Peoria, AZ November 2025

The Power of Giving Back

As the holiday season draws near, November invites us to slow down, reflect, and focus on what truly matters: community, gratitude, and giving. This month, our issue is dedicated to celebrating the heart of generosity that beats so strongly right here in our own backyard.

In these pages, you’ll discover inspiring stories of individuals and businesses who are making a real difference, neighbors who show up, lend a hand, and turn compassion into action. From local nonprofits providing vital resources, to small businesses donating time and talent, to everyday heroes quietly changing lives, each story reminds us that giving doesn’t always require grand gestures. Sometimes, the smallest acts of kindness create the greatest impact.

What makes our community so special is how deeply we care for one another. Whether it’s volunteering at a local food drive, mentoring youth, supporting a charity event, or simply offering encouragement to a neighbor, every effort helps weave the fabric of connection a little tighter.

As you read through this issue, I hope you feel inspired to find your own way to give back, big or small, public or private. Together, we can make this season a time of abundance, not just in what we receive, but in what we give.

Here’s to gratitude, generosity, and the incredible people who make our community stronger every day.

November 2025

PUBLISHER

Kimberly Bailey | kimberly.bailey@citylifestyle.com

EDITORIAL COORDINATOR

Kylie Strawn-Badger | Kylie.strawn@citylifestyle.com

SOCIAL MEDIA COORDINATOR

Nichole Eckman | nichole.eckman@citylifestyle.com

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Toni Ferrara, Gretchen Pahia, Kylie Strawn-Badger

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS

Katie Levine Photography, Nichole Eckman, 1MISSION, Sharon West

Corporate Team

CEO Steven Schowengerdt

President Matthew Perry

COO David Stetler

CRO Jamie Pentz

CoS Janeane Thompson

AD DESIGNER Rachel Otto

LAYOUT DESIGNER Rhiannon Coffman

QUALITY CONTROL SPECIALIST Megan Cagle

Proverbs 3:5-6

How

Bobby Taghavi, Managing Partner

How

city scene

WHERE NEIGHBORS CAN SEE AND BE SEEN NOVEMBER

1-2: Downtown Peoria breaks ground on Jefferson House, a vibrant food, artisan, and community gathering destination. 3-7: The Hive Networking event

business monthly

ROUNDUP OF NEWS FROM LOCAL BUSINESSES

Sparrow officially opens in Peoria

Sparrow, the newest concept from Sky Restaurant Concepts, is now open at The Trailhead in Peoria. This stunning restaurant blends bold flavors and cultural influences through its American Eclectic menu, complemented by a creative cocktail program and warm, inviting atmosphere, offering the community a vibrant new destination to gather, connect, and savor every bite.

Scan to read more

Peoria gourd artist joins Arizona’s largest Hidden in the Hills tour

Peoria resident Jan Downey, a talented gourd artist, will showcase her work at Hidden in the Hills, Arizona’s largest and longest-running artist studio tour, held the last two weekends of November. Coordinated by the nonprofit Sonoran Arts League, this free, self-guided event features 164 artists across 41 studios in Scottsdale, Cave Creek, and Carefree. Visitors can explore diverse art forms, meet local artists, and experience the vibrant creative community that makes this annual tour a beloved celebration of Arizona’s artistic talent.

Lavi Aesthetics opens in Peoria

Located at  9009 W. Lake Pleasant Pkwy. Suite 101 Peoria, AZ 85382 where beauty meets confidence through personalized, advanced aesthetic treatments. Their expert team specializes in services designed to help you look refreshed, rejuvenated, and naturally radiant. Whether you’re seeking subtle enhancements or transformative results, each treatment is tailored to your unique goals. Discover a welcoming environment focused on self-care, confidence, and professional expertise, all dedicated to helping you look and feel your absolute best.

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Walking Forward with Confidence

HOW VALLEY COACH SHARON WEST IS HELPING TEENS THRIVE

The teenage years are a time of rapid change, development, and discovery. Teens are navigating friendships, independence, school pressures, and big decisions about their future, all while learning who they are. At such an important stage, confidence plays a powerful role in shaping how they approach challenges and opportunities.

