Applications Now Open
2023 Diane Lynn Anderson Memorial Award
Prior to her death in 1990, Diane Anderson was a major force in implementing programs for people with disabilities in Pima County when no such programs were available.
The Diane Lynn Anderson Memorial Award was established by an anonymous donor at the Community Foundation for Southern Arizona in memory of Diane to recognize those who, through their work, have shown the same kinds of qualities Diane possessed: active acceptance, respect, compassion, devotion, and caring for people with disabilities.
Nominees may be individuals, including volunteers, who demonstrate the same kind of qualities Diane exhibited. Organizations or programs that have established advocacy services and/or increased community resources for people with disabilities may also be nominated.
The recipient(s) will be announced in February and honored at the Community Foundation for Southern Arizona’s Annual Event on Thursday, April 27th, 2023.
The deadline for nominations is Friday, February 3rd, 2023, by 5:00 PM MST.
Click here to submit a nomination.
Nominations are submitted through the Common Grant Application. A profile must be created in order to submit a nomination.
If you have previously used the Common Grant Application to submit a grant request to CFSA, you may use your existing login. Click here for a brief tutorial on using the Common Grant Application.
Questions?
Contact Enedina Miller, Program Manager, at emiller@cfsaz.org or call (520) 770-0800 x 7111.
2022 Award Recipients
CFSA is pleased to announce that Talon Duncan, Ranch Manager of Echoing Hope Ranch, and Jim Roden, Lead Pastor of The Journey Church, are the 2022 Diane Lynn Anderson Memorial Award recipients.
Talon Duncan, a Southern Arizona native, began working at Echoing Hope Ranch upon graduating from high school. He has since become the Ranch Manager. Echoing Hope Ranch’s mission is growth, discovery, and lifelong learning in safe and respectful homes and communities for adults and teens with autism and other developmental disabilities. The guiding philosophy of Echoing Hope is to acknowledge each person as a dynamic human being and to help them build as full and satisfying life as possible by recognizing each individual with autism’s strengths and putting them to good use.
Regarding his experience working at Echoing Hope Ranch, Talon shared, “My oldest sister is developmentally disabled, and I was fortunate to grow up being around her because it made me more understanding and compassionate towards others with similar disabilities. I’ve now worked for the ranch for almost six years. I love my job and the amazing people I work with.”
Jim Roden and his family have been part of The Journey Church for 19 years. The Journey Church, an Evangelical Free Church, offers a special program, Friends for Life, which provides opportunities for adults with disabilities to develop relationships with each other and the volunteers that serve in the ministry. Friends for Life meets twice monthly for participants to spend time together, have fun, share in small groups, and learn about Jesus. They are also provided with an opportunity for bible study and a social outing each month to help deepen relationships.
Jim recently received his Doctoral Degree at Talbot Theological Seminary, where his dissertation focused on the relationship between disability ministry and church health. Upon being notified as this year’s Diane Lynn Anderson Memorial Award recipient, Jim shared, “I am deeply honored to be nominated for this award, but I cannot accept it alone. This award belongs to the staff, leadership, and congregants of The Journey Church–especially those with disabilities. They are the ones who have embraced the disability-inclusive gospel message of Jesus and created a culture of love, acceptance, and reciprocity.”