In Memory: John Boemer

A little more than 18 years ago, Arizona’s Children Association (AzCA) was fortunate enough to recruit John Boemer to its statewide Board of Directors.

The mission of the agency is statewide and all board members embrace that mission, but each of those members comes from a particular part of the state and for them their “home” has special meaning. For John, home was the city of Yuma and Yuma County.

In 2005, John received the “Heart of Yuma” award from the Yuma Community Foundation in the category of “Outstanding Benefactor.” John has served on many civic, business and charitable organization boards over the years. Many of these organizations provide support to economically and medically challenged families and individuals within the community. John was well-known in the community for his continued willingness to volunteer his time and financial resources to improve the lives of children and families in the community.

John Boemer was one of major driving forces behind the many successes of Arizona’s Children Association. John Boemer has always embraced every opportunity to give back to the community he values and respects. With John and the other board members, the agency grew to one which now serves more than 46,000 children and families annually in every county of our state. Early on in his Board tenure, John decided to hold an annual golf tournament to raise money for the work that AzCA carries out for the children and families of Yuma. To date, 16 annual tournaments have raised a total of more than $500,000!

While all of this transpired, John was also engaged in a battle with a very debilitating physical illness that eventually confined him to a wheel chair and ultimately shortened his life. As difficult as that was, John never missed a golf tournament, including the one that was held this past May. He fought this fight with great courage and stamina and grace.

John recently passed away, but his energy, commitment and courage will always be part of the AzCA legacy and will live on in the work of the Agency and in the children and families that are served.

Thank you, John, for giving all of us the opportunity to work with you, and for your great and inspiring leadership. You will remain in our hearts forever.

-The Board and Staff of Arizona's Children Association

eegee’s 20th Annual Fundraising campaign raises a record-breaking $240,000 for Southern Arizona Center Against Sexual Assault

In early May, eegee's announced that the beneficiary of their 20th anniversary coupon card program would be the Southern Arizona Center Against Sexual Assault (SACASA), a member of Arizona’s Children Association family of agencies. The goal, set by eegee’s, was to beat last year’s fundraising return of just over $200,000 and they surpassed their goal by thousands. This last Monday, the President and Director of Operations for eegee’s presented SACASA staff with a check in the amount of $240,181.

The coupon booklet program is held each year during the month of June when eegee's customers are invited to support a local not-for-profit organization. In appreciation of each $7 donation a customer makes, eegee's provides the customer with a booklet of eegee’s coupons valued at up to $72.

The Southern Arizona Center Against Sexual Assault (SACASA) offers a wide-range of services that extend to both primary and secondary victims and survivors of recent and past sexual assault. In addition, SACASA implements awareness and prevention programs in schools throughout Southern Arizona.

For more than 40 years, eegee's has set an example to the community, their employees and customers in the area of social and environmental responsibility. This year celebrates the 20th year of the coupon card program.

"eegee's has never been more proud of our customers for giving a record amount of donations this year to SACASA,” said Robert Jensen, eegee’s President. “For 20 years, our customers have been giving generously through the coupon card program to local organizations serving those in need. During these difficult economic times, their donations and support to SACASA are just one example of the wonderful partnership between eegee's, our loyal customers and the community."

“We’re thrilled that SACASA was chosen for this campaign and this financial support of our crisis and mental health services will make a significant in our local community,” said Michael Coughlin, Arizona’s Children Association and family of agencies president and CEO, “eegee’s has gone above and beyond to support their local community and we greatly appreciate their commitment to making a difference.”

For more information about SACASA, visit www.sacasa.org. For more information about eegee's or to find the store nearest you, visit www.eegees.com.

Photo, left to right: Robert Jensen, eegee’s President; Michael Coughlin, Arizona’s Children Association President; Montserrat Caballero, SACASA Director and Dom Scala, eegee’s Director of Operations

Arizona’s Children Association receives grant from Child Abuse Prevention License Plate Program

Arizona’s Children Association recently received $30,000 through the Child Abuse Prevention License Plate Program - a partnership between The Arizona Republic, 12 News and the Governor's Office for Children, Youth & Families.

