HISTORY:

In 1990 violent crime hit a record high in our South Phoenix community.  Within a quarter mile of us, 13 teenagers had been murdered and many more were the victims of stabbings, shootings, and other forms of violence. 

 A group was formed to look for long-term solutions.  They began to explore different strategies, and through trial and error the group finally settled on a unique Community Development Model.  They came to realize that the best way to ensure lasting and permanent improvements in a community was through the development of its people: forged from overcoming adversity, and willing to offer their skills to benefit the greater good.

The group looked to one of its own and saw the profile and example of the type of leader they wanted to form.  From the exemplary life of Reyes Maria Ruiz, “Papa Reyes”, they adopted a “Servant Leader” model; leadership through service.  When Reyes was a young boy of seven, his father was run over by a truck while walking to work.  Eleven days later his youngest sister died from illness and together, these traumas prevented him from finishing his formal education.  During this difficult time he sought solace in his faith and took on the middle name, Maria (Mary), which would serve as an inspiration for the name of the future Community Development model, “MaryTown”.

In January of 1995 the group created ESPIRITU Community Development Corporation, a non-profit organization, with the expectation that future leaders could change communities using a non-authoritative leadership style.  Within a year, a charter school was built to provide this unique educational experience, and a partnership with the National Football League was forged to launch the Youth Education Town (NFL-YET) on the same campus.  Next, the group was invited to expand its model on an international level.  New leaders from other parts of the world came to form part of the ESPIRITU team.

ESPIRITU began to implement its “Servant Leadership” development model, which focuses on bringing together the various talents of individuals, forming them, then sending them in teams to assist other communities change their circumstances and teach them to become self-sustaining.  A servant leader’s primary function is to facilitate the coordination of various projects based on service to others, with strong moral and values-based foundations.

ESPIRITU began to implement its “Servant Leadership” development model, which focuses on bringing together the various talents of individuals, forming them, then sending them in teams to assist other communities change their circumstances and teach them to become self-sustaining.  A servant leader’s primary function is to facilitate the coordination of various projects based on service to others, with strong moral and values-based foundations. 

The “MaryTown” Leadership Development Model has four essential components:

• Build spirit and values (virtues).
• Build knowledge and intellect (education).
• Build Servant Leadership (Productive leadership through service)
• Build new infrastructure; schools, affordable housing, and self-sustaining projects.