Who we are

About Us

Village of the Second Sunrise was founded by a single parent who has experienced the difficulties that come along with raising a child alone. As a single parent there are many obstacles that can stand in the way between you and the ability to give your child the life they deserve.

Born from a belief that no parent should have to face life’s hardest moments alone, we understand the courage it takes to raise a child while carrying the weight of adversity. And that’s why we’re here — to walk hand-in-hand with single parents and pregnant women by addressing both immediate needs and long-term stability. Rooted in compassion and driven by action, we empower our clients to build resilience, achieve economic independence, and create lasting foundations for success with resources, skills, and support networks needed to overcome challenges and create brighter, more stable futures.

A family of four walking hand in hand along a desert road at sunset, with tall cacti on either side, in the Village of the Second Sun Rise promotional graphic.

Our Vision: A world where no parent feels alone and every child has the opportunity for a strong start.

Meet the Team

  • A woman with long, reddish-brown hair, wearing a maroon long-sleeve shirt, smiling, resting her chin on her hand with a visible tattoo on her finger, against a plain beige background.

    Alana Mitchell

    Founder and CEO

  • A glass container filled with coins, with a small green plant sprouting from the coins, set against a blurred gray background.

    Treasurer

    This could be you!

    We are currently looking for a Treasurer to serve on our board of directors - please reach out if you are interested.

  • A vintage typewriter and an orange rotary dial telephone on a wooden table, with a potted plant on the left.

    Secretary

    This could be you!

    We are currently looking for a Secretary to serve on our board of directors - please reach out if you are interested.

About Our Founder

A smiling pregnant woman with reddish hair wearing a sleeveless maroon dress standing indoors in a room with beige walls and white trim, with a television and a doorway in the background.
A woman and a young boy smiling outdoors near a lake with fall foliage in the background.
A woman and a young girl sitting on a green wooden chair outdoors, surrounded by Christmas trees and hay bales. The woman has reddish-brown hair and is wearing a brown jacket. The girl is smiling, wearing a red sweatshirt with a bird design, and white leggings with a pattern.
A young girl with curly brown hair tied in pigtails, wearing a pink and purple T-shirt and denim shorts, smiling and posing with one hand on her hip indoors.

Alana is a Phoenix native who became a single mother at age 17 when she unexpectedly became pregnant. For the past 12 years she has struggled, survived, thrived, failed and continued to face new challenges head on day by day for the sake of her child’s success. She has also been able to see the wonders of motherhood and the beauties that you can behold with your child as a single parent.

“As the Founder and CEO of Village of the Second Sunrise, I understand what it’s like to face trials and tribulations as a single parent. Whether it’s bills and work, managing a household, your child struggling at school, or maybe your teenager decides it’s time to start puberty overnight; it’s hard work and we feel it from all sides! I wouldn’t be where I am today without the assistance and resources I was able to find within my community, and now it’s time to give back. I sincerely hope that we at VoSS are able to pay forward the kindness that has been awarded to us as a family and have a positive impact on those we get to work with.” Alana

Alana currently lives in Manhattan, KS with her 11 year old daughter, Isabel, and their hound dog, Lola. They are planning a move back to the valley in the Summer of 2026! In their free time they like to play pickleball, practice honing Isabel’s softball skills, watch scary movies, and travel to new places - and they will miss spending their summer days outside once they have to deal with the sweltering Arizona heat! Alana also likes to exercise, cook, learn, volunteer, and help others.

Two young women taking a selfie outdoors with palm trees and amusement park rides in the background. One is smiling, the other is sticking out her tongue and making a playful face.
A woman lying in a hospital bed, recently gave birth, with a newborn baby on her chest. A medical professional assists the woman, holding the baby gently above her. The woman is smiling, wearing a hospital gown, and has a hospital wristband on her wrist.
Three girls riding horses on a mountain trail surrounded by trees and forested mountains.
A woman in winter gear and a blue helmet, smiling and posing with thumbs up in a snowy outdoor adventure park with other people and a ropes course in the background.
Woman with long, wavy hair smiling, indoors with bright lighting and modern decor.
A woman and a young girl holding hands and smiling in front of a colorful mural of a woman's face with flowing hair painted on a brick wall.