thank you very much thanks for being here it’s thanks for
thanks for being here it’s thanks for
thanks for being here it’s thanks for inviting me to be here I sometimes
inviting me to be here I sometimes
inviting me to be here I sometimes wonder why things are happening at Grand
wonder why things are happening at Grand
wonder why things are happening at Grand Canyon like they do and just listening
Canyon like they do and just listening
Canyon like they do and just listening to Allison and Steven it just reminds me
to Allison and Steven it just reminds me
to Allison and Steven it just reminds me that things happen because because of
that things happen because because of
that things happen because because of the unbelievable talent that we have
the unbelievable talent that we have
the unbelievable talent that we have around here both faculty staff students
around here both faculty staff students
around here both faculty staff students in fact I was so impressed by Allison’s
in fact I was so impressed by Allison’s
in fact I was so impressed by Allison’s message that I changed my message and I
message that I changed my message and I
message that I changed my message and I want to do I want to talk about looking
want to do I want to talk about looking
want to do I want to talk about looking and seen how many of you are business
and seen how many of you are business
and seen how many of you are business students are there any business students
students are there any business students
students are there any business students out here fantastic I want to challenge
out here fantastic I want to challenge
out here fantastic I want to challenge you today and yes I did start out as a
you today and yes I did start out as a
you today and yes I did start out as a coach and I will talk like a coach I
coach and I will talk like a coach I
coach and I will talk like a coach I can’t help but I get in front of an
can’t help but I get in front of an
can’t help but I get in front of an audience and I feel like I’m in front of
audience and I feel like I’m in front of
audience and I feel like I’m in front of my team and so if I speak that way it’s
my team and so if I speak that way it’s
my team and so if I speak that way it’s because that’s been my background but I
because that’s been my background but I
because that’s been my background but I think it’s time that we start stopped
think it’s time that we start stopped
think it’s time that we start stopped looking at the world or looking around
looking at the world or looking around
looking at the world or looking around the world or looking through the world
the world or looking through the world
the world or looking through the world and we start seeing the world the way it
and we start seeing the world the way it
and we start seeing the world the way it really is and I don’t think there’s ever
really is and I don’t think there’s ever
really is and I don’t think there’s ever been a greater or starker contrast in
been a greater or starker contrast in
been a greater or starker contrast in our world that would exist in America
our world that would exist in America
our world that would exist in America today and I think we have to start
today and I think we have to start
today and I think we have to start seeing it for what it is and confronting
seeing it for what it is and confronting
seeing it for what it is and confronting it directly and doing something about it
it directly and doing something about it
it directly and doing something about it versus talking about it we just came out
versus talking about it we just came out
versus talking about it we just came out of a presidential campaign where we
of a presidential campaign where we
of a presidential campaign where we talked a lot about business in Wall
talked a lot about business in Wall
talked a lot about business in Wall Street and problems on Wall Street we
Street and problems on Wall Street we
Street and problems on Wall Street we also talked about a lot about inner
also talked about a lot about inner
also talked about a lot about inner cities in poverty and we live in an
cities in poverty and we live in an
cities in poverty and we live in an incredibly complex time those of you
incredibly complex time those of you
incredibly complex time those of you that are following business and
that are following business and
that are following business and following Wall Street and where things
following Wall Street and where things
following Wall Street and where things are going in this country we’ve never
are going in this country we’ve never
are going in this country we’ve never had a run-up like this we’ve never had a
had a run-up like this we’ve never had a
had a run-up like this we’ve never had a time where Wall Street is just exploding
time where Wall Street is just exploding
time where Wall Street is just exploding but we’ve also never had a time where
but we’ve also never had a time where
but we’ve also never had a time where our inner cities were exploding at the
our inner cities were exploding at the
our inner cities were exploding at the same time and so we live in this world
same time and so we live in this world
same time and so we live in this world today in this country today of the stark
today in this country today of the stark
today in this country today of the stark contrasts now I will speak from a
contrasts now I will speak from a
contrasts now I will speak from a Christian worldview perspective because
Christian worldview perspective because
Christian worldview perspective because that’s what I am I hope this has some
that’s what I am I hope this has some
that’s what I am I hope this has some application for you whether you are a
application for you whether you are a
application for you whether you are a Christ follower or not but I sometimes
Christ follower or not but I sometimes
Christ follower or not but I sometimes think that God looks down on this and
think that God looks down on this and
think that God looks down on this and says you know there is stark contrast
