Behind the Scenes: Why We Do This Work

A rare moment when the JAG team stopped moving long enough for a group photo on the House Lawn.

Sometimes, when we’re in the middle of an event or standing together for a quick photo, I stop and think about everything it took to get to that moment.

The photo of our JAG staff standing together on the House Lawn at the Arizona Capitol reminds me that behind every student opportunity, every success story, and every milestone is a group of people who genuinely care about Arizona’s young people. What people often see are the big moments; like our students networking with confidence, speaking in front of crowds, winning competitions, earning scholarships, graduating, getting hired, or becoming the first in their family to go to college.

What they don’t always see is the work happening behind the scenes. The early mornings. The planning meetings. The phone calls. The transportation coordination. The fundraising. The emails. The classroom visits. The event setup. The problem solving. The storytelling. The moments spent encouraging students who are struggling and celebrating students who are succeeding.

At JAG, this work is personal for all of us. I am a JAG alumni and many of our staff members know firsthand what it means to need support, guidance, encouragement, or simply someone who believes in you. That’s why we work so hard to create opportunities that help students see a bigger future for themselves.

Every person in this photo (and those not pictured) plays a role in making that happen. All of us are working toward the same mission: helping young people succeed.

And the truth is, this work cannot happen alone, we need you. Supporting JAG means supporting students across Arizona who are working toward graduation, career success, college pathways, leadership development, and brighter futures. It means helping us continue creating opportunities that change lives.

I’m incredibly proud to work alongside people who care so deeply about students and who continue showing up every day to do this work with passion and heart.

Thank you for supporting JAG and the work we do!