Since 2007, our MISSION is to empower people by building flourishing community gardens on vacant lots in South Phoenix plus provide healthy eating and life skills support and workforce development through neighborhood revitalization and beautification. TigerMountain Foundation offers volunteer opportunities in Phoenix, AZ and being a part of our community gardens. 

Our VISION is to act as a change agent for healthy living – a healthy community where all citizens can reach their maximum potential. The areas of South Phoenix where TMF gardens are located is a food desert (>1 mile from available fresh produce). This has led to food insecurity and poor food choices which leads to issues of obesity, high blood pressure, cardiovascular problems and diabetes. Gangs are prevalent leading to violence, drugs, and unhealthy life choices. In one of the highest rates of recidivism in the nation, many of our participants are referred from the justice system. Many come without parental guidance at home, and urgently need job and life skills to combat these forces to lead them out of the cycle of economic disadvantage.

Our Garden and Landscape/Agriscaping Initiatives mentor participators one-on-one through experiential learning and education on an active and healthy eating lifestyle, completion of goals and a Personal Strategy Roadmap, and transition participants into workforce skills preparing these community members for work earning a living wage. We use ABCD — Asset Based Community Development to give the community a hand up, not a hand out.

Consider this youth’s story –Z was 12 when he first started participating with TigerMountain Foundation. For the past 4 years he has worked at various jobs in the gardens, at Farmers markets; learning how to plant and grow fresh produce and how to prepare and cook garden products – okra and squash are his favorites and his family benefits from this skill!

“TigerMountain has helped me with sales skills, getting along and communicating with others, and how to work together with others as a team member”.

Once in danger of dropping out completely, TMF assistance with mentoring helped him improve in school and he is now on track to graduate high school in 2021.This is what TigerMountain is all about!!