says you know there is stark contrast
says you know there is stark contrast here that’s unacceptable and when is
here that’s unacceptable and when is
here that’s unacceptable and when is somebody going to quit stop stop talking
somebody going to quit stop stop talking
somebody going to quit stop stop talking about it
about it
about it start doing something about it and
start doing something about it and
start doing something about it and that’s what we are trying to do at Grand
that’s what we are trying to do at Grand
that’s what we are trying to do at Grand Canyon that’s the thing that is become
Canyon that’s the thing that is become
Canyon that’s the thing that is become that has become our purpose one of the
that has become our purpose one of the
that has become our purpose one of the things I’ve learned in the last eight
things I’ve learned in the last eight
things I’ve learned in the last eight years is that while star that Washington
years is that while star that Washington
years is that while star that Washington cannot solve the problem of poverty I
cannot solve the problem of poverty I
cannot solve the problem of poverty I was a history major and I taught history
was a history major and I taught history
was a history major and I taught history for a long time and I remember the 1960s
for a long time and I remember the 1960s
for a long time and I remember the 1960s and Lyndon Johnson and he came out with
and Lyndon Johnson and he came out with
and Lyndon Johnson and he came out with this great plan that he was going to he
this great plan that he was going to he
this great plan that he was going to he was going to conduct a war on poverty
was going to conduct a war on poverty
was going to conduct a war on poverty and he had the best of intentions but
and he had the best of intentions but
and he had the best of intentions but what happened is he created an
what happened is he created an
what happened is he created an entitlement system that created a lot of
entitlement system that created a lot of
entitlement system that created a lot of dependency and poverty has gotten worse
dependency and poverty has gotten worse
dependency and poverty has gotten worse not better and our inner cities have
not better and our inner cities have
not better and our inner cities have gotten worse not better and they
gotten worse not better and they
gotten worse not better and they continue to get worse Washington not
continue to get worse Washington not
continue to get worse Washington not cannot solve the problem of poverty the
cannot solve the problem of poverty the
cannot solve the problem of poverty the problem of poverty starts with business
problem of poverty starts with business
problem of poverty starts with business and it can only be fixed by business
and it can only be fixed by business
and it can only be fixed by business what happens in inner cities this used
what happens in inner cities this used
what happens in inner cities this used to be a middle-class community in fact
to be a middle-class community in fact
to be a middle-class community in fact an upper-middle class community this
an upper-middle class community this
an upper-middle class community this used to be a thriving community
used to be a thriving community
used to be a thriving community if you drive up and down Camelback in
if you drive up and down Camelback in
if you drive up and down Camelback in Indian School you will see warehouses
Indian School you will see warehouses
Indian School you will see warehouses and you will see factories that used to
and you will see factories that used to
and you will see factories that used to employ people that created jobs that
employ people that created jobs that
employ people that created jobs that created a lot of prosperity here but
created a lot of prosperity here but
created a lot of prosperity here but you’ll see a lot of them today empty
you’ll see a lot of them today empty
you’ll see a lot of them today empty what happens is one company moves out in
what happens is one company moves out in
what happens is one company moves out in the tax base of roads another company
the tax base of roads another company
the tax base of roads another company moves out the tax base arose another
moves out the tax base arose another
moves out the tax base arose another company moves out the tax base erodes
company moves out the tax base erodes
company moves out the tax base erodes the momentum starts going in that
the momentum starts going in that
the momentum starts going in that direction and pretty soon there’s not
direction and pretty soon there’s not
direction and pretty soon there’s not enough money for public schools and
enough money for public schools and
enough money for public schools and parks and golf courses and pools and
parks and golf courses and pools and
parks and golf courses and pools and things that make a labor hood worth
things that make a labor hood worth
things that make a labor hood worth living in and so the people that can
living in and so the people that can
living in and so the people that can move out do and the people that have to
move out do and the people that have to
move out do and the people that have to stay do and what happens the gangs sense
stay do and what happens the gangs sense
stay do and what happens the gangs sense weakness and the gangs move in and they
weakness and the gangs move in and they
weakness and the gangs move in and they bring prostitution and they bring drugs
bring prostitution and they bring drugs
bring prostitution and they bring drugs and they bring gambling and those things
and they bring gambling and those things
and they bring gambling and those things that continue to deteriorate a
that continue to deteriorate a
that continue to deteriorate a population of people and then you have
population of people and then you have
population of people and then you have an inner city and so how do you turn
an inner city and so how do you turn
an inner city and so how do you turn that around what I believe I’ve learned
that around what I believe I’ve learned
