Arizonans for Children

When I first started working with children in foster care I was shocked to realize that many kids have zero access to technology in their group homes or foster placements. How are they doing homework without access to technology? When the need becomes apparent, Arizonans for Children finds a way to meet the need. We started the STEM Pi-oneer class that upon completion of a series of classes the child takes the entire computer system with them. A fully functioning micro com puter called a Raspberry Pi, a monitor, mouse and key board to every single child that completes the class series! In the class the kids build/assemble their Pi, learn basic programming languages, explore the vast functionality of the computer all while having workshops and presentations on things like neuroscience, financial literacy and internet safety and security. Arizonans for Children goal - every school age child in the foster care system have their own computer system. There are several ways y

The holidays can be brutal for families who are effected by the foster care system.  For the kids each holiday represents a milestone of their time in care. Thanks for our community we can make the holidays a bit more cheerful. The University of Phoenix shared their fantastic creations from a Gingerbread House and Christmas Tree contest with Arizonans for Children.  M Load Services helped get these beautifully decorated trees and gingerbread houses to the Phoenix Visitation Center.  We could not have done it without their help!  Thank you Alexander & Gavin! The children at the Visitation Center watched with wonder as tree after tree and gingerbread house after gingerbread house were pulled from the moving truck.  All excited to see what would come in next! The generosity of The University of Phoenix has transformed the Arizonans for Children Phoenix Visitation Center into a holiday wonderland.  Together we can create memo

What a Saturday! We wrapped, wrapped and wrapped thanks to all the volunteer support that came out ready to get things done! We all were so busy and running around I didn't snap nearly all the pictures I wanted to.  Scout Cole was working on his Eagle project at the Arizonans for Children Mesa Visitation Center this evening.  He and his team of over 50 volunteers did a deep clean and sanitize of the entire center, something that was greatly needed. Keeping vulnerable kids visits safe and healthy, proving his natural leadership skills was a fantastic way to have a BIG impact on the lives of those we serve along with staff and volunteers. Spotlessly clean refrigerator! Completely disinfected and sanitized nursery! Floors, tables, chairs, highchairs and booster seats scrubbed 100% clean! Cleaned and organized! In addition to collecting all the cleaning supplies Cole also collected new toys for the Annual Arizonans for Ch

Interns are an amazing asset to Arizonans for Children and the families we serve.  My schedule isn't very conducive to taking on an intern but after one email exchange with then potential intern Olivia and I knew I needed to bring her on board. Olivia spent this past semester learning all aspects of Arizonans for Children.  She learned about and excelled in the vital role of reception volunteer.  Olivia understands that the very first person a family or Parent Aid interacts with sets the tone for the entire visit.  Her warm and welcoming smile and demeanor carry over into a warm, loving visit for the families.  She became a role model to other interns and volunteers on how to create a loving, non-judgmental reception welcome all while finding various ways of process improvement and ensuring agency needs were met. Olivia spent time learning to value and patience of supervising visits; another role she has excelled at. From our Director of Supervised Visits Andrea:

Our friends over at Paul Mitchell the School are doing a toy drive. Give a $10 donation or a new/unwrapped $10 toy and receive a haircut for a cause. Saturday, December 15th from 11am-4pm at Paul Mitchell The School located at 3423 W Bethany Home Rd, Phoenix, 85017. #ToyDrive #SmilesFromCaleb #CutForACause #PaulMitchellTheSchool #ArizonansForChildren #GiveBack #FosterKids #FosterCare #ItsForTheChildren

In the spirit of Black Friday, Shop Small Saturday and Cyber Monday - Giving Tuesday is a global initiative of giving back.  Join Arizonans for Children on a global day of giving this  #GivingTuesday Arizonans for Children provides services for children in the foster care system. We have 2 Visitation Centers where kids come to spend time with their parents and siblings in a fun, vibrant, non-judgmental and safe environment. These centers allow healing and bonding as the families work towards reunification. Even if the child is never reunified with their parents; time at the center allows healing memories to be created that help with what ever trauma brought them into care.  Our Tutor/Mentor program matches school age children in foster care with volunteers from the community. Just 8 hours a month and a year commitment will change the life of a child in care, your life too. Arizonans for Children does much more to support our community. From STEM classes, to financial li

How much does it cost to change a life?  8 hours a month and a year commitment. Arizonans for Children Mentors have the ability to be the difference in the life of a child in foster care. Mentor extraordinaire Kathy has formed such a bond with her "Master Mentee"!  For over a year she has picked him up from his foster placement and spent quality time with him doing things he otherwise miss out on like a day at the Arizona Museum of Natural History. When a friend gave Kathy tickets she was able to take her Master Menee and learn all about dinosaurs! In Kathy's words: "It was a dinosaur date day!  🦕 🦖 Thanks to  Krista  for giving me tickets, Master Mentee and I could enjoy a wonderful day at Arizona Museum of Natural History! The museum is AMAZING! Thanks to  Arizonans for Children , mentoring a child in foster care is made possible. Volunteer. Mentoring a minimum of 8 hrs a month can make a difference in a child’s life."

I always start reflecting and remembering past holidays this time of year.  Some with not so great memories and some with a warm heart and laughter. For a couple years when my kids were young the family that owned the company I worked for invited us to their family Christmas party.  Raising my kids as a single mother things were often financially tight, I was tired all the time and we seemed to always be hurrying somewhere.  But the years we went to this party stand out in my mind because in all the drama and chaos of a divorce and the holidays themselves I can still see my kids being a part of their traditions, I can hear their laughter and remember their smiles and hugs. My kids got to "pull" taffy, go caroling in the neighborhood, participate in a white elephant gift exchange and sing along to the 12 Days of Christmas.  It's that 12 Days of Christmas song time that stands out the most.  The family divided into groups and each group sang the part of one of the day

Volunteers from Bank of America were our first "wrappers" of the holiday season! The Arizonans for Children Annual Holiday Party for kids in foster care takes a lot of care and planning and even more volunteers. We got so much accomplished today!  From starting wrapping to Christmas tree inspection. The entire front of our MEC (Mesa Education Center) looked like a Christmas tree farm! Have you seen the video from the party last year? Click here to watch the video! If you would like to help wrap or hold a toy drive please contact Laura at az4children.laura@gmail.com  Together we can make the holidays Merry and Bright for kids in the foster care system! http://www.arizonansforchildren.org/