Sometimes the best stories don’t start with a big announcement. They start with a conversation. In this case, it started with the Arizona Coalition for Military Families, the Arizona National Guard, and Progressive coming together around one simple question: who could truly benefit from a reliable vehicle right now?

From there, everything clicked.

Through Progressive’s Keys to Progress® program, a National Guard soldier in Arizona received a reliable vehicle, removing a major barrier and opening new possibilities. But this story goes beyond a set of keys. It’s about what’s possible when trusted partners come together, stay focused on people, and do the work side by side.

A Real Need, Met by the Right People

Transportation matters more than most people realize. It’s one of those things we truly don’t understand the value of until we’re without it. The lack of a vehicle is really a loss of connection to vital services such as grocery stores, healthcare, school, and work. It can mean not being able to connect with family or access vital support systems like childcare and church.

Transportation challenges don’t always look dramatic, but they quietly create stress that adds up fast. Through the strong working relationship between ACMF and the Arizona National Guard, a soldier was identified who was doing everything right, serving their state and country, but dealing with the challenge of not having dependable transportation. Removing this stressor for this soldier and their family is a way to keep them moving forward, self-sufficient, and thriving. That’s where Progressive came in. 

Why Keys to Progress Works

Progressive’s Keys to Progress® program is built around a straightforward idea: mobility creates opportunity. Each year, Progressive works with trusted community partners across the country to donate vehicles to veterans, National Guard members, reservists, and military families who meet eligibility criteria and demonstrate need. The program is structured, thoughtful, and intentionally designed to make sure vehicles go to people who will truly benefit from them.

In 2025, Progressive donated 100 vehicles nationwide, with events held across dozens of cities. Phoenix was selected as one of those cities, and that selection mattered. It meant Arizona’s military community was seen, valued, and included in a national effort to support those who serve. For ACMF and the Guard, it also meant an opportunity to collaborate in a meaningful, hands-on way.

Partnership That Helps People

The Keys to Progress program depends on local partners who know their communities. Progressive doesn’t just drop cars into cities and hope for the best. They rely on organizations like ACMF and the Arizona National Guard to help identify candidates, navigate the application process, and make sure the right person is connected to the opportunity. And, as we do with every service member, veteran and their families – we provide support and resource navigation to address other stressors that might be present.

This opportunity was a wonderful way to reinforce the value of the long-standing relationship between the Arizona Coalition for Military Families, the Be Connected program, and the Arizona Guard.

The Moment That Made It All Worth It

When the soldier received the car, the impact was immediate and unmistakable.

Relief. Gratitude. A sense that someone had their back. It wasn’t just about transportation. It was about being seen. About knowing that the systems and partnerships around them actually work when they’re needed. That kind of moment stays with people, and it changes how they see their community.

The result isn’t just a successful program. It’s trust. It’s momentum. It’s the ability to do even more together next time. For the Arizona Coalition for Military Families, this work is part of a bigger mission to ensure service members, veterans, and their families can access the support they need, when they need it. For the Arizona National Guard, it’s another example of how caring for soldiers extends beyond the uniform. And for Progressive, it’s proof that investing in people and communities creates lasting impact. 

Moving Forward, Together

At the end of the day, this story is a reminder that progress doesn’t always come from big speeches or flashy moments. Sometimes it comes from organizations picking up the phone, trusting each other, and saying yes to working together. One soldier now has reliable transportation. Strong partnerships grew even stronger. And a community is better for it.