that around what I believe I’ve learned in the last eight years is that
in the last eight years is that
in the last eight years is that Washington can’t do it it cannot be done
Washington can’t do it it cannot be done
Washington can’t do it it cannot be done from there it can only be done in
from there it can only be done in
from there it can only be done in neighborhoods but it can be done in
neighborhoods but it can be done in
neighborhoods but it can be done in neighborhoods it absolutely can be done
neighborhoods it absolutely can be done
neighborhoods it absolutely can be done in neighborhoods it requires two things
in neighborhoods it requires two things
in neighborhoods it requires two things the first thing that it requires is a
the first thing that it requires is a
the first thing that it requires is a catalyst
catalyst
catalyst somebody has to plant a flag in the
somebody has to plant a flag in the
somebody has to plant a flag in the ground and say we’re pushing back the
ground and say we’re pushing back the
ground and say we’re pushing back the other way
other way
other way this can
this can
this can go the other way 2010 when we had gone
go the other way 2010 when we had gone
go the other way 2010 when we had gone to Wall Street in 2008 to ask for money
to Wall Street in 2008 to ask for money
to Wall Street in 2008 to ask for money to go build out a Christian University
to go build out a Christian University
to go build out a Christian University at 33rd Avenue and Camelback it was a
at 33rd Avenue and Camelback it was a
at 33rd Avenue and Camelback it was a miracle that we got that out but we did
miracle that we got that out but we did
miracle that we got that out but we did and that gave us the capital we had we
and that gave us the capital we had we
and that gave us the capital we had we had our first partner our investors that
had our first partner our investors that
had our first partner our investors that gave us the capital to come back and
gave us the capital to come back and
gave us the capital to come back and build a university out by 2010 it became
build a university out by 2010 it became
build a university out by 2010 it became obvious to us that we were going to be
obvious to us that we were going to be
obvious to us that we were going to be able to invest a billion dollars in
able to invest a billion dollars in
able to invest a billion dollars in building a campus we thought that was
building a campus we thought that was
building a campus we thought that was going to happen so the big question is
going to happen so the big question is
going to happen so the big question is do you do it at 33rd Avenue and
do you do it at 33rd Avenue and
do you do it at 33rd Avenue and Camelback in the midst of all this
Camelback in the midst of all this
Camelback in the midst of all this poverty or do you go someplace that is
poverty or do you go someplace that is
poverty or do you go someplace that is cleaner and more wash do you go to
cleaner and more wash do you go to
cleaner and more wash do you go to Scottsdale or Paradise Valley or Gilbert
Scottsdale or Paradise Valley or Gilbert
Scottsdale or Paradise Valley or Gilbert or any of those places it was that
or any of those places it was that
or any of those places it was that decision that formed the purpose of
decision that formed the purpose of
decision that formed the purpose of Grand Canyon that somebody had to say
Grand Canyon that somebody had to say
Grand Canyon that somebody had to say we’re going to be the catalyst we’re
we’re going to be the catalyst we’re
we’re going to be the catalyst we’re gonna plant our flag here for better or
gonna plant our flag here for better or
gonna plant our flag here for better or worse and we’re gonna start pushing back
worse and we’re gonna start pushing back
worse and we’re gonna start pushing back the other way and that’s what’s happened
the other way and that’s what’s happened
the other way and that’s what’s happened and God has blessed us in unbelievable
and God has blessed us in unbelievable
and God has blessed us in unbelievable ways we are now a three billion dollar
ways we are now a three billion dollar
ways we are now a three billion dollar market cap company we have 80,000 plus
market cap company we have 80,000 plus
market cap company we have 80,000 plus students 18,000 on the campus and we
students 18,000 on the campus and we
students 18,000 on the campus and we have 65,000 students studying online
have 65,000 students studying online
have 65,000 students studying online Elliott pilot just finished an economic
Elliott pilot just finished an economic
Elliott pilot just finished an economic impact study that says we’re worth 1.1
impact study that says we’re worth 1.1
impact study that says we’re worth 1.1 billion dollars annually to the Arizona
billion dollars annually to the Arizona
billion dollars annually to the Arizona economy and a lot of that is because we
economy and a lot of that is because we
economy and a lot of that is because we have now 9,500 employees we become a
have now 9,500 employees we become a
have now 9,500 employees we become a major employer right here 33rd Avenue
major employer right here 33rd Avenue
major employer right here 33rd Avenue and Camelback we have 3,800 full-time
and Camelback we have 3,800 full-time
and Camelback we have 3,800 full-time 3,100 part-time 2,500 student workers
3,100 part-time 2,500 student workers
3,100 part-time 2,500 student workers that is bringing a lot of wealth a lot
that is bringing a lot of wealth a lot
that is bringing a lot of wealth a lot of money a lot of prosperity to this
of money a lot of prosperity to this
of money a lot of prosperity to this neighborhood and so what we could have
neighborhood and so what we could have
neighborhood and so what we could have done at that point is draw a wall around
done at that point is draw a wall around
done at that point is draw a wall around the neighborhood and say let’s just make
the neighborhood and say let’s just make