That’s the heart behind Walk Forward Coaching, a program dedicated to helping tweens and teens build confidence, resilience, and independence while also supporting parents in strengthening their connection with their kids. Founded by coach Sharon West, Walk Forward Coaching focuses on practical tools, real-life strategies, and heart-centered guidance that help teens thrive during one of the most vulnerable yet exciting times of life.

"While parenting my three teens, I realized how much confidence shapes every part of a teen’s life, school, friendships, choices, and future goals,” West said. “That’s what inspired me to leave my corporate career and pursue this work. I love seeing teens and parents walk away with growth and skills to really enjoy these special years.”

West believes confidence begins with being true to yourself. “Confidence doesn’t come from trying to be like everyone else, it comes from learning to love who you are,” she said. She encourages teens to identify their values, strengths, and passions, then practice showing up as themselves. Confidence is also built through action. “Every time a teen speaks up, tries something new, or bounces back after something hard, their confidence grows,” West explained. “Those moments add up and create a strong foundation for adulthood.”

Stress and anxiety are common among teens, but West encourages families to see those feelings differently. “They aren’t bad, they’re awesome insights into what’s happening inside,” she shares. The key is emotional regulation: noticing feelings, understanding triggers, and returning to a place where clear choices can be made. Teens can process emotions by talking them out, exercising, journaling, disconnecting from electronics, and many other things. Parents play a vital role too. “Validation is key,” West added. “Acknowledging feelings without judgment or rushing to fix things shows teens their emotions are real and okay.”

When it comes to goals, West advises teens to start small. “Every time you follow through, you’re proving to yourself, ‘I can count on me,’” she said. And growth isn’t about perfection, it’s about consistency and self-awareness. “Even the tough moments can teach powerful lessons about resilience and trusting in yourself while working hard.”

Walk Forward Coaching also fosters community through its annual Turkey Trot at Paloma Park in North Peoria. Held on Thanksgiving morning, the family-friendly 5K and 1-mile fun run celebrates confidence and connection, with the proceeds supporting local teen programs and scholarships. “It’s such a fun, family-focused event that brings people together for a great cause,” West said. “We get to celebrate growth, gratitude, and giving back.”

“Being in the life of a teen is a privilege,” West said. “Every moment of encouragement, patience, and belief helps shape who they become.”

Walk Forward Coaching offers group and one-on-one programs, both virtual and in-person. Families can learn more at walkforwardcoaching.com or on Instagram at  @walkforwardcoaching.

“My goal,” West said, “is to help teens build the confidence and resilience to walk forward into their future with strength and joy.”

“My goal is to help teens build the confidence and resilience to walk forward into their future with strength and joy.”

Kimberly turned a magazine into community.

City Lifestyle isn’t just a publication — it’s a pulse. A rhythm of voices, neighbors, and stories woven together by someone who believes in the power of connection. As we expand, we’re looking for people ready to turn care into community. Are you ready to be that spark?

Peoria City Lifestyle

WHERE WILD HEARTS HEAL

How one woman’s calling turned into a sanctuary where mustangs and people heal through connection.

ARTICLE BY KYLIE STRAWN-BADGER

PHOTOGRAPHY BY NICHOLE ECKMAN

For more than twenty years, Siarra Decomi built a career in commercial lending, finance, and real estate, fields grounded in structure and achievement. She thrived in that world, but something inside her began to stir. “I spent over 20 years in commercial lending, finance, and real estate before transitioning into business and personal coaching,” she says. “That path led me to become a certified TRH Practitioner, guiding people back to themselves through the reflective, grounding presence of horses.”

“What makes them extraordinary is their wild, unbroken spirit.”

During her training, she learned about the plight of America’s wild mustangs, tens of thousands of horses rounded up from public lands and placed in government holding facilities with uncertain futures. Drawn by intuition, she traveled to Tucson to work with a woman devoted to mustang welfare, who would later become the first member of her Board of Directors. It was there she met Sampson, the mustang who would change everything. “I instantly fell in love with him,” she recalls, “and knew I was being called not only to help him, but to create something bigger that could support mustangs and people alike.”

