Canyon State Academy

We were honored to present at the "For Our Town" meeting and share the mission of Canyon State Academy with community leaders and partners. A special thank you to QC Junction Café for providing an incredible breakfast spread, thoughtfully prepared and served by our students. We are so proud of the hard work and professionalism they demonstrated.

One of the most meaningful moments of the morning was hearing from two of our Desert Lily Academy students, who courageously expressed their gratitude and thanked everyone for their support. They left the event feeling inspired and excited to be part of a community gathering, knowing there is truly a village of people who care deeply about them and are invested in their success.

Thank you to Sun Valley Community Church for your warm hospitality and to everyone who took the time to learn more about our students and our mission. We are grateful for the opportunity to open our doors, share our story, and build meaningful community partnerships that help our students thrive. 💙

🚨Alumni Spotlight🚨

An alumnus from our Arizona campus, Canyon State Academy, Nick MacNeil pays tribute to the site in his business, while crediting his accountability and support to the program that exposed him to a plethora of vocational opportunities.

After graduation, he joined the military, where he chose to be a culinary specialist. After that he tried a lot of other trades, from retail sales to HVAC repair before a friend said to him, “You look like you’d make a good tree climber,” and gave him an opportunity that would change his life.

Now a professional arborist running his own business, Canyon State Trees , he’s working with the program to bring arboriculture as a career and technical opportunity to the youth at Canyon State Academy where he also works part-time to give back.

We are so proud of this goal oriented, entrepreneurial, alumni who continues to work hard and give back to those in his community.

📚 Back-to-School Supply Drive 📚

Help support our students by donating school supplies for the upcoming school year! Donations requested through August 21, 2026.

Donations can be dropped off Monday through Friday to the Canyon State Academy front desk: 20061 E Rittenhouse Rd. Queen Creek, AZ 85142

Requested items:
• Loose-leaf notebook paper (no spiral-bound notebooks)
• Clear backpacks
• Pencils
• Erasers & Eraser tops
• Composition notebooks
• Lysol wipes
• Kleenex/tissues
• Dry-erase markers (any color)
• Electric pencil sharpeners
• 1-inch three-ring binders (burgundy or white)
• Plastic folders (no metal prongs)
• Granola Bars/ snacks for football practices/ games
• Gatorade for football practices/ games

Every donation makes a difference and helps ensure our students have the tools they need to succeed. Thank you for your support and generosity!

✨ A Day of Creativity, Compassion & Community ✨

On June 27, we were honored to welcome Cynthia Rutledge and the incredible team from the Keli May Foundation to Desert Lily Academy and Canyon State Academy for a day our students will always remember.

The morning began with a collaborative poetry project where each table contributed one sentence to create a unique poem. Students saw firsthand how individual voices can come together to create something beautiful. Even more exciting, each poem will be professionally printed, bound into a keepsake book, and gifted to every participating student.

The afternoon focused on giving back. Our students partnered with the Keli May Foundation to assemble 100 hygiene kits for individuals experiencing homelessness. They carefully packed each bag with enthusiasm, knowing their efforts would bring comfort, dignity, and hope to someone in need. It was inspiring to see how excited they were to make a positive difference in someone else's life.

A heartfelt thank you to Cynthia Rutledge and the entire Keli May Foundation team for sharing your time, generosity, and passion with our students. Experiences like these teach lessons that extend far beyond the classroom, showing our youth the power of creativity, compassion, teamwork, and service.

To our supporters and community partners, thank you for helping make opportunities like this possible. Together, we are empowering the next generation to lead with kindness and make a lasting impact in their communities. 💙

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💜🍦 Bunco, Ice Cream, and Beautiful Connections 🍦💜

On Saturday, our DLA girls enjoyed a fun-filled afternoon with the Lily Ladies during a special Bunco & Ice Cream event! The girls learned how to play Bunco, shared lots of laughs, and spent quality time building connections with one another and the wonderful Lily Ladies.

The Lily Ladies are an incredible group of women from diverse backgrounds and careers who generously volunteer their time each month to host activities and events for our girls. Their dedication, encouragement, and willingness to invest in the lives of our youth make a lasting impact.

The afternoon ended with everyone enjoying ice cream together, creating sweet memories and meaningful friendships. We are so grateful for the Lily Ladies and the positive influence they continue to have on our DLA community.

Thank you, Lily Ladies, for sharing your time, talents, and hearts with our girls. 💕

On May 28th, we celebrated our very first Volunteer Appreciation Dinner, and our hearts are still full.

There is a Nigerian proverb that says, "It takes a village to raise a child." On this special evening, our village showed up.

We were honored to recognize the incredible individuals and organizations that give their time, talents, and hearts to our students. From our dedicated tutors, the men of Measure of a Man, the women of Gathering Threads, the Lily Ladies, Repurposed volunteers, event and holiday volunteers, community members, Just Serve, and the Queen Creek Police Department, just to name a few. Each of you plays a vital role in helping our students thrive.

One of the most meaningful moments of the evening was hearing directly from our youth through personal letters and poems expressing the impact volunteers have had on their lives. Their words were a powerful reminder that every conversation, every hour served, every act of kindness, and every moment invested truly matters.

As we shared a meal together, volunteers had the opportunity to spend quality time with the youth they support, building deeper connections and creating lasting memories.

This evening was more than a dinner, it was a celebration of community, compassion, and the collective belief that every young person deserves encouragement, opportunity, and people who care.

To every volunteer, partner, supporter, and friend of our organization: thank you for being part of our village. Your service is changing lives, and we are profoundly grateful.

Together, we are making a difference, one student, one relationship, and one act of service at a time. ❤️

This weekend at the Junk in the Trunk Vintage Market in Scottsdale was more than just an event, it was an opportunity.

As the recognized nonprofit, Canyon State Academy had the privilege of showcasing our Repurposed Thrift Store, but the true highlight was watching our boys step into leadership, helping guests, engaging with the community, and building confidence in real time.

Moments like these matter. They remind our youth of their potential and show them they are capable of something greater.

Thank you for supporting not just a booth, but a mission.