< PreviousSimba Richards AGE: 19 FROM: Tempe/Mesa INSTAGRAM: @_simbarichards_ 90 AZFOOTHILLS.COM FA C E OF FOO THILLSWHAT INSPIRED YOU TO ENTER FACE OF FOOTHILLS? I noticed an advertisement on Instagram about the competi- tion for the Face of Foothills magazine cover, and it seemed interesting, so I clicked on it. I looked into it a little, and after finding out that some of my other modeling and pageant acquaintances had joined the competition already, without hesitation, I joined as well. I loved the chance that I would get to meet new people that inspire me. After some time passed, and I found out I got into the second round, that was when I knew things were get- ting serious, and it was time to actually put in the effort and aim to reach the top. HOW DOES IT FEEL TO WIN? This is an amazing feeling to have. I have never truly experi- enced a huge success like this in the modeling field before. I have participated in fashion shows and I have won Miss Mesa Teen USA, but this is a much bigger step toward where I want to be in the future of my modeling career. This gives me that little extra confirmation that I am able to do and succeed at anything that I put my whole heart and mind into. WHAT DOES THE TITLE MEAN TO YOU? This title demonstrates that even though I know about Arizona, living here for most of my life, I will have a better connection to my state and will be introduced to much more because of my status with Face of Foothills. HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR STYLE? There are two different answers to this question, my style as a person and my fashion style. I am an outgoing and focused person. I love socializing and I like to make new connections, as well as explore and learn new things. Now, for my style in the fashion sense, my style is not focused on one type of fashion. I rarely wake up without my outfit of the day ready in the morning. WHAT DO YOU LIKE TO DO IN YOUR FREE TIME? I like to take care of myself, by going to radi8 HOT YOGA, as well as going to The Madison, a spin class, both of which were voted Best of Our Valley numer- ous times. I like to participate in philanthropy work with my sorority sisters at Arizona State University and explore family- owned restaurants as well as Face of Foothills-recommended restaurants, hotels, work-out spots, salons, shopping centers and much more. DO YOU HAVE ANY ADVICE OR TIPS FOR OTHERS WHO WANT TO MODEL? Go for it, give it your all, and if you find that it is something you are truly passionate about, you will succeed and achieve greatness, truly in anything that you put your all into. And as cliché as it sounds, you don’t have to be perfect, but being yourself and doing everything in your effort to reach your personal goals are what will make you stand out in this field and give you that high level of greatness where you will thrive. Nothing is more expensive than a missed opportunity. “BEING YOURSELF AND DOING EVERYTHING IN YOUR EFFORT TO REACH YOUR PERSONAL GOALS ARE WHAT WILL MAKE YOU STAND OUT IN THIS FIELD.” @azfoothills #azfoothills 91WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO ENTER FACE OF FOOTHILLS? I have my mom to thank as she was the one who pointed out the casting at Scottsdale Quarter and told me that I should get in line! That was the first time I entered, and I made it to the second round. I couldn't wait for this year's competition so I could enter again. HOW DOES IT FEEL TO WIN? It feels amazing to win! I feel very blessed to have been given this opportunity to compete and I am honored to have been chosen to be the Teen Face of Foothills. WHAT DOES THE TITLE MEAN TO YOU? This title means a lot to me. When I first tried out for the Teen Face of Foothills several years ago, it was the moment that I realized that modeling is what I wanted to pursue. Even though I only made it through the second round, I was in- spired to really give modeling a try. Since that time, I have been given several opportunities that have been amazing including Top 10 Model of the Year at IMTA Orlando; walked in the Nicole Miller Fashion Show at IMTA; walked for Tempe Fashion Week; Top 40 Model for Phoenix Fashion Week; and a social media campaign for a hair products company. HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR STYLE? I would describe my style as very versatile. For everyday wear, I prefer a natural sporty chic look. However, I hop on any opportunity to dress nice and get glammed up! WHAT DO YOU LIKE TO DO IN YOUR FREE TIME? In my free time, I like to work out, cook healthy meals, pursue my modeling career, hang out with my boyfriend and spend time with family and friends. DO YOU HAVE ANY ADVICE OR TIPS FOR OTHERS WHO WANT TO MODEL? My advice to others who want to pursue modeling is don't compare yourself to others, take care of yourself, always be on the lookout for opportunities, practice a lot, utilize your social media and, most importantly, have fun doing it! Josi Spar AGE: 18 FROM: Phoenix INSTAGRAM: @josispar FA C E OF FOO THILLS TEENS 92 AZFOOTHILLS.COM“MY ADVICE TO OTHERS WHO WANT TO PURSUE MODELING IS DON'T COMPARE YOURSELF TO OTHERS.” @azfoothills #azfoothills 93“GET OUT IN THE COMMUNITY EVERY CHANCE YOU GET BECAUSE YOU NEVER KNOW WHAT OPENING A NEW DOOR MIGHT BRING.” 