That calling became Wild Hooves Open Hearts, a Glendale-based nonprofit dedicated to honoring the spirit of wild mustangs while helping humans reconnect to their own. For Siarra, these horses are powerful teachers. “What makes them extraordinary is their wild, unbroken spirit. Despite being rounded up and torn from their families, they remain deeply in tune with themselves, each other, and the natural world. That mirrors what I help people reconnect to, their true nature. Being in their presence grounds us, reminding us of who we really are.”

Sampson’s story became the heart of her mission. He first entered a Bureau of Land Management program pairing horses with trainers, but traditional pressure-and-release methods only heightened his fear. After months of little progress, Siarra brought him home to her pasture in Glendale, giving him space to simply be a horse. “The next day, he approached me, allowed me to touch him, and asked, in his own horse language, for me to remove the tight BLM tag from around his neck,” she says. That moment of trust became a symbol of what Wild Hooves Open Hearts stands for: healing through patience, respect, and choice.

Choice is at the core of everything Siarra does. “We use positive reinforcement training, which allows the horses to engage willingly, learn at their own pace, and build trust without pressure,” she explains. “We honor their boundaries, giving them freedom to decide when and how they want to connect. That respect creates safety—and safety is what allows true healing.”

Daily life at the sanctuary follows the horses’ rhythm. In summer, mornings begin early with fly masks, light grooming, and hydration mash of hay

and minerals. Depending on the heat, Siarra adds light training, hoof care, or movement exercises. In winter, when pasture grass is limited, she provides multiple small meals to mimic natural grazing. “Every season centers on their rhythm and wellbeing,” she says.

The current herd includes Sampson, now seven, and Q, a two-year-old filly adopted from Utah. “Sampson was slow to trust, but in two years he has blossomed,” Siarra says. “He’s comfortable with all our volunteers, respectful of boundaries, and cooperative with the farrier. Q came to us with significant physical trauma but quickly grew comfortable with touch. She’s eager, spirited, and playful, bringing such bright energy to our herd.”

Maintaining balance between wildness and care is one of the sanctuary’s ongoing challenges. “These horses were once wild, and we want to preserve as much of that spirit as possible while also providing necessary care like hoof trimming and veterinary support,” she says. With only two horses, they tend to graze more than move, so she creates opportunities for exercise and muscle building while keeping their comfort in mind.

The mission has grown thanks to strong local support. “We’re members of the Glendale Chamber of Commerce, where we hosted a corporate retreat earlier this year,” she shares. “Most of our donors are local, and we partner with Glendale Community College to provide internship opportunities. Volunteers also play a big role, helping with feeding, mucking, grooming, and connecting with the horses. The community has truly become part of this mission.”

Looking ahead, Siarra dreams of expanding the herd and launching a program to support mustang adopters. “We’re developing a program to ensure successful transitions from the BLM system into loving, lasting homes,” she says. “Long term, our dream is to secure land to create a sanctuary for more wild mustangs, preserving their spirit, honoring their nature, and offering healing to both horses and humans.”

As the sun sets across the Arizona sky, Siarra reflects on her journey, from boardrooms to barn aisles, from balance sheets to hoofbeats. Surrounded by the quiet strength of Sampson and Q, she knows she’s found her purpose, and through their presence, helps others find theirs too.

A LIFE BUILT ON EMPATHY, SERVICE, AND LASTING IMPACT

Life, Law, & Legacy

“At the end of the day, money cannot come with us. But if the people I mentor pass those lessons down, that is a legacy worth leaving.”

Bobby Taghavi does not fit the cliché of the trial lawyer. There is no thunderous voice, no theatrics crafted to dominate a courtroom that you tend to see from other lawyer stereotypes. Instead, what defines the Managing Partner of Sweet James is something quieter but far more enduring: an unshakable work ethic and a belief that success is measured not only in verdicts but in the lives you touch along the way.

Known for his sharp legal mind and compassionate approach, Bobby has built a career rooted as much in service as in law. Their team has spearheaded toy drives for children in need, mobilized emergency housing funds for wildfire victims, and thrown their weight behind causes close to home. Taghavi’s philosophy is deceptively simple: real impact happens when you show up. And in a season devoted to gratitude and generosity, his story is a reminder that giving is not a side note to success, it is the very heart of it.

