The PICOR Charitable Foundation (PCF) has had the honor of supporting hundreds of small nonprofits in Tucson since 1994, raising more than $1.6 million for youth programs in Southern Arizona. Recently, the Chair of PCF, Rob Tomlinson, had the opportunity to visit one of these nonprofits, Amistades.
Amistades was one of sixty local nonprofit organizations supported through the 2024 PCF Pancake Breakfast. Founded in 2006, Amistades is a Latino-led, community-centered nonprofit dedicated to empowering and uplifting Southern Arizona’s Latino communities. Through a culturally rooted, intergenerational family approach, Amistades addresses immediate needs while advancing system-focused strategies to promote equity and challenge stereotypes. Their efforts are grounded in grassroots outreach, strategic partnerships, and evidence-based practices—working locally, statewide, and nationally. Amistades’ vision is to inspire communities to cultivate self-reliance and lasting success for all generations.
In 2024, the PCF assisted Amistades’ CARAs De Esperanza (Faces of Hope) prevention program—a culturally grounded initiative addressing prescription drug misuse, opioid use, and methamphetamine abuse among Latino youth. The program blends Latino heritage, resilience-building, and healthy coping skills through identity-focused activities, trauma-informed care, and school partnerships.
Usiel Barrios, Director of Strategic Development at Amistades, shared: “[The PICOR Charitable Foundation’s] support makes our work possible, and we are deeply grateful for your continued commitment to our mission. Together, we’re building stronger communities.”
Reflecting on his visit, Rob Tomlinson said: “It was a great opportunity to meet with Amistades during National Hispanic Heritage Month! It was uplifting to see how one of our beneficiaries is reaching out to our Latino community, providing support, and affirming our region’s social and cultural identity. Amistades is invaluable to our community in the work they do to empower our Latino community.”
Rob Tomlinson (left) & Usiel Barrios (right)
The PICOR Charitable Foundation’s annual Pancake Breakfast is dedicated to supporting local nonprofits that often go unrecognized and receive less public funding than larger organizations. Every dollar raised helps us reach charities serving underserved youth, where our modest grants can make a significant difference. Our mission is to support programs and organizations that make a vital impact in our community, often with limited resources. We are deeply grateful for the continued support of our clients, partners, and community members—your generosity powers this effort and brings hope to those who need it most.
If you want to make a difference for children in Southern Arizona, please consider donating to our fundraiser at https://gofund.me/b421b5f5. Your gift helps us support impactful organizations like Amistades. If you’re unable to give financially, please help by sharing our GoFundMe page on your social media to reach more supporters. Or, join us in person on October 26th at Reid Park for our annual Pancake Breakfast Fundraiser and continue this legacy of giving!
