economic development tool for the West
Valley. GCU is an economic engine that will
draw new residents, visitors and businesses
to the area.
Q: Any final thoughts you would like to share with
our Canyon Corridor neighbors?
Thank you for your support and investing
your energy into our neighborhood! ■
[T]he Canyon Corridor is special because it
has become a model for the positive impact true
collaboration can have on an area.”
—COUNCILMAN DANNY VALENZUELA
Councilman Danny Valenzuela Speaks
Out About Domestic Violence Awareness
Month
As your Phoenix City Council Representative,
I am proud to say that we have directed the
city to work toward ending domestic violence
through education, funding shelters, and
reaching out to our communities. Domestic
violence is one of the most widespread and
dangerous health and safety challenges in
our community today. In October, the city
will Paint Phoenix Purple in observance
of National Domestic Violence Awareness
Month. My colleagues on the City Council
and I, are committed to making Phoenix a
national leader in preventing and responding
to domestic violence.
I am also proud to say that Grand Canyon
University, under the leadership of President
Brian Mueller, has joined the Paint Phoenix
Purple campaign and is the first university in
our state to design an awareness campaign
on domestic violence for its students, faculty
and staff. Their message to “shift the culture”
away from domestic violence is ambitious and
communicates our responsibility as individuals
to begin this noble cause.
As your Council Representative, I am excited
to stand with you and all of our community
partners in speaking out against domestic
violence and beginning the challenge to
“shift the culture” toward developing healthy
relationships. I want to thank Grand Canyon
University for being the first university and
major employer in our great city to join the
Paint Phoenix Purple campaign.
Go ‘Lopes!!
Paint
Phoenix
Purple
For more information, visit
If you or somone you know is in need
of victim services, call the Family
Advocacy Center at 602-534-2120
or the National Domestic Violence
Hotline at 1-800-799-7233.