Photo by: Gila Valley Leadership Cohort 17 members move boxes of blankets to the Chamber of Commerce for the homeless.

Contributed Article/Courtesy Graham County Chamber of Commerce

The Safford-Graham County Chamber of Commerce shares the educational journey of Gila Valley Leadership Cohort 17. The final session in May will focus on providing homelessness and community safety and rescue.

Promoted by the Graham County Chamber of Commerce and supported by the City of Safford, Thatcher Town, Pima Town, Graham County and Eastern Arizona College, the Gira Valley Leadership Program is a 10-month leadership and professional development program . development skills. This program provides participants with a unique opportunity to develop teamwork, organization and collaboration skills while building relationships with community members and leaders. In addition, you will have the opportunity to tour various institutions that contribute to the vitality of the Gila Valley community.

On Thursday, May 4, Cohort 17 visited Sean Wenham at Freeport McMoRan to learn about the economic impact of copper mining in the region. Later that day, Linda Lopez, president of St. Vincent de Paul Sam Dairy, gave a presentation to the group about the needs of the local homeless and her community. The group also moved boxes of blankets to the Chamber of Commerce for the homeless and attended a fundraiser for the first United Methodist Church in Safford for lunch.

The rest of the day was devoted to local law enforcement with presentations and demonstrations by local K9 officers from the town of Thatcher. One officer, dressed in full K9 training, padded the regalia while the dog was ordered to be restrained and then released.

Graham County Sheriff PJ Allred gave a lecture to the cohort, discussing his career, the Graham County Jail, and the types of cases the county has seen.

Brittany Dean, assistant director of the Graham County Chamber of Commerce, said it was exciting to see the cohorts experience leadership in Gila Valley.

“Each member of Cohort 17 is very smart and very important in their role.It was great to have them join Gila Valley Leadership this year,” said Dean. “Not only did they say they learned from leadership this year, but they also helped me learn how to improve my leadership even further for future Gila Valley leadership cohorts. It was great to be together.”