His relentless drive carried him from the Orange County District Attorney’s office where he played a critical role in putting the Golden State Killer behind bars to the helm of Managing Partner of Sweet James, now one of the country’s most recognized and visible law firms. His résumé spans more than a decade of prosecutions and a career defined by discipline and winning results. Yet when you ask him about a true turning point, he does not cite titles or verdicts. He goes back to 2013, and to a five-year-old boy in a Spider-Man T-shirt.

The boy was a victim, terrified to testify. Taghavi, then a young prosecutor, remembered that shirt when

he spotted Spider-Man stickers while shopping one night. The next day, he placed a sticker on his own hand and gave one to the boy. “Whenever you get nervous, rub your Spider-Man sticker,” he told him through an interpreter. “I’ll rub my sticker too. We’ll both know we are scared, but we will do this together.” That small gesture broke down a wall, gave the boy courage, and gave Taghavi clarity. His purpose was not about climbing titles or chasing wins. It was about walking people through their darkest hours and giving them a way forward.

BEYOND THE COURTROOM

As managing partner of a national firm, Taghavi has learned lessons no law school could ever prepare him for. Business strategy, marketing, human resources, the psychology of employees. But it is empathy that has defined his leadership. “People carry invisible burdens,” he says. “We judge so quickly, but we don’t know their stories. Tolerance comes when you realize everyone reacts differently to pain.”

This perspective has shaped the ethos of Sweet James. The firm does not represent corporations. They represent people who wake up to an ordinary morning only to have their lives changed in an instant. A crash, a fall, a wrongful death. “Clients call us in the worst moment of their lives,” Taghavi says. “Their case is personal, but it is also a ripple through the community.” For him, every case is about more than a file number. It is about human lives.

GIVING BACK IN EVERY MOMENT

For Taghavi, giving back is not only about financial support or large donations. “It is every small interaction,” he says. “With a waiter, with a stranger, with anyone. Each moment is a chance to be selfless.”

Still, his philanthropy reaches far. Locally, Sweet James supports FuelFest, benefiting Paul Walker’s Reach Out Worldwide, a charity delivering disaster relief to communities devastated by earthquakes, hurricanes, and floods. The firm also supports Phoenix Children’s Hospital, a cause that feels deeply personal to him after years of working with victims of child crimes.

“Children are the most innocent among us,” he says. “They do not choose the circumstances they are born into. They deserve healthcare and opportunity, no matter where they come from.”

His giving extends to his time as well. He recalls visiting a rescue mission with his partners and being humbled by the volunteers who gave everything without expecting anything in return. Since then, the firm has donated hundreds of thousands of meals. “It was humbling to see that level of selflessness,” he says. “That kind of service is transformative.”

SHAPED BY STRUGGLE, DEFINED BY GRATITUDE

Born in Iran and raised during times of war and revolution, Taghavi’s immigrant story is central to his worldview. Coming to the United States meant safe

classrooms, gymnasiums, and libraries. “I could not waste that opportunity,” he recalls. “Even eating at a restaurant here is a privilege. It is not a right. That is how you teach the next generation to give back. To recognize that what they have is not guaranteed, and to use their privilege to extend opportunity to others.”

LEGACY OF ADVOCACY AND LEADERSHIP

Taghavi’s vision for his legacy is twofold. As an attorney, he hopes to be remembered as a voice for those who could not speak for themselves. As a leader, he hopes his employees will remember him as someone who created an environment where they could thrive and become their best selves.

“I would rather my lawyers be the stars of the show,” he says. “At the end of the day, money cannot come with us. But if the people I mentor pass those lessons down, that is a legacy worth leaving.”

THE SPIRIT OF GIVING

As the holidays approach, Taghavi takes joy in toy drives, community events, and traditions that brighten the lives of children. Yet the most meaningful gift he has received is deeply personal. His late grandmother passed down his great-grandfather’s ring, an heirloom he treasures as a symbol of family, values, and continuity.