the neighborhood and say let’s just make it safe here and let the government deal
it safe here and let the government deal
it safe here and let the government deal with the world that’s outside of us but
with the world that’s outside of us but
with the world that’s outside of us but you see the government’s been trying for
you see the government’s been trying for
you see the government’s been trying for decades and they can’t do anything about
decades and they can’t do anything about
decades and they can’t do anything about it
it
it and so step two in addition to building
and so step two in addition to building
and so step two in addition to building this business and causing it to prosper
this business and causing it to prosper
this business and causing it to prosper bringing wealth and money and prosperity
bringing wealth and money and prosperity
bringing wealth and money and prosperity to this place the second thing we needed
to this place the second thing we needed
to this place the second thing we needed to do is keep that going because
to do is keep that going because
to do is keep that going because ultimately nothing changes without jobs
ultimately nothing changes without jobs
ultimately nothing changes without jobs we’ve created 9,500 jobs here but we
we’ve created 9,500 jobs here but we
we’ve created 9,500 jobs here but we have to keep creating them and so we
have to keep creating them and so we
have to keep creating them and so we have formed a partnership with some of
have formed a partnership with some of
have formed a partnership with some of our graduates and we’re going to keep
our graduates and we’re going to keep
our graduates and we’re going to keep doing that the idea is to look at every
doing that the idea is to look at every
doing that the idea is to look at every piece of
piece of
piece of property or asset that exists on the
property or asset that exists on the
property or asset that exists on the west side and say if we invest in that
west side and say if we invest in that
west side and say if we invest in that asset can it become a thriving business
asset can it become a thriving business
asset can it become a thriving business that will employ people and so that’s
that will employ people and so that’s
that will employ people and so that’s why we redevelop the golf course that’s
why we redevelop the golf course that’s
why we redevelop the golf course that’s why we developed a hotel that’s why we
why we developed a hotel that’s why we
why we developed a hotel that’s why we have two restaurants that’s why we have
have two restaurants that’s why we have
have two restaurants that’s why we have a coffee company in the next six months
a coffee company in the next six months
a coffee company in the next six months we’re going to have a canyon exchange
we’re going to have a canyon exchange
we’re going to have a canyon exchange company a canyon promotions company and
company a canyon promotions company and
company a canyon promotions company and a king and advertising company we’re
a king and advertising company we’re
a king and advertising company we’re gonna hire our recent graduates let them
gonna hire our recent graduates let them
gonna hire our recent graduates let them interview hire them give them the
interview hire them give them the
interview hire them give them the capital give them an advisory board and
capital give them an advisory board and
capital give them an advisory board and tell them to build that business but
tell them to build that business but
tell them to build that business but then hire people in the neighborhood
then hire people in the neighborhood
then hire people in the neighborhood because nothing permanently changes
because nothing permanently changes
because nothing permanently changes without jobs but because of the 9,500
without jobs but because of the 9,500
without jobs but because of the 9,500 jobs we have here because of the
jobs we have here because of the
jobs we have here because of the additional jobs that will continue to
additional jobs that will continue to
additional jobs that will continue to create as we invest in businesses and
create as we invest in businesses and
create as we invest in businesses and assets on the west side that are worthy
assets on the west side that are worthy
assets on the west side that are worthy of investment that can bring prosperity
of investment that can bring prosperity
of investment that can bring prosperity through jobs this is gonna be a much
through jobs this is gonna be a much
through jobs this is gonna be a much more desirable place to live the third
more desirable place to live the third
more desirable place to live the third thing we had to do is we had to say you
thing we had to do is we had to say you
thing we had to do is we had to say you know what our campus is safe we have our
know what our campus is safe we have our
know what our campus is safe we have our own police force of 174 police men and
own police force of 174 police men and
own police force of 174 police men and women but the neighborhood’s not and we
women but the neighborhood’s not and we
women but the neighborhood’s not and we can’t accept God’s blessings without
can’t accept God’s blessings without
can’t accept God’s blessings without extending them into the neighborhood so
extending them into the neighborhood so
extending them into the neighborhood so we did sign a million dollar contract
we did sign a million dollar contract
we did sign a million dollar contract with the City of Phoenix police and said
with the City of Phoenix police and said
with the City of Phoenix police and said you know what let’s get people out there
you know what let’s get people out there
you know what let’s get people out there and let’s over saturate this
and let’s over saturate this
and let’s over saturate this neighborhood with policemen and let’s
neighborhood with policemen and let’s
neighborhood with policemen and let’s get the crime out we’ve been working on
get the crime out we’ve been working on
get the crime out we’ve been working on that for four years now it’s not perfect