94 AZFOOTHILLS.COMWHAT INSPIRED YOU TO ENTER FACE OF FOOTHILLS? I want to be a model. I am really shy and reserved if you meet me in person. However, I love being in front of the camera, seeing the end result of pictures and walking on the catwalk showing off the work of talented individuals. I also love helping my community. So when the opportunity to be more involved with an empowering community resource and being in a magazine, I went after my dreams. HOW DOES IT FEEL TO WIN? Exciting and cool! I was at a loss for words when my mommy told me. All of the top five Junior Faces of Foothills contestants are amazing people, each inspires others in her own way and all are beautiful inside and out, so I am beyond grateful. WHAT DOES THE TITLE MEAN TO YOU? That my hard work has paid off. My mommy always asks me before a new adventure if this is some- thing I really want to do. I am extremely blessed that I have an amazing support system from family and friends that encourage me to do what I love. This title gives me a chance to get out even more in my community and share recommendations and local busi- nesses. I hope to encourage others through this title to get involved in our community and seek out new foods, arts, styles and beauty. HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR STYLE? My style changes depending on my mood for the day. Sometimes I dress up really pretty, like a princess; sometimes I’m in yoga pants with an inspirational quote on my shirt; but I’m always dressed in something comfortable and eclectic that allows me to run around and be a girl with so many things to explore. Some call me a tomboy as I like to keep my crown clean (I’m a pageant girl) and my hands dirty (I love playing in the dirt and collecting rocks and lizards), but I am just me. WHAT DO YOU LIKE TO DO IN YOUR FREE TIME? I love staying busy. When I’m not outside playing in the yard with my brother, or going off-roading with my family, I’m practicing for an upcoming pageant or model call. I am currently in Girl Scouts, gym- nastics, cheer and horseback riding lessons. I love to sing, draw and play with my Barbies. I’m just a girl who loves to make others smile by encouraging kindness and increas- ing awareness of community and worldwide causes, so I frequently go out in my community to volun- teer and give back with my Daisy’s Rainbow Heart platform. DO YOU HAVE ANY ADVICE OR TIPS FOR OTHERS WHO WANT TO MODEL? Just do what you love and keep working hard. Get out in the com- munity every chance you get because you never know what opening a new door might bring. AGE: 7 FROM: Glendale INSTAGRAM: @DaisysRainbowHeart Daisy Rose Stinnett FA C E OF FOO THILLS JUNIOR @azfoothills #azfoothills 95PETER VISITED the first Harvest Compassion Center in north Phoenix 12 years ago. He had been living on the street for more than three years. HCC gave him food, clothing and toiletries and hope. The same year, Libby walked into the store. The single mom was caring for her son, who has seizures and other developmental chal- lenges. “It takes all my energy just to make it through a day of being his full-time care giver,” recalls Libby, who now uses a walker and is losing sight in one eye, among other health problems. She continues her care for her son. Libby remembers: “I was blown away that this new place was so clean, had photos on the walls of actual clients smiling, and everyone was just so nice to me. It wasn’t like other places I had visited before where I had even been yelled at.” She continues her gratitude for HCC: “You all here are part of my refuge. I come here to be encour- aged; you show me love and you have never looked down on me for having to come back time and time again,” she adds. “Here I shop freely with you, my friends. You do not give me spoiled food. Most impor- tantly, I feel safe at HCC.” That first North Phoenix store (602.788.2444) — part mini-mart, clothing boutique and food bank – – opened in 2011. Two additional locations are also serving the com- munity, in Maryvale (623.247.0039) and West Phoenix (602.841.7110). “Our guests are from all walks of life and are facing life-altering challenges that they may never overcome,” says Nicolee Thompson, executive director. “Since opening, we’ve provided for families who have lost jobs, lost homes, have had major health crises, gone through Mitch Swaback and parents Gaye and Bob at his high school graduation. 