Candelaria Design Team takes great pride in the community we live and work in. Here are some of the charitable organizations we are involved with and have supported over the years. We also send various contributions annually and donate design time and Paella parties at charitable events/auctions on a regular basis. We welcome you to join us in our charitable endeavors!

The Colten Cowell Foundation is the non-profit that makes giving fun and accessible by creating more smiles and laughter for kids and families. After an imaginative, unforgettable Crime Fighting Cave experience, kids become real-life Super Heroes when they are empowered to give. In the process, they learn how rewarding it can be to help others—regardless of the amount. The Colten Cowell Foundation aims to change people’s perspective on giving, inspiring them to donate because they know that the experience of giving is every bit as fun as laser beam vision, flying, or most any other superpower. Click on the logo for more information.

Candelaria Design Associates is honored to design the 20,000 square foot Crime Fighting Batcave for the Colten Cowell Foundation.  To help make this dream possible the foundation needs people with creative genius, like prop experts or thespians with a flair for entertaining the masses. Anyone who can donate their time, products or expertise in the construction field please contact the Colten Cowell Foundation on Facebook.

About GiGi’s Playhouse phoenix

On February 14, 2015 GiGi’s opened its doors and was proud to become the 21st playhouse nationwide! GiGi’s Playhouse Phoenix provides free programs that are educational and therapeutic in nature to individuals with Down syndrome from birth through adulthood, their families and the community. All ages are welcome from pre-natal to adults. The positive and uplifting environment of GiGi’s Phoenix will empower those with Down syndrome to reach their highest potential.

Candelaria Design Associates is proud to partner up with Earth & Images in designing Gigi's University and Cafe. This goal for this new addition to Gigi's Playhouse gives preteens, teenagers, and young adults the opportunity to continue their education and maintain the important bond within Gigi's Community. 

July 2020, GiGi's Playhouse Phoenix began a refresh of their spaces with our new designs pictured above! The upgraded spaces will have new carpet, freshly painted walls, new storage spaces, new toys and equipment, a new pony wall to help with the new checkin process and a stage! The spaces were completed late 2020 and we are happy to showcase the finished spaces below! Photos by www.thomasbarnettphotography.com

Candelaria Design Associates is very proud to continue our involvement with Habitat for Humanity Central Arizona. Having been a part of the Phoenix community for over 30 years, we are very excited to see how we can help design dreams for communities in need. Mark Candelaria is a board member and our staff have spent time volunteering time building houses and fundraising. Habitat for Humanity's vision of  'A world where everyone has a decent place to lives.' echoes our beliefs, so stay tuned on opportunities to get involved! To learn more about Habitat for Humanity, please visit http://habitatcaz.org/ or click on the non profit organizations wishlist, http://habitatcaz.org/donate/wish-list/  to see how you can donate.

Why We Walk

We walk to celebrate pancreatic cancer survivors and honor the memory of those lives that have been lost to this disease. Pancreatic cancer is a leading cause of cancer death and will claim the lives of nearly 42,000 Americans this year. stepNout raises awareness and funds to support TGen's critical research efforts aimed at early detection and ultimately, a cure for pancreatic cancer.

Candelaria Design joins Team Lee in honor of our dear client, Mr. Hanley and the Hanley Family!  

In 2016, Ryan House provided over 34,080 hours of respite care  to 276 children with life-limiting conditions and supported 41 children and their families at end-of-life. 

In addition, Ryan House supported 1,100 family members provided 23,000 Child Life Activities and produced four family events. 

Approximately 85% of children qualifying for services at Ryan House reside in Maricopa County and have incomes at or below 100% of AMI (Area Median Income). 

100% of families would recommend Ryan House to their family and friends, 95% of families feel connected to a community of support, 92% of families are able to spend more time with their other children, 80% of caregivers experience less stress and anxiety, 75% of caregivers feel their relationship with their spouse or significant other has improved, 24% of families feel that stays at Ryan House reduce visits to the Emergency Room. 

In addition to serving the children with illnesses, we care for parents or guardians and siblings staying in the house. One hundred percent of families said that their child participated in meaningful activities during their respite stay.

Candelaria Design is proud to be a part of Ryan's House Addition!

Mark Candelaria is an active Member of the Scottsdale Charros and frequently participates and volunteers for these Charro Events: The Charro Ride, Parada Del Sol, First Pitch. Click on the logo to get involved!

The Dream Center Network was founded by Tommy Barnett in 1994 with the first Dream Center in Los Angeles. Since then the Dream Center Network has enjoyed a prolific history of expanding throughout the world with over 267 Dream Centers world wide. In 2006 we came together as a small group of dreamers and we embarked on a mission to establish a Dream Center in Phoenix. We had in our hearts this one goal, “To find a need and fill it, to find a hurt and heal it”.

We then began with community based outreach services, providing daily feedings to the homeless and at risk youth in the community. These outreaches soon led to the need to provide housing services with sobriety, life recovery and medical services soon to follow. Beginning initially with housing 60 people and outreach services reaching 500 in the streets with food, we were able to grow the model to eventually provide housing to over 450 each night and reaching 36,000 in the community each month with critical food and hospitality based services.

Candelaria Design partnered with Camelback Interiors and RJ Gurley Custom Homes in the design and construction of Dream Rooms in the Hope Wing of the Phoenix Dream Center.  Our team was very honored to win the best overall room, best Mom & Baby Room, Best Home-like Design, Best Furniture, and Best Living Area for our room Serenity Harbor.

Each year in lieu of gifts to our clients and vendors during the Holidays, our entire staff as well as spouses, vendors and friends join our team to volunteer our time sorting cans and delivering groceries to the needy. Our next volunteer day is scheduled for Thursday, January 28th.  For more information please contact Stacey Payne at stacey@candelariadesign.com

Other Charities Candelaria Participated in and Donated to in 2017: 

Teen Challenge Center:  http://tcaz.org/

A New Leaf:  http://www.turnanewleaf.org/

Arizona Kidney Foundation - 2011 Dancing with the Stars

Candelaria Design sends regular financial contributions and many of our employees have been very active in various walks and marathons. 

Altered Tails holds an annual event to raise awareness and funds for spay/neuter programs. Mark Candelaria and Jeff Kramer, along clients of ours look forward to this each year. We also contribute financially. 

For many years, Candelaria Design and various clients have volunteered for and supported the Scottsdale Healthcare Golf Classic.