NW Valley Times

GCU alumnus Connor Froysland is aiming to expand his nonprofit, Callahan Care, beyond Arizona. The organization recently partnered with GCU CityServe.

Maps of the Valley and the United States that hover over Froysland’s desk at Grand Canyon University symbolize his plans for improving lives across the country through Callahan Care.

Froysland, who earned a bachelor’s degree in government with an emphasis in legal studies from GCU in 2023, has seen growth with his Callahan Care Open Closet initiative. This program provides free clothing, shoes, backpacks, toys, school supplies, and toiletries and recently gained a valuable partner in GCU CityServe.

Students can access an Open Closet with their families through referrals by the district or social workers or by approaching a teacher for help.

The first Open Closet opened at Peoria Elementary School in spring 2023, followed by another site at the Glendale Elementary School District System of Care Center in November.

“The more we kind of dipped into our faith aspect of it, the more we've seen growth for such a long period of time,” said Froysland. “I'm a very logical person. So I was very concerned about, ‘This doesn't make sense. If we do this, this isn't going to work.’ But the more we just started giving, the more we started receiving.”

Callahan Care recently registered as a qualified charitable organization allowing people to donate money as an Arizona tax credit instead of paying state taxes.

What began as a nonprofit named after his grandparents has grown from serving 50 people monthly to 1,100 families monthly through Callahan Care's Open Stores.

Open Closets have been established at Title-1 schools Alta Loma, Sun Valley, Peoria, Cotton Boll, Oasis and Ocotillo elementary schools; Centennial High School; and System of Care Center.

Callahan Care now has seven district partners and nearly 30 districts on a waiting list. Froysland estimates about seven new Open Closets will be built over the next five months.

Callahan Care Chief Operations Officer Leighton Feltman and CEO Connor Froysland stand among items supplied to those in need by GCU CityServe’s campus warehouse.

“Now we’re offering around six services to the districts we partner with,” said Froysland.

Two significant additions are a pantry and delivery system. All but one Open Closet has an Open Pantry carrying essential food items like water and juice. No families have been turned away from Open Closets or Pantries if they approach teachers or social workers for help.

Each Open Pantry stocks around 500 cans of food.

GCU CityServe Director Nathan Cooper noted that GCU CityServe has provided over 10,000 pieces of clothing stored in Building 71—a mini-warehouse for Callahan Care throughout Arizona.

“It was going through boxes and bags,” Cooper said. “And you want to create a dignified experience for the families.”

Mini-warehouses have expedited delivery processes significantly. According to Froysland, requests such as beds are placed on pallets so church partners can deliver them free of charge within a week—down from two to three weeks previously.

Connor Froysland stated that Callahan Care collaborates with GCU to provide classes for students in low economic areas through an agreement with CCSC (Canyon Christian Schools Consortium).

Froysland aims for rapid expansion to meet increasing demands. Each district contract allows Callahan Care to hold two community events annually publicized district-wide. Plans include conducting Christmas celebrations with partners to assist families with presents.

Reflecting on past achievements while focusing on future goals remains challenging yet motivating for Froysland: “Since we have our eyes so far focused forward... it can be pretty difficult...to remember how much we've grown.”

Mark Gonzales can be reached at [email protected]