96 AZFOOTHILLS.COM THE LEGACY OF MITCH SWABACK LIVE S AT HARVEST COMPASSION CENTERS BY DAVID M. BROWN / PHOTOS COURTESY HCC 2021 NONPROFIT OF THE YEARdivorce, deportation, depression and more. There are families with single parents, orphaned children, new widows and immigrants. We have shared stories of broken- ness, pandemic chaos, death, and despair — but these families have HCC.” She adds: “Some guests come every 30 days and have become friends whose names we know well; other guests come twice a year only when their budget is really tight. It doesn’t matter when we see our guests; what matters is every time they walk through our doors they are shown the love of the Lord.” The stores are funded by Mitchell Swaback Charities, Inc., which was started October 15, 2004, by Bob and Gaye Swaback and Nicolee; originally a founda- tion, it is now a 501©3 nonprofit. The charity commemorates the humanitarian legacy of their son, Nicolee’s brother Mitch, who died when he was 23 in a drowning accident August 14, 2004. In Arizona, one in four children contend with food hardships; they are not receiving three meals a day. One in five adults have similar challenges, according to HCC- supplied figures. In 2021, the three locations were busy alleviating these issues, helping 50,000-plus guests. Every 30 days, 1,00o fam- ilies are assisted by HCC. All products are free. To ensure guests receive what they need, HCC employs four full-timers and four part-timers. In addition, 2,000-plus volunteers work six mornings a week. Fund-raising provides all serv- ices; HCC does not accept govern- ment funding. FEED1 benefactors, for example, help HCC provide food for a family every month; this costs $28 for a family of four. Thompson also writes private grants, and donors can claim Arizona Charitable Tax Credits. HCC Charities schedules two annual fundraisers. The next is AZ Gives Day, April 5 and 6, managed by the Alliance of Arizona Nonprofits and the Arizona Grantmakers Forum. The goal is to raise $100,000 to provide food, clothing as well as hy- giene and baby pro ducts for spring. “Mitch’s passion to always help others was the driving force behind the foundation being started to honor his legacy,” Thompson says. “Our prayer is that we will continue to make an impact in his memory for years to come. With Harvest Compassion Centers, we gladly followed my brother’s lead.” MITCH Mitch changed people’s lives: those he gave to in his efforts and those he simply gifted with his spirit. “Mitch was always the one talking to strangers, helping others at only a moment’s notice and taking the time to be everyone’s friend because that’s just who he was,” Thompson says.He defined service. He built cabins for his church camp and he helped friends with home projects. He traveled with mission teams to South America; during a trip to Lima, Peru, he served at an orphanage, building new facilities, pushing the children on the swings and giving horseback rides. “These kids were all attracted to his genuine love and compassion,” she explains. “We heard countless stories and testimonies of the lives he touched and how clearly God was working in his life.” Those who had no friends had Mitch. Those who had to depend on someone had Mitch. “His heart was one of a giver: to his friends, to children, to the less fortunate. He never said no to anyone, no matter the situation. He was the first to shed a tear for a hurting friend. Those who had no friends had Mitch, and today those who believed they have no friends find them at HCC.” Mitch was never afraid of a challenge. There was no in-be- tween with Mitch. “As hard as you played, he played harder. His pas- sion and will to win always pushed him to finish first. And could he make an entrance. When he walked into the room, his presence took over. For those he loved, instead of a handshake, Mitch would pick you up from behind by the legs and lift you high into the air, ignoring your pleas to be put down,” she says. Her brother taught about life; others have as well. “Just as I learned the hardships of living on the street from Peter and the stresses of being a caregiver from Libby, today we all continue to learn from our guests about how we can best meet their needs. We do this by making sure we have large-size diapers on hand, more fresh produce and dairy products, a frozen turkey for Thanksgiving, Bibles in their language, an extra backpack for a bus ride home and hugs, prayers and smiles,” she says. “Mitch always brought a smile to your face. I see that smile in everything we do, every day.” For more information, see harvest compassioncenter.org and follow HCC on Instagram, @HarvestCompassion; Facebook, Harvest Compassion Center/Mitchell Swaback Charities Inc.; and Twitter, @HCCFeed1. Be sure to visit azfoothills.com to see who won the 2022 Nonprofit of the Year! Mitch Swaback plays with an overjoyed child. “MITCH’S PASSION TO ALWAYS HELP OTHERS WAS THE DRIVING FORCE BEHIND THE FOUNDA- TION BEING STARTED TO HONOR HIS LEGACY.” -NICOLEE THOMPSON @azfoothills #azfoothills 97 2021 NONPROFIT OF THE YEAR98 AZFOOTHILLS.COM FINS THA T’S ALL, F OLK S. Next up is Summer Escapes, where we bring you an exclusive selection of some of the most luxurious resorts to escape to in Arizona and beyond. Plus, the annual Dog Days of Summer contest returns July 1, where you’ll have the chance to nominate your best furry friend to be named “Top Dog,” among other exciting prizes. 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