that for four years now it’s not perfect
that for four years now it’s not perfect I understand that but crime is down 30
I understand that but crime is down 30
I understand that but crime is down 30 percent year-over-year in this
percent year-over-year in this
percent year-over-year in this neighborhood it’s improving rapidly and
neighborhood it’s improving rapidly and
neighborhood it’s improving rapidly and it’s going to continue to improve the
it’s going to continue to improve the
it’s going to continue to improve the more positive things you bring to a
more positive things you bring to a
more positive things you bring to a place the more the bad guys want to move
place the more the bad guys want to move
place the more the bad guys want to move out and go someplace else in our
out and go someplace else in our
out and go someplace else in our neighborhood so our neighborhood is
neighborhood so our neighborhood is
neighborhood so our neighborhood is getting safer the fourth thing was that
getting safer the fourth thing was that
getting safer the fourth thing was that we see all these beautiful buildings
we see all these beautiful buildings
we see all these beautiful buildings these classrooms these laboratories 17
these classrooms these laboratories 17
these classrooms these laboratories 17 residence halls 24 restaurants 4 pools
residence halls 24 restaurants 4 pools
residence halls 24 restaurants 4 pools it’s a beautiful place that God’s
it’s a beautiful place that God’s
it’s a beautiful place that God’s blessed us with but the neighborhood
blessed us with but the neighborhood
blessed us with but the neighborhood wasn’t changing and so we formed another
wasn’t changing and so we formed another
wasn’t changing and so we formed another partnership with Habitat for Humanity
partnership with Habitat for Humanity
partnership with Habitat for Humanity and we said let’s let’s sign the biggest
and we said let’s let’s sign the biggest
and we said let’s let’s sign the biggest contract in in the history of the world
contract in in the history of the world
contract in in the history of the world with habitat and let’s raise money
with habitat and let’s raise money
with habitat and let’s raise money through the state tax credit program
through the state tax credit program
through the state tax credit program last year we raised 1.5 million dollars
last year we raised 1.5 million dollars
last year we raised 1.5 million dollars this year we’re going to
this year we’re going to
this year we’re going to raise 1.85 million dollars let’s set as
raise 1.85 million dollars let’s set as
raise 1.85 million dollars let’s set as a goal that we’re gonna rehab 700 homes
a goal that we’re gonna rehab 700 homes
a goal that we’re gonna rehab 700 homes in our neighborhood in a five year time
in our neighborhood in a five year time
in our neighborhood in a five year time frame that sounds like a lofty goal but
frame that sounds like a lofty goal but
frame that sounds like a lofty goal but we’ve already done a hundred and twenty
we’ve already done a hundred and twenty
we’ve already done a hundred and twenty those of you that have helped us with
those of you that have helped us with
those of you that have helped us with that thank you very much Channel three
that thank you very much Channel three
that thank you very much Channel three just did a study on the entire Valley
just did a study on the entire Valley
just did a study on the entire Valley they released the results about 60 days
they released the results about 60 days
they released the results about 60 days ago and what they determined was that
ago and what they determined was that
ago and what they determined was that property values are up in this
property values are up in this
property values are up in this neighborhood 30 percent year-over-year
neighborhood 30 percent year-over-year
neighborhood 30 percent year-over-year which is more than any neighborhood in
which is more than any neighborhood in
which is more than any neighborhood in the valley more than any neighborhood in
the valley more than any neighborhood in
the valley more than any neighborhood in the valley property values are up in
the valley property values are up in
the valley property values are up in this neighborhood
this neighborhood
this neighborhood things are moving with crime being down
things are moving with crime being down
things are moving with crime being down 30 percent and housing values being up
30 percent and housing values being up
30 percent and housing values being up 30 percent with more than 10,000 jobs
30 percent with more than 10,000 jobs
30 percent with more than 10,000 jobs being created this is going to be a
being created this is going to be a
being created this is going to be a desirable place to live the last thing
desirable place to live the last thing
desirable place to live the last thing that we wanted to go at was schools
that we wanted to go at was schools
that we wanted to go at was schools people thought that we were going to
people thought that we were going to
people thought that we were going to build a series of Grand Canyon
build a series of Grand Canyon
build a series of Grand Canyon University charter schools and we said
University charter schools and we said
University charter schools and we said no but we’re very interested in getting
no but we’re very interested in getting
no but we’re very interested in getting behind the public school system in our
behind the public school system in our
behind the public school system in our neighborhood we started a tutoring
neighborhood we started a tutoring
neighborhood we started a tutoring program four years ago we had twenty
program four years ago we had twenty
program four years ago we had twenty students involved in some students from
students involved in some students from
students involved in some students from a hammer high school when we started the
a hammer high school when we started the
a hammer high school when we started the school year this year we have 1200