When asked to describe how it feels to help others in a single word, he does not hesitate. “Privileged,” he says. “It is a privilege to be able to give.”

ARTICLE BY ALISON STANTON

Tips on meal prepping for less stress

Let’s face it: hosting Thanksgiving dinner can be stressful.

Between grocery shopping, house cleaning, cooking and baking, it’s no wonder the day devoted to giving thanks can feel a tad daunting.

Here’s some very welcome good news: whether this is your first holiday hosting rodeo or you’ve stuffed many a turkey over the years, you can knock out most of the Thanksgiving meal prep work in advance – some of it two weeks before the big day.

To make this year’s Thanksgiving meal easier and more enjoyable, consider the following timeline of tips.

2 WEEKS BEFORE

Create Your Thanksgiving Menu

• Print out the recipes you plan to use – this will be much easier than constantly tapping your phone to prevent the screen from going dark or scrolling when your hands are covered with flour or onions.

• Using your menu and printed out recipes as a guide, compose a complete shopping list.

• Double check your supply of herbs and spices to see what you have on hand – even the ones you are pretty sure you have enough of, like salt and pepper (this tip comes from personal experience!).

• Shop for all non-perishable and frozen food items. Basically, if it doesn’t need to be stored in the fridge, or if it doesn’t have a short shelf life, it’s going in the cart.

• Plan three easy and tasty dinners for the days leading up to Thanksgiving and purchase those ingredients during your shopping trip. Or plan at least one night of takeout.

4-5 DAYS BEFORE

Clean & Organize, Buy Fresh Groceries

• Clean your home completely, enlisting family members to help. Then, as the big day approaches, you can touch up as needed.

• Finish your grocery shopping for fresh vegetables like potatoes, onions and carrots and other items not purchased earlier.

• Go through your fridge and toss any old, expired condiments, leftovers and mysterious food items that no one is eating. This will free up valuable real estate for your various dishes.

2-3 DAYS BEFORE

Prep Meals & Set the Table

• Wash and chop all veggies and place the prepped produce into plastic baggies or airtight food storage containers. If some recipes call for “minced onion” and others require “chopped onion,” label the bags accordingly.

• Set the table, and include the empty serving dishes. This will help you figure out ahead of time where the larger dishes can go (and if they will all fit!) Add Post-It notes to the empty dishes to remind you what will go in what. Use a clean sheet to cover everything and keep it all dust-free until Thursday. You can also do this for a buffet.

• Gather all needed serving spoons and other serving pieces.

• Pre-measure herbs and spices for your recipes and store them in labeled small plastic bags with the name of the dish they are for and what’s in the baggies. You can also do the same for any flour, sugar or other non-perishable ingredients you’ll use in your dishes.

1 DAY BEFORE

Tidy, Prepare Dishes & Drinks

• Do a quick clean and tidy around the home; for instance, run the vacuum and shine up the bathrooms.

• If you haven’t already done so, bake your pies, or, at the very least, prepare your pie dough. Wrap the dough in plastic and keep it in the fridge until you’re ready to assemble and bake the pies.

• Make the mashed potatoes. Bonus tip: on Thanksgiving, put the potatoes into a slow cooker and heat them up using the “warm” setting.

• Prepare the gravy. If you have a second slow cooker, it too can be warmed up this way on Thanksgiving. This will also help free up pots, pans and burners on the stove!

• Set up a separate drink station where guests can help themselves or someone can serve them away from the kitchen. Stock it with glasses of different sizes, napkins, bottle and can openers and straws.

BUILDING HOPE ONE HOME at a Time

FROM SERVICE TO SHELTER, RESTORING DIGNITY ONE HOME AND COMMUNITY AT A TIME

ARTICLE BY GRETCHEN PAHIA | PHOTOGRAPHY BY 1MISSION

In the border towns of northern Mexico, families are working side by side with their neighbors to build more than just houses, they’re building stronger communities and brighter futures. At the heart of this movement is the valley based 1MISSION, a nonprofit organization founded by Jason and Tina Law of Peoria.