Arizona’s Children Association is one of 22 agencies funded through the Child Abuse Prevention License Plate Program during this year's grant cycle. Arizona’s Children Association provides a broad spectrum of services to children, individuals and families that foster healing and promote emotional well-being. The $30,000 award will assist in funding two of Arizona’s Children Association programs, The Parent Connection and New Directions Institute for Infant Brain Development. The Parent Connection program works to decrease primary risk factors associated with abuse and neglect by teaching new parents how to develop positive attachments with their baby and gain positive parenting skills. New Directions Institute provides free workshops throughout the state for caregivers and parents to learn the state-of-the-art science of early brain development and its practical application in the care of children.

“This grant from the Child Abuse Prevention License Plate Program is a tremendous support to our programs that aim to address the issue of child abuse and neglect at its root,” said Michael W. Coughlin, Arizona’s Children Association president and CEO. “We don’t have to wait for crisis to happen in order to respond, when it is emotionally and financially more productive to prevent crisis situations before they arise.”

More than 25,000 of the blue "It shouldn't hurt to be a child" license plates are on the road today, making it the most popular specialty plate in Arizona. This year, $562,005 was distributed, including $185,000 in matching funds from The Arizona Republic Charities and its funding partners: Nina Mason Pulliam Charitable Trust, Virginia G. Piper Charitable Trust, BHHS Legacy Foundation, Arizona Community Foundation and Valley of the Sun United Way.

Of the $25 license plate purchase price, $17 plus the match from The Arizona Republic Charities, goes directly to primary prevention efforts. More than $8 million has been distributed to date.

Centennial Finale Reception honors Funders and Supporters

It’s official! As of May 2012, we are officially 100 years old! A 100th birthday celebration was held last month to close out the year’s centennial festivities. The celebration was held in Tucson, the home of Arizona’s Children Association founding 100 years ago. The event highlighted the work of the agency over the past 100 years with children and families in need across Arizona. The event was also an opportunity to celebrate our commitment to providing a second century of hope to our communities.

Among the highlights of the event, Fletcher J. McCusker, Chairman and CEO of Providence Service Corporation and Snell & Wilmer, LLP, were awarded with “Centennial Legacy” awards for their support for kids and families in Arizona. McCusker was honored for his dedication to providing in-home services in Tucson and across the country. McCusker served as an employee of Arizona’s Children Association beginning in 1967 through the mid-70s and has upheld his commitment to those in need, establishing the national headquarters for Providence in Tucson and continuing to be a leader in community revitalization. Snell & Wilmer, LLP, were honored for their service and commitment to Arizona’s Children Association over the years. Snell & Wilmer’s firm has a history of connection to Arizona’s Children which dates back to 1923. The large majority of work for AzCA has been on a Pro Bono basis, something which Snell & Wilmer believes is an important professional responsibility. While both businesses have evolved in name and services over the years, the continued connection between Snell & Wilmer and Arizona’s Children Association has proved to be an historic Tucson partnership.

In addition, Arizona’s Children staff members who have worked for the agency for 20 years or more were also honored for their commitment to the agency’s work. Among the staff who were able to attend were Dara Dupree, Liz Wong, Marcie Velen, Margie Munoz, and Don Dugdale (who just reached his 40th anniversary!). A special recognition to additional 20 year plus employees who were unable to attend: Mary Lyman, Elizabeth Hardin, Helen Gutierrez, Allan Luther, Donald Miretsky, Mary Hernandez and Robert Lopez.

Throughout the last year, guests at our centennial celebrations around the state have been asked to sign a “Book of Hope” to offer advice that will inspire future generations of children, families, volunteers, staff members, business partners, elected officials, and Board members all working together to continue a legacy of hope for Arizona. The “Book of Hope” has travelled to centennial receptions across Arizona during the last year and will be preserved by The Arizona Historical Society along with other Arizona’s Children Association archives.

A very special thank you to Community Partnership of Southern Arizona, NextGen, Snell & Wilmer LLP, Providence Service Corporation, and CBIZ Benefits & Insurance Services, Inc for their support of Arizona’s Children Association centennial events.

Golden Gate Dia Del Niño

On April 28th, Golden Gate Community Center, the GGCC Guild and other partners successfully organized an outstanding, first ever, Dia Del Niño (Children’s Day) event in which more than 500 community members attended and celebrated all children. Culturally, in the Latin American community, Easter or the Easter bunny is not typically recognized. Instead, a day is designated to celebrate all children and commemorate