Nonprofit Spotlight

In this episode of Nonprofit Spotlight, Stephanie sits down with Roberto Wolf, Program Director of the Northern Jaguar Project. Roberto discusses the organization’s mission to protect jaguars in the U.S.–Mexico borderlands through initiatives such as Vivendo con Felinos, environmental education, scientific research, and the Northern Jaguar Reserve. He also shares news of the most recent jaguar sighting in Arizona in August 2025, as well as insights into the film The American Southwest, now in theaters, a wildlife documentary that takes viewers on an unforgettable journey down the Colorado River. The film seeks to inspire millions to cherish, love, and conserve this unique region.

In this episode of Nonprofit Spotlight, Stephanie sits down with Yissel Salafsky, Chief Executive Officer of Make Way for Books, to explore the organization’s mission to ensure that all children have the opportunity to read and succeed. Yissel shares how Make Way for Books fulfills this mission by delivering proven programs, services, and resources to more than 30,000 young children, families, and educators across southern Arizona each year. Their work focuses on children from birth to age five, a crucial period for developing early literacy and language skills, helping them discover the joy of books and start school ready to learn. The conversation also highlights the upcoming Read Aloud Week, taking place April 27 through May 3. Now an annual event in Tucson and Pima County, Read Aloud Week underscores the importance of literacy as a foundation for academic, civic, and economic success. With only 40 percent of third graders in Pima County meeting reading standards, the initiative calls attention to the urgent need for collaborative literacy efforts involving local organizations such as Literacy Connects, the United Way of Tucson and Southern Arizona, and the Tucson Festival of Books. The week also coincides with Día de la Niñez, celebrating literacy through diverse cultural traditions.

This week’s episode of The Nonprofit Spotlight shines on Sierra Rhodes, HOME Fellow and Staff Attorney at Step Up to Justice (SU2J). Step Up to Justice Pro Bono Law Center advances civil justice for low-income individuals and families in Pima County, Arizona. The organization works to lift people out of poverty by providing community education and emergency civil legal assistance; leveraging innovation, partnerships, advocacy, and volunteer services.

SU2J is a full-service civil legal education and assistance center, created to close the justice gap for low-income residents of Pima County who need but cannot afford an attorney. They serve clients with meritorious claims in housing, family law, domestic violence, consumer fraud, bankruptcy, employment, wills/probate, and other areas. SU2J is privately-funded and volunteer-driven so that their doors are open to all, including clients who cannot be served elsewhere due to caseload limits, conflicts of interests, national origin, or re-entry status.

Apply for help and learn more on the Step Up to Justice website!