ICAN held its annual fundraiser at the Omni Scottsdale Resort & Spa at Montelucia on Nov. 18. As part of the celebration, the nonprofit honored the Arizona Cardinals and Shannon Clark with the 2022 Henry Salinas Society Hero Award. The award exists to honor the legacy of the organization’s founder, Henry Salinas. The award is given to members of our Henry Salinas Society to recognize an individual and business that has gone above and beyond to support the mission of ICAN.

2022 Business Recipient: Arizona Cardinals

The Arizona Cardinals have been an incredible partner to ICAN. Team members have invested their time to connect with ICAN youth. They facilitated meaningful and structured life lesson activities for the teens to help them see new possibilities in their lives. The Cardinals have also generously supported youth and families during the holidays. This has included taking youth on a holiday shopping spree and hosting the families in a suite for the Christmas Cardinals game last year! Additionally, members of the organization have supported ICAN by bringing awareness to the mission all throughout Arizona. The Cardinals also have supported ICAN through a significant and transformational gift to support the ongoing growth of ICAN.

2022 Individual Recipient: Shannon Clark

Shannon Clark, an Attorney with Gallagher & Kennedy, has served on the ICAN Board of Directors for three years and chairs the 2022-2023 Henry Ambassador group. However, Shannon continues to find creative ways to support the organization beyond his board and ambassador service. Shannon has developed several creative fundraisers to personally engage his community in supporting the mission of ICAN. He brings energy and leadership to his service and introduces amazing new partners to the organization. Shannon also personally invests in the work being done at ICAN to support the organization.

"I'm humbled to receive ICAN's HSS Hero award,” said Clark. “Being a small part of ICAN's amazing community during a time when they are expanding is a real privilege. I love that we can continue to provide free programming and services to families and are reaching more kids each year. I can't wait to watch ICAN grow in the coming years."

This year’s Gala had 500 attendees and raised over a quarter of its annual budget.

ABOUT ICAN

ICAN transforms the social, emotional and educational wellbeing of youth in underserved communities through a free, comprehensive after school program across five sites in the East Valley. ICAN’s nationally recognized prevention programming teaches vulnerable youth real-life skills including goal setting, positive decision making and how to avoid the risky behaviors that are prevalent in the community ICAN serves. ICAN’s evidence-supported programming equips youth to achieve personal and academic success. ICAN was twice named “Outstanding Afterschool Program” by the Arizona Center for After School Excellence. For more information about ICAN, call (480) 821-4207 or visit http://www.icanaz.org.