Ribbon cutting on Sept. 15 will celebrate Civitan Foundation’s inclusive retail and workforce development space in Phoenix
August 13, 2026 – Phoenix, Ariz. – Civitan Foundation, Inc. will celebrate the ribbon cutting of Flerish Marketplace on Tuesday, Sept. 15 at 10:30 a.m., recognizing a $100,000 grant from Thunderbirds Charities that helped transform the new Phoenix space into an inclusive retail and workforce development hub for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDDs).
Flerish Marketplace is Civitan Foundation’s new 7,500-square-foot retail, resale and training space designed to create meaningful pathways to employment, independence and financial self-sufficiency. Through hands-on experience in a real retail environment, employees and members with disabilities can build job readiness skills, practice customer service, learn merchandising and inventory tasks, develop workplace confidence and explore entrepreneurship.
The grant from Thunderbirds Charities supported major capital improvements to make the space accessible, functional and ready to serve as a community-based employment training hub. Funding helped support ADA improvements, new restrooms, coaching offices, a training room, signage and other essential buildout needs.
“Flerish Marketplace represents what becomes possible when community partners invest in inclusion,” said Dawn Trapp, CEO of Civitan Foundation. “This is more than a building. It is a place where members can gain real-world experience, discover their strengths, build confidence and take meaningful steps toward employment and greater independence. We are deeply grateful to Thunderbirds Charities for helping bring this vision to life.”
People with IDDs continue to face significant barriers to employment. Flerish Marketplace was created to help address those barriers by offering practical, community-integrated workforce development in a supportive retail setting. Civitan Foundation projects serving more than 40 individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities each year through workforce development programming at Flerish, with additional benefits extending to caregivers, staff, customers, donors and the broader community. “I’m happy and I’m working at the cash register, and I’m doing my money skills. I’m full time now! I feel happy, it’s making me more money,” shares employee Susie. Job coach Brandi adds “it is so rewarding to work at Flerish as we have members with different capabilities and to see each level of those capabilities level up and able to do things independently on their own. It’s just absolutely rewarding.”
While the improvements to Flerish Marketplace are physical, the impact is deeply personal. The space gives participants the opportunity to learn in an active retail environment, interact with the public, contribute to daily store operations and see their skills translate into meaningful workplace experience. “Working here at Flerish has brightened my life. Being able to see our members light up when it clicks for them and they’re like ‘hey, I can do this by myself’ I literally go home and cry, because it is such a great achievement of seeing that they get it,” shares job coach Ashley.
“Flerish Marketplace creates meaningful opportunities for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities to build skills, confidence and greater independence,” said Jason Eisenberg, President of Thunderbirds Charities. “We’re proud to support Civitan Foundation in creating a space where individuals can gain meaningful work experience, contribute to their community and see their potential grow.”
“Thunderbirds Charities has been a meaningful partner in Civitan’s growth and impact,” Trapp said. “Their continued support reflects a shared belief that people with disabilities deserve access to experiences, spaces and opportunities that help them live fuller, more connected lives.”
Flerish Marketplace also invites the public to support the mission by shopping, donating quality goods and engaging with a retail experience rooted in purpose. Every purchase and donation helps support Civitan Foundation’s work to create pathways to employment, independence, inclusion and lifelong opportunity for people with disabilities.
Event Details
What: Flerish Marketplace Ribbon Cutting
When: Tuesday, Sept. 15, 2026 at 10:30 a.m.
Where: Flerish Marketplace, 3850 E. Thunderbird Rd., Phoenix, AZ
Hosted by: Civitan Foundation, Inc.
Recognizing: Thunderbirds Charities for its $100,000 grant supporting Flerish Marketplace capital improvements
To learn more: www.civitanfoundationaz.org/flerish-marketplace
About Civitan Foundation, Inc.
Civitan Foundation, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization serving more than 1,500 individuals with developmental disabilities and their families each year. Founded in 1968, Civitan provides safe, inclusive, and enriching programs that promote education, life skills, socialization, job training, and employment opportunities. Its flagship programs include Camp Civitan in Williams, Arizona, and Civitan Village, a multi-disciplinary campus offering life learning, vocational training, and creative arts experiences. Civitan remains committed to empowering individuals with disabilities to live fulfilling, independent lives through innovative, community-based services.
About Flerish Marketplace
Flerish Marketplace is Civitan Foundation’s inclusive retail and workforce development space in Phoenix. Through donated goods, resale, retail operations, creative enterprise and hands-on training, Flerish provides individuals with IDDs opportunities to build employment skills, confidence, independence and real-world experience in a supportive community setting.
About Thunderbirds Charities
Thunderbirds Charities is a non-profit organization formed in 1986 to distribute monies raised through the WM Phoenix Open. The mission of Thunderbirds Charities is to assist children and families, help people in need and improve the quality of life in the Greater Phoenix Metropolitan Area. The Thunderbirds were founded in 1937 with the mission of promoting the Valley of the Sun through sports. The Thunderbirds consist of 55 “active” members and more than 285 “life” members. For more information about The Thunderbirds or the 2024 WM Phoenix Open, visit www.wmphoenixopen.com. For more information on the Thunderbirds Charities, visit www.thunderbirdscharities.org.
Media Contact:
Hana Alanis
Brand Manager on behalf of Civitan Foundation, Inc.
(602) 410-0972
halanis@campcivitan.org