OUR SERVICE AREA
A region with deep roots and ongoing need
We serve a 125+ mile long corridor of small, rural communities stretching from Catalina to Miami and the San Carlos Apache Reservation. This area includes portions of four counties, ten school districts, 22 schools, public libraries, and 6,800 youngsters.
The Copper Corridor
These towns were founded around the mining industry and are sometimes called “The Copper Corridor.” However, when many of the mines closed in the 1990s, unemployment soared, economic prospects dimmed, and poverty rates increased. Nearly three decades later, the situation remains dire, especially for children who have never known the economic security most of us take for granted.
Where we serve
125+
miles of communites served
4
counties servicing in
10
active school districts
22
Schools Reached
2
Public Libraries helped
6,800
children impacted
The Reality Facing These Communities
According to the U.S. Department of Labor, unemployment in these communities remains significantly higher than both the national and Arizona averages.
All 22 schools served by SBCO are Title I Schools, meaning at least 50% of students come from low-income families. In some schools, that number is as high as 98%. Academic achievement also falls below state averages, creating additional barriers to higher education and future employment opportunities.
Why our work matters
These challenges are exactly why SBCO’s Feed, Clothe, Enrich, and Educate programs are so important. By supporting children today through these essential programs, we are helping build stronger, more resilient communities for the future.