school year this year we have 1200
school year this year we have 1200 students involved providing tutoring and
students involved providing tutoring and
students involved providing tutoring and mentoring to 55 different schools in the
mentoring to 55 different schools in the
mentoring to 55 different schools in the neighborhood but in order to energize a
neighborhood but in order to energize a
neighborhood but in order to energize a neighborhood and really get the momentum
neighborhood and really get the momentum
neighborhood and really get the momentum going you have to you have to form real
going you have to you have to form real
going you have to you have to form real partnerships that create real programs
partnerships that create real programs
partnerships that create real programs that create real measurable results and
that create real measurable results and
that create real measurable results and so when you can go out to the world and
so when you can go out to the world and
so when you can go out to the world and you can say crimes down 30% housing
you can say crimes down 30% housing
you can say crimes down 30% housing values are up 30% and then you can say
values are up 30% and then you can say
values are up 30% and then you can say we’ve had an incredible success story
we’ve had an incredible success story
we’ve had an incredible success story with a lot local public school I got to
with a lot local public school I got to
with a lot local public school I got to know al hamra High School Principal
know al hamra High School Principal
know al hamra High School Principal about four years ago and I asked him
about four years ago and I asked him
about four years ago and I asked him what he was gonna do with his high
what he was gonna do with his high
what he was gonna do with his high school because he listened to and he
school because he listened to and he
school because he listened to and he said well here’s my challenge I have
said well here’s my challenge I have
said well here’s my challenge I have 2800 students 82% of Latino 90% live
2800 students 82% of Latino 90% live
2800 students 82% of Latino 90% live below the poverty line we’re a failing
below the poverty line we’re a failing
below the poverty line we’re a failing school I listened to him talk for a long
school I listened to him talk for a long
school I listened to him talk for a long time and I thought you know the
time and I thought you know the
time and I thought you know the difference between what you’re
difference between what you’re
difference between what you’re explaining to me about your school and
explaining to me about your school and
explaining to me about your school and one in Scottsdale or Paradise Valley
one in Scottsdale or Paradise Valley
one in Scottsdale or Paradise Valley between eight o’clock and 3 o’clock
between eight o’clock and 3 o’clock
between eight o’clock and 3 o’clock there’s not much difference it’s about
there’s not much difference it’s about
there’s not much difference it’s about the same but between 3 o’clock and 8
the same but between 3 o’clock and 8
the same but between 3 o’clock and 8 o’clock everything changes in an
o’clock everything changes in an
o’clock everything changes in an inner-city neighborhood especially one
inner-city neighborhood especially one
inner-city neighborhood especially one like this we don’t have welfare in this
like this we don’t have welfare in this
like this we don’t have welfare in this neighborhood
neighborhood
neighborhood the neighbors are there’s a lot of
the neighbors are there’s a lot of
the neighbors are there’s a lot of immigrants they come from Africa they
immigrants they come from Africa they
immigrants they come from Africa they come from
come from
come from Central America and they come from
Central America and they come from
Central America and they come from Mexico and many of them are working two
Mexico and many of them are working two
Mexico and many of them are working two jobs at minimum wage and a lot of them
jobs at minimum wage and a lot of them
jobs at minimum wage and a lot of them haven’t graduated from eighth grade so
haven’t graduated from eighth grade so
haven’t graduated from eighth grade so our kids in our neighborhood they don’t
our kids in our neighborhood they don’t
our kids in our neighborhood they don’t they don’t get the help between three
they don’t get the help between three
they don’t get the help between three o’clock and eight o’clock that other
o’clock and eight o’clock that other
o’clock and eight o’clock that other kids get whatever they learn between
kids get whatever they learn between
kids get whatever they learn between 8:00 and 3:00 is what they learn but
8:00 and 3:00 is what they learn but
8:00 and 3:00 is what they learn but that’s that’s it they’re on their own
that’s that’s it they’re on their own
that’s that’s it they’re on their own the purpose of the learning lounge the
the purpose of the learning lounge the
the purpose of the learning lounge the purpose of the 1,200 tutors is to give
purpose of the 1,200 tutors is to give
purpose of the 1,200 tutors is to give students a chance to get eight or nine
students a chance to get eight or nine
students a chance to get eight or nine or ten hours a week spent with a college
or ten hours a week spent with a college
or ten hours a week spent with a college junior or senior that can help them
junior or senior that can help them
junior or senior that can help them master algebra and give them confidence
master algebra and give them confidence
master algebra and give them confidence so that they’ll take algebra
so that they’ll take algebra
so that they’ll take algebra trigonometry and maybe then even take
trigonometry and maybe then even take
trigonometry and maybe then even take calculus and start to get a different
calculus and start to get a different
calculus and start to get a different view of their life start to get a
view of their life start to get a
view of their life start to get a different vision of their life and we’ve
different vision of their life and we’ve
