A Year of Impact: A Letter From Our CEO

By Joe’Mar Hooper

Dear 3rd Decade Community,

As 2025 comes to a close, I am writing to share my immense gratitude and pride for what we, together, have accomplished this year. This has been a landmark year for 3rd Decade, defined by an unprecedented expansion of our mission and a deeper commitment to the young adults we serve across Arizona and Nationwide.

I am thrilled to report that our reach and impact have never been greater. Thanks to the hard work of our staff and the generosity of our supporters, we achieved several critical milestones:

  • Highest Enrollment Ever: We onboarded over 900 new participants this year! This record number reflects the growing demand for trusted financial guidance and significantly increases our capacity to positively impact futures.
  • Expanding Education: We successfully launched our initiative offering free financial literacy workshops to the public. These workshops have already reached nearly 500 individuals across Arizona, extending vital financial knowledge to the broader community.
  • The Power of Mentorship: Our program’s success rests on our dedicated volunteers. I am proud to share that our network now includes nearly 240 committed volunteer mentors—the backbone of our one-on-one guidance model.
  • New Strategic Partnerships: We have forged valuable new partnerships with colleges, universities, and nonprofits throughout Arizona and across the country. These collaborations are essential for strengthening our referral pipelines and ensuring we connect with the young adults who need our support the most.

While we celebrate this growth, we remain acutely aware of the economic challenges facing our participants. Many young adults today are navigating a tough economic environment, characterized by inflationary pressures and a high cost of living. This reality often leads to a distressing sense of uncertainty and a lack of financial hope.

The work of 3rd Decade is more critical than ever. We are here to provide the stability, practical education, and confidence needed to overcome these headwinds and build a path toward long-term financial security.

To our donors, partners, staff, supporters, and our volunteer mentors: your commitment is the engine of our success. Every enrollment record, every successful workshop, and every mentorship meeting is a direct result of your investment and dedication. Thank you for believing in the mission of 3rd Decade! Your support makes a tangible difference in the lives of hundreds of young adults.

We look forward to an even more impactful 2026 as we continue to empower those we serve with a path towards financial success!

With sincere gratitude,

Screenshot 2025 11 14 124653

Joe’Mar Hooper

CEO, 3rd Decade


Learn more about 3rd Decade, our programs, and the important work we do, click here.

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If you would like to support 3rd Decade in 2026, click here.