Meet Rachel Pearson: Champion for Families, Storytelling, and Lasting Change

At an early age, Save the Family board member Rachel Pearson was introduced to philanthropy and the importance of giving back to the community. Her family volunteered, donated money, and spent time supporting charities important to them. Her involvement with Save the Family reflects the values of service instilled in her early on, and today she strives to inspire others to give generously while shining a light on the life-changing work of the organization.

“The organization has been changing lives for decades, but so many people still don’t know who we are,” she says. “Recently we’ve made a concerted effort to amplify the Save the Family story and it’s been exciting to watch as we put the organization out there and start to get noticed, really noticed.”

With a successful 25 year career in communications, Rachel is an avid and gifted storyteller. In her opinion, the most powerful part of Save the Family’s work is its commitment to personalized support and financial independence.

“It’s not about quick Band-Aids,” she said. “The real goal is helping families return to self-sufficiency, to truly be part of their community again and flourish. That’s when lasting change happens.”

What Inspires Her

Rachel lights up when she talks about Save the Family’s partnerships and the way the organization has expanded its’ reach.

“Partnerships like Maricopa Community College, SRP, Ulysses Development and others connect us with new communities we might not usually serve, and the impact spreads across the Valley,” she said.

But what moves her most are the families themselves.

“I’ve been incredibly blessed in my own life — I’ve had support systems and access to education and resources that many families don’t. The challenges families face are complex — homelessness itself is complex. One setback can create a domino effect that’s hard to recover from. That’s why the services and dedicated team at Save the Family are so vital. But even more incredible is the determination of the families themselves. Their resilience, their courage, and their relentless drive to rebuild their lives is truly awe-inspiring, and something I deeply admire.”

Why It Matters

Rachel knows how important it is to share these stories.

“Fundraising isn’t just about grants or numbers — it’s about people,” she said. “When you help one parent, you’re impacting their kids and even their grandkids. That’s generational change.”

“Getting in front of new audiences, telling these families’ stories, and connecting with people who may not know us — that’s how the mission grows. And when awareness grows, so does our impact.”