Literacy Connects: Tucson’s Literacy Connects is taking its Stories that Soar program nationwide thanks to a contribution from the Kautz Family Foundation. The expansion will allow young people across the United States to experience the power of creative writing, theater arts and collaboration. The Stories that Soar program has been built on 22 years of partnerships within 11 school districts across Southern Arizona, as well as with community partners, including Arizona Public Media, Children’s Museum Tucson, The Loft Cinema, University of Arizona’s Poetry Center and the Pima County Public Library.
Tucson Water: The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has awarded Tucson Water with the WaterSense Excellence Award for outstanding work in promoting WaterSense and water efficiency in 2022. Tucson Water was one of 25 Excellence Award winners. WaterSense recognized Tucson Water for its Responsible Desert Dweller campaign to encourage residents to save water — including replacing plumbing fixtures with WaterSense-labeled products — and developing a new WaterSense fixture ordinance to garner additional long-term water savings for both residential and commercial new construction.
University of Arizona’s Justin Dutram: The government of Mexico has recognized Justin Dutram, assistant vice president for Mexico and Latin American affairs in Arizona International, with its Ohtli award, the country’s highest recognition granted to recipients outside of Mexico. The award recognizes those who have distinguished themselves through their work over many years for the benefit of the Mexican nationals living abroad. Dutram has spent his career — more than 25 years — coordinating bilateral programs and initiatives with Mexico. He has been in his current role with Arizona International since 2017. Most recently, Dutram helped facilitate an agreement between the University of Arizona and the Universidad Autónoma de Tamaulipas to collaborate in research and education in the area of One Health, an interdisciplinary effort that addresses the nexus of human, veterinary and environmental health.
The Arizona Daily Star Opinion Team chats with Matt Tarver-Wahlquist, executive director of Literacy Connects about all the amazing services they offer the Tucson community and also learn about volunteer opportunities.
