Discussion and possible directions to staff on any and all matters regarding the renaming of the Moctezuma Park, located on 467 Juan Sanchez Blvd, San Luis, Arizona, to PPEP Park. (Lizandro Galaviz, Parks & Recreation Director)

Dr. John David Arnold was born in “Pennsylvania Dutch Country” on a small farm located near Doylestown in Bucks County. In 1967, while working for the Head Start Program, Dr. Arnold wrote the first Portable Practical Educational Preparation (PPEP), Inc. grant proposal submitted to the Tucson War on Poverty Program (TCEO), initiated by the Presidents Kennedy/Johnson Administrations. The initial funding was for $19,000.00, from which he bought a 48 passenger 1957 Chevrolet school bus known as “La Tortuga” Dr. Arnold was the driver, mechanic, and teacher imparting practical educational teachings to help the Bracero farms workers prepare for other productive work.

From PPEP’s humble beginnings aboard “La Tortuga” 50 years ago, Dr. Arnold, the PPEP Board of Directors, and dedicated staff have “improved the quality of life” of farm workers and rural poor. PPEP’s programs have been honored twice at the White House among numerous other recognitions nationally and internationally. Dr. Arnold has been instrumental in establishing 11 farm worker, rural, and inner city PPEP TEC Charter High schools in which 4,700 at-risk students have graduated with high school diplomas.

For the past 30 plus years, PPEP has been a significant part of the San Luis Community.  Bringing programs such as the PPEP Tech Charter High School, Youth Build, Community Service Block Grant program, National Farm Worker Jobs Program (NFJP), Housing programs, High School Equivalency (GED) programs, Plaza Comunitarias education program, and the Micro Loan program, which are all located in San Luis. 

Each year PPEP TEC High School serves approximately 124 students at the high school.  NFJP provides employment and training services to approximately 150 individuals. PPEP Housing provides 100 individuals in housing assistance programs, 30 individuals with GED, Plaza education to 20 individuals, Micro loans 25 individuals, and emergency services to 30 to 50 low-income people and farm workers through Community Service Block Grants and the Community Services Administration.  Youth Build provides intensive education for 15 students per year.  In total, touching the lives of approximately 500 people per year in the San Luis community on average.  

Each of these programs have worked to serve the community for those in need of employment and training, education, long term case management, and business development opportunities.  In addition, programs serve youth and adults ages 16 and older in education and career development.  Programs focus on meaningful employment and educational attainment that will pay a living wage in the future and addresses barriers that in some cases may not have been addressed in the past to be successful. 

The rate of poverty for 18-24 year olds lacking a high school diploma/equivalent in San Luis and Somerton, Arizona, for example,
is 36.1%, which exceeds the national rate of 27.1%.   In addition, the weighted graduation rate for the two areas is 40.3%, which is less than half of the state or national average. Unfortunately, the facts do not paint an encouraging picture for people currently in poverty unless there is some form of direct intervention. PPEP has provided that intervention through consistent programming and availability of services in the San Luis and South County area overall.

PPEP also works with other local agencies in the San Luis area, in partnership and collaboration so that those in need are served
to the best of our ability as a community organization.  Partnering with other housing agencies, for example, to provide opportunity for low-income individuals to apply for home ownership through the Youth Build partnership program with local builders, has provided over 25 homes to low income families and served over 200 youth in the San Luis area with education and employment opportunities and to include postsecondary enrollment and opportunities for higher education.  PPEP is involved in local activities and works to help the San Luis community in any way it can.

The PPEP programs work to offer additional services and leverage other programs through co-enrollment to ensure all needs are met that works to foster self-sufficiency and autonomy to those we serve.  It is a model particularly useful in assisting participants facing multiple employment or educational impediments and simultaneously building program sustainability.  PPEP also works to access additional dollars to provide for staff development in areas that will enhance programs and services and address community needs. 
PPEP is also a significant employer in the San Luis area, employing approximately 22 staff just in this area alone within the programs located in San Luis.  PPEP also continues to be a significant contributor to the San Luis economy and works to support city efforts.

Within the NFJP service areas, Yuma County is home to the largest agricultural producing county in Arizona.  San Luis is one of the main focal points and comes with significant needs experienced by adult and youth migrant and seasonal farm workers. The average education level for 40% of immigrant adults is 1^st – 6^th grade, 17%  only complete 7^th-9^th grades, only 28% complete 10^th-12^th grades and only 9% ever attain some type of higher education (National Center for Farm worker Health, 2012). PPEP is continuing to combat these averages and provide educational and employment opportunities to those living in the San Luis area through our adult and youth programs offering education and employment training opportunities. 

Due to their extraordinary job in helping our community and reaching out to our community, staff is asking to rename the  Moctezuma Park to Dr. John David Arnold PPEP Park.