different vision of their life and we’ve had incredible success those of you that
had incredible success those of you that
had incredible success those of you that are students that have helped us with
are students that have helped us with
are students that have helped us with that thank you very much because the
that thank you very much because the
that thank you very much because the results are unbelievable
results are unbelievable
results are unbelievable we’ve had a lot of great days at Grand
we’ve had a lot of great days at Grand
we’ve had a lot of great days at Grand Canyon in my time here but I will tell
Canyon in my time here but I will tell
Canyon in my time here but I will tell you right at the top was last Tuesday we
you right at the top was last Tuesday we
you right at the top was last Tuesday we went over to ALP amber High School at 8
went over to ALP amber High School at 8
went over to ALP amber High School at 8 o’clock because there was a big
o’clock because there was a big
o’clock because there was a big announcement then it get made it was an
announcement then it get made it was an
announcement then it get made it was an incredibly emotional time the students
incredibly emotional time the students
incredibly emotional time the students were really excited because they had
were really excited because they had
were really excited because they had embarked upon a process as a school to
embarked upon a process as a school to
embarked upon a process as a school to try to win an award it’s called the beat
try to win an award it’s called the beat
try to win an award it’s called the beat the odds gold award only seven schools
the odds gold award only seven schools
the odds gold award only seven schools in Arizona have earned that award and it
in Arizona have earned that award and it
in Arizona have earned that award and it charts your progress as a school so
charts your progress as a school so
charts your progress as a school so twenty-eight hundred kids eighty-two
twenty-eight hundred kids eighty-two
twenty-eight hundred kids eighty-two percent Latino ninety percent live below
percent Latino ninety percent live below
percent Latino ninety percent live below the poverty line you know what they did
the poverty line you know what they did
the poverty line you know what they did they won the beat the odds gold award
they won the beat the odds gold award
they won the beat the odds gold award they won at last Tuesday there’s only
they won at last Tuesday there’s only
they won at last Tuesday there’s only seven schools that have ever won that
seven schools that have ever won that
seven schools that have ever won that award and there are the only large
award and there are the only large
award and there are the only large comprehensive public school that’s ever
comprehensive public school that’s ever
comprehensive public school that’s ever won the award
their faculty their staff and their
their faculty their staff and their students deserves so much credit for
students deserves so much credit for
students deserves so much credit for what they’ve achieved they’re the ones
what they’ve achieved they’re the ones
what they’ve achieved they’re the ones that I tell their faculty you’re the
that I tell their faculty you’re the
that I tell their faculty you’re the ones that go into that school every
ones that go into that school every
ones that go into that school every single day and spend eight or ten hours
single day and spend eight or ten hours
single day and spend eight or ten hours with these kids you are the heroes but
with these kids you are the heroes but
with these kids you are the heroes but it’s hard to do things yourself and so
it’s hard to do things yourself and so
it’s hard to do things yourself and so if we can give a little bit of a hand up
if we can give a little bit of a hand up
if we can give a little bit of a hand up if we can help out between three o’clock
if we can help out between three o’clock
if we can help out between three o’clock and eight o’clock together we can
and eight o’clock together we can
and eight o’clock together we can provide we could we can accomplish
provide we could we can accomplish
provide we could we can accomplish something that nobody ever thought we
something that nobody ever thought we
something that nobody ever thought we could accomplish now we have we’ve got
could accomplish now we have we’ve got
could accomplish now we have we’ve got now a a bunch of companies who will want
now a a bunch of companies who will want
now a a bunch of companies who will want to get behind this project we’ve raised
to get behind this project we’ve raised
to get behind this project we’ve raised $700,000 and we’ve avoided so far
$700,000 and we’ve avoided so far
$700,000 and we’ve avoided so far two-hundred full tuition scholarships to
two-hundred full tuition scholarships to
two-hundred full tuition scholarships to kids that go through the learning lounge
kids that go through the learning lounge
kids that go through the learning lounge out of these schools and who attend more
out of these schools and who attend more
out of these schools and who attend more than a hundred hours in the lounge get a
than a hundred hours in the lounge get a
than a hundred hours in the lounge get a 3.5 GPA or higher
3.5 GPA or higher
3.5 GPA or higher our goal is eight hundred scholarships I
our goal is eight hundred scholarships I
our goal is eight hundred scholarships I want you to think about eight hundred
want you to think about eight hundred
want you to think about eight hundred kids from this neighborhood who never
kids from this neighborhood who never
kids from this neighborhood who never thought they would get a chance to go to
thought they would get a chance to go to
thought they would get a chance to go to college being on a scholarship to go to
college being on a scholarship to go to
college being on a scholarship to go to a college with a hundred percent
a college with a hundred percent
a college with a hundred percent graduation rate if we can make that
