Arizonans for Children

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/

Tuesday's Toy Drive Challenge is  Volunteer Tracey's Barbie Accessories vs  Volunteer Treacey's Skateboard! Arizonans for Children Amazon Wish List Arizonans for Children Amazon Wish List Shop anywhere! Find the best deals and share where you find them.... Donations can be shipped to or dropped off at either Visitation Center: Arizonans for Children 1112 W. Camelback Rd, Phoenix AZ 85013 M-F 9-6, Sat 10-2 1020 N Horne, Mesa AZ 85203 M-F 10-6, Sat 10-2 Together we can make the holidays magical for kids in foster care! In case you haven't seen it - watch the video from the Arizonans for Children Annual Holiday Party from last year.   Arizonans for Children Holiday Party Video www.arizonansforchildren.org

Who will help Arizonans for Children collect toys and gifts for kids in the foster care system by hanging up a flyer? Clicking share is a super easy way to help make the holidays magical for these kids! 🎅 🤶 🎄 ☃️ ❄️ Arizonans for Children Holiday Party video In case you haven't seen it - watch the video above from our party last year. This is what we do and why we do it! Can we get a flyer in every coffee shop in the valley? every gym? every church? every community center? every hair and nail salon? Will your business hold a toy drive? your club? How about your neighborhood? or Mom's group? Did you know that most of the kids coming to this party this will be the only holiday event they have? The only time they get gifts? www.arizonansforchildren.org There are a lot of non-profit agencies collecting gifts for kids in foster care.....consider helping any of them. Together we can make sure every chil