The couple often traveled with their church to Mexico on mission trips, helping to construct houses for families in need. But over time, they began to ask how they could make an even bigger impact. Their answer was to launch the 1MISSION organization, where families in poverty earn their homes by serving in their own communities.

Since 2008, nearly 1,200 families have earned safe, secure homes by contributing more than 371,000 hours of service through projects like community gardens, sewing classes, and literacy programs.

“At 1MISSION, we believe that when it comes to building healthy, vibrant communities, there’s nothing quite as powerful as local knowledge and local initiative,” said Tim Hoiland, the organization’s Communications Director. “That’s why our community development model is built around participation. Doing good for others is not enough. With the help of our committed donors in Arizona and beyond, together we’re committed to doing good with those who will transform their own communities.”

CONTINUED >

While 1MISSION’s Phoenix office helps raise awareness and resources, most of the staff live in the Mexican state of Sonora, leading efforts in Puerto Peñasco and Miguel Alemán. Their local roots are key. “It means so much to us that these staff members are from the communities they serve,” Hoiland explained. “They know their neighbors and neighborhoods better than we do, so we support them as they change lives.”

“At 1MISSION, we believe that when it comes to building healthy, vibrant communities, there’s nothing quite as powerful as local knowledge and local initiative.”

Housing remains the cornerstone of 1MISSION’s work. The homes are cost-effective, easy to build, and durable. But the impact runs deeper than construction alone. 1MISSION is best known for providing housing for families in need of safe, secure shelter,” Hoiland said. But they also quickly point out, they’re not a construction company, but rather a community development organization. That means that while housing is often the most visible thing they do, the 1MISSION staff and the families they serve are working hard in their own communities to make their neighborhoods better places for everyone to live.

That sense of shared responsibility extends to 1MISSION’s donors and volunteers. “Nothing we do would be possible without the generous support of our committed donors,” Hoiland said. “We try not to approach relationships with donors as transactional. Instead, we see our donors as full participants in this transformational work.”

One of the most impactful ways to participate is by joining a build trip. These experiences take

volunteers to Puerto Peñasco for a long weekend, where they work together with families to build houses. The organization’s basecamp can host up to 400 people at a time, complete with hot meals, showers, and air-conditioned bunkhouses. Trip participants work side by side with local families to build houses that represent a dream come true. You don't even need to have prior construction experience. The organization regularly host kids, senior citizens, and everyone in between.

For those curious about getting involved, Hoiland’s invitation is simple: “To someone who's interested in learning more about what we do, I'd say, come join us and see for yourself what's happening every day in these amazing communities we serve. But be forewarned: when you serve side-by-side with a local family, you and your family will be changed. You will carry new friendships and stories back home with you. And you'll be eager to return.”

Ultimately, 1MISSION’s impact is felt on both sides of the border, by the families’ earning homes and by the donors and volunteers who partner with them.  The hope is that every person who interacts with 1MISSION is changed for the better and that the organization’s commitment remains to the families they serve. The organization is one where people experience this dignity, in themselves and in the person next to them.

For more information or to get involved, visit 1MISSION.org

H O P E

with YOU

The holidays have a way of calling us back to what matters most—faith, family, compassion, and the quiet but powerful act of giving. As lights go up and calendars fill, there are still many who sit in silence, carrying burdens too heavy to bear alone. But what if this season, you could be the spark that changes everything for someone else?

The founders of City Lifestyle, through their private foundation, are once again launching its annual Christmas Giving Campaign—a heartfelt effort to seek out and support individuals and families who have quietly fallen through the cracks. The mission is simple: to bring light, dignity, and hope to those who need it most.

Since its beginning just four years ago, this initiative has grown from a humble idea into a life-changing movement. Last Christmas alone, more than 200 families across the country received unexpected support—financial relief, but also something even more powerful.

“We don’t just send checks,” says Steven Schowengerdt, CEO and founder of City Lifestyle. “We send a message: You are seen. You are loved. And you are not forgotten.”

Together with City Lifestyle President Matthew Perry, Steven has helped shape this into a tradition that goes far beyond charity. “This is about community,” Matthew adds. “We believe we’ve been blessed, so now we get to be a blessing.”