graduation rate if we can make that
graduation rate if we can make that happen if we can finish our habitat
happen if we can finish our habitat
happen if we can finish our habitat program and get eight hundred homes
program and get eight hundred homes
program and get eight hundred homes refurbished and the housing values going
refurbished and the housing values going
refurbished and the housing values going up if we can make the neighborhoods safe
up if we can make the neighborhoods safe
up if we can make the neighborhoods safe if we can keep creating jobs what will
if we can keep creating jobs what will
if we can keep creating jobs what will happen here is that an inner-city
happen here is that an inner-city
happen here is that an inner-city neighborhood will become up will become
neighborhood will become up will become
neighborhood will become up will become a a middle-class neighborhood there will
a a middle-class neighborhood there will
a a middle-class neighborhood there will be prosperity people will want to live
be prosperity people will want to live
be prosperity people will want to live here and it’ll become a model for what
here and it’ll become a model for what
here and it’ll become a model for what can happen in every major inner city we
can happen in every major inner city we
can happen in every major inner city we live in an unbelievable country with an
live in an unbelievable country with an
live in an unbelievable country with an unbelievable powerful economy if we will
unbelievable powerful economy if we will
unbelievable powerful economy if we will harness everything that we have
harness everything that we have
harness everything that we have available to us and work together there
available to us and work together there
available to us and work together there doesn’t need to be inner cities this is
doesn’t need to be inner cities this is
doesn’t need to be inner cities this is going to be an example of that my
going to be an example of that my
going to be an example of that my biggest hope for our students I have a
biggest hope for our students I have a
biggest hope for our students I have a lot of hope for our students and for our
lot of hope for our students and for our
lot of hope for our students and for our graduates but my biggest one is this
graduates but my biggest one is this
graduates but my biggest one is this that you will be in the middle of this
that you will be in the middle of this
that you will be in the middle of this and thank you for all of you that are
and thank you for all of you that are
and thank you for all of you that are helping us do this but whether you
helping us do this but whether you
helping us do this but whether you directly participate or not that you
directly participate or not that you
directly participate or not that you will see it happen and at ten years from
will see it happen and at ten years from
will see it happen and at ten years from now when you’ve graduated and you’ve
now when you’ve graduated and you’ve
now when you’ve graduated and you’ve gone out into the world and you’ve got a
gone out into the world and you’ve got a
gone out into the world and you’ve got a fantastic job and career go
fantastic job and career go
fantastic job and career go you’ll get your family in the car and
you’ll get your family in the car and
you’ll get your family in the car and you’ll drive back through this
you’ll drive back through this
you’ll drive back through this neighborhood and say you know what I was
neighborhood and say you know what I was
neighborhood and say you know what I was a student when this happened I was part
a student when this happened I was part
a student when this happened I was part of this I helped at the Phoenix Dream
of this I helped at the Phoenix Dream
of this I helped at the Phoenix Dream Center the Phoenix rescue mission I
Center the Phoenix rescue mission I
Center the Phoenix rescue mission I helped with the tutoring and mentoring
helped with the tutoring and mentoring
helped with the tutoring and mentoring program I helped with the habitat
program I helped with the habitat
program I helped with the habitat program I saw firsthand what education
program I saw firsthand what education
program I saw firsthand what education should be which is creative ideas about
should be which is creative ideas about
should be which is creative ideas about partnership and the use of business to
partnership and the use of business to
partnership and the use of business to eliminate poverty that’s what we should
eliminate poverty that’s what we should
eliminate poverty that’s what we should be doing it can be done it’s being done
be doing it can be done it’s being done
be doing it can be done it’s being done in this neighborhood
in this neighborhood
in this neighborhood we just need to replicate it to all the
we just need to replicate it to all the
we just need to replicate it to all the students that participated in this event
students that participated in this event
students that participated in this event and put it on thank you very much it’s
and put it on thank you very much it’s
and put it on thank you very much it’s an example of what our students do on an
an example of what our students do on an
an example of what our students do on an everyday basis for those of you are out
everyday basis for those of you are out
everyday basis for those of you are out there that are going to employ people
there that are going to employ people
there that are going to employ people are currently employing people you want
are currently employing people you want
are currently employing people you want our students first every single time if
our students first every single time if
our students first every single time if you didn’t get anything else out of this
you didn’t get anything else out of this
you didn’t get anything else out of this besides that you want our students first
besides that you want our students first
besides that you want our students first thanks for being here
”
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