Unidas, the award-winning after-school teen program run by the Women’s Foundation for the State of Arizona (WFSA), has announced it is accepting applications from March 1 through March 31 for its spring grant rounds generously sponsored for the second year by Buffalo Exchange. 

“We’re very happy to continue supporting the Unidas Program in 2022. It’s always been part of our mission to give back to the community and to empower women. WFSA’s Unidas program is a wonderful combination of those two things, so we’re proud to support that mission. We’re excited to see what the young women do with this year’s philanthropic grant,” said Kerstin Block, President and Co-owner of Buffalo Exchange. 

The grant award of $5,000 will be awarded after Unidas participants, ranging in age from 14-18, navigate an extensive selection process that includes community dialogue and interviews that guide their philanthropic decision. 
 
Last spring, Unidas selected Southern Arizona Senior Pride as the recipient of the grant funds for their work in serving the LGBTQI+ senior community. This year, the cohort has selected the focus area of racial justice. 

“Drastic change is needed to end the various oppressive structures that affect women and gender-expansive folks,” said Unidas participant Yaritza Durazo. She shared that her lived- experience has motivated her decision to support an organization that creates change and fights for racial justice. 
 
This unique approach to grant-making empowers young women to gain leadership skills and connects them with social issues, local non-profits, and like-minded peers at an important stage in their adolescence.   

Buffalo Exchange is a nationwide resale fashion retailer founded in Tucson who has pledged continued support of WFSA’s Unidas program as part of their philanthropic practices. They have raised over $96,000 for various Southern Arizona organizations since 2015.