Every story begins with a nomination. Often, it’s a neighbor, coworker, friend, or teacher—someone who’s been quietly carrying too much for too long. One past recipient, after receiving unexpected support during a time of deep personal struggle, wrote:

SCAN TO NOMINATE

“We send a message: You are seen. You are loved. And you are not forgotten.”

“Beyond the very practical solution of receiving funds to fix my car, this thing you guys worked together to do is bigger than that. I carry the Christmas card you sent in my purse. When things get really hard, I pull it out and remember what it felt like to be seen. That card represents hope— that change for the better is possible. I’m not sure how many people get to carry hope around in their purse. But I do.”

Another wrote in after her husband was diagnosed with aggressive brain cancer and unable to work:

“This support has blessed our family not only financially, but emotionally and spiritually as we trust God to meet our needs throughout this difficult time. Thank you to our anonymous friend and to your foundation. What a joy and gift to be part of God’s family!”

Each year brings countless stories like these—real lives touched by simple acts of kindness. Some use the funds to pay overdue bills, others to afford groceries, medication, or repairs. But no matter the circumstance, the impact is the same: hope is restored.

This season, you have the opportunity to be part of that. The campaign is now open to nominations—completely confidential and prayerfully considered. Whether it’s someone battling illness, facing unemployment, or just in need of a helping hand, you can bring them a moment of grace that will ripple far beyond Christmas morning.

“Knowing my mom was chosen filled my heart with indescribable joy,” said another past recipient. “Your generosity doesn’t just brighten her life; it inspires hope and faith in all of us. It enables her to stay in her home and get back on her feet.”

Nominations are open from November 1st to December 5th, 2025. To submit someone you know, simply scan the QR code or visit @CityLifestyle on Instagram, where you’ll find the nomination form in the bio.

This holiday season, let’s give more than gifts. Let’s give each other the gift of being seen. Because sometimes, the smallest gesture becomes someone’s greatest miracle.

To nominate someone in need, visit: KingdomBuildingFoundation.org or scan the QR code.

events

NOVEMBER 1ST-3RD

Holiday Open House

Nest Home & Co. | 24650 N Lake Pleasant Pkwy Ste. 103., Peoria | 10:00 AM

Nest Home & Co. is hosting a holiday open house with curated holiday displays, seasonal new arrivals, NEST cash rewards, giveaways and more!

NOVEMBER 7TH-9TH

Arizona Jazz Festival

West Valley Events Complex | 10020 N Ball Park Blvd, Glendale

The Arizona Jazz Festival is an annual event in Glendale, Arizona, featuring top jazz, R&B, and soul artists. It takes place at the West Valley Events Complex, showcasing legendary performers and emerging talent. - Co

NOVEMBER 8TH

Second Saturdays

Downtown Peoria | 83rd Ave, between Washington and Jefferson | 4:00 PM Peoria’s 2nd Saturdays is a free, family-friendly music and art festival held on the second Saturday of each month in the heart of Downtown Peoria. the historic district comes alive with local art, live music, artisan vendors, hands-on activities, and community spirit.

events

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NOVEMBER 9TH

AZ Veterans Day Run

Peoria Sports Complex | North 83rd Avenue, Peoria | 7:30 AM

13th Annual AZ Veterans Day Run. Whether you are a competitive runner, a casual runner looking to run your first event, or just looking for a fun, family activity on a beautiful morning, all ages and ability levels are welcome!

NOVEMBER 27TH

North Peoria Turkey Trot

Paloma Park | 29799 N Lake Pleasant Parkway, Peoria

Do you want to start your morning with fresh air, movement and a ton of fun? Participate in North Peoria's Turkey Trot for community, connection, and a confidence building experience!

NOVEMBER 28TH-29TH

Glendale Glitters

Downtown Glendale | 5800 W Glenn Dr, Glendale | 5:00 PM

This two day event will feature an exquisite arrangement of lights, complimented by beautiful interactive features and picture-perfect holiday displays! Enhance your enjoyment with fantastic products from our vendors, the sweet sounds of holiday songs from our carolers, and even a visit with Santa!