The Gilbert Chamber of Commerce is a nonprofit that serves and advocates for the business community and the Gilbert Chamber of Commerce Foundation serves the community at large in a variety of impactful and important ways. Our Foundation is a 501c 3 organization that is dedicated to advancing the quality of life in Gilbert through education, leadership, and community enhancement. The Foundation held the Shadowing and Mentoring Closing Ceremony on March 27th at The Acre in Gilbert.
The Foundation raises funds to help sustain programs for workforce readiness to develop a strong talent pipeline. In addition to the shadowing and mentoring program, we offer Tours for Teachers, community connections, a business and education summit, an Interview Skills Challenge, industry tours, and we also award scholarships.
We offer training, technical assistance, and resources to help organizations strengthen their infrastructure, governance, and management practices.
Our Foundation also provides roundtables, invests in initiatives that promote civic engagement, community participation, and empowerment and raises funds and resources for projects that address needs within the community. We collaborate and partner with industry, education, government, and community stakeholders to leverage resources, share expertise, and coordinate efforts to address complex social challenges.
Overall, the Gilbert Chamber foundation plays a crucial role in building a stronger, more resilient, and equitable community.
We can’t do what we do and offer programs like these without support.
Our Title Sponsors for the Career Shadowing and Mentoring Program include San Tan Ford and 910 West. Tier 1 sponsors include SRP and Banner Gateway Medical Center. Foundation Donors are the Town of Gilbert, SRP, Banner Gateway Medical Center, Rayhons Financial / Cetera Advisor Networks, Karin Gadberry, and Literally A Bookshop. Without the incredibly generous support of these organizations and individuals, we wouldn’t be able to make the difference that we get to make in the community.
These events are also supported by venues like The Acre, where the closing ceremony was so graciously and generously hosted.
At the closing, we came together to celebrate the passing of knowledge, the fostering of growth, and the forging of connections. The ceremony marked a significant milestone in the development of our students, as we committed to the tradition of mentorship and the continuation of excellence.
Mentorship is more than just the passing of knowledge; it is a connection that unites individuals and illuminates the path towards personal and professional growth. We honored both the mentors who imparted their wisdom and the mentees who embraced the journey ahead.
We offered a gratitude activity as a symbol where each leaf is unique, but together they form the canopy of a tree. Each of us, mentors, mentees, and community members, is uniquely designed to offer the planet incredible gifts and together, we are interconnected and lifted by the strengths and talents of each other.
At the closing ceremony, mentors were acknowledged for their dedication to their profession and to our future and accepted a certificate of our gratitude for so generously sharing their expertise. Mentors included professionals from Banner Gateway Medical Center, East Valley Animal Hospital, Brown Chiropractic and Acupuncture, Debellevue Global, SRP, Dignity Health, and Letz Roll Off Road.
Mentees were acknowledged for showing commitment and enthusiasm in their pursuit of knowledge and growth and accepted a certificate of our gratitude for their curiosity and commitment to our future. Mentees were commended for their eagerness to learn and their willingness to embrace new challenges.
Mentors and mentees were affirmed for their dedication to the principles of mentorship and vowing to uphold the values of guidance, support, and growth.
Mentors and mentees were encouraged to share insights and remarks as they felt compelled and as the ceremony ended, the audience was encouraged to carry forth the spirit of mentorship, nurturing it in our interactions and fostering it within our community.
Photo Credit – Meghan Steward Photograph