RE:CENTER HISTORY

FOUNDING STORY

The RE:center began as a response to an ongoing need in our community. Many people were coming to theCHURCH of AZ seeking support—spiritual, emotional, physical, financial, social, or mental. Rather than reinventing the wheel, theCHURCH began helping individuals navigate the resources already available. During this time, church leadership met with town and county officials, partner agencies, and community members to understand the gaps and needs. This became a season of strong relationship-building and collaboration.

Over time, it became clear that serving the community effectively required a separate nonprofit, a dedicated and diverse team, and a larger facility. In 2019, theCHURCH established an independent 501(c)(3) public charity and purchased a separate building to house the RE:center. theCHURCH remains the RE:center’s partner and largest private donor and continues to lease its outreach building at no cost to support the mission.

2019

Purchased the RE:center facility and restructured the organization as an independent 501(c)(3).
Opened our doors to the public for community resource referrals.

2020

Pivoted operations to support Covid-19 relief efforts and became a hub for the NavApache Feeding Coalition.
Launched day-to-day Hunger Relief services and became a United Food Bank partner site.
Hired our first program staff and launched the RE:entry Mentorship Program.

2021

Launched the Mama Mentorship Program.
Began hosting SCSEP and AZ@Work Work Experience participants.
Opened our café to provide emergency meals and lunch service after the Love Kitchen’s closure.
Became an approved Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) site.
Developed and launched our operational model, the Survive-to-Thrive Initiative.
Joined the Navajo County Local Continuum to End Homelessness and Navopache Coordinated Entry Case Conferencing.

2022

Received United Food Bank’s Shining Bright award for excellence in wrap-around services.
Awarded a $1.5 million grant from the Arizona Department of Housing and purchased four homes for transitional recovery housing.

2023

Welcomed our first participant into transitional recovery housing.
Launched our first Staying Ahead class focused on life skills and long-term stability.
Hosted our first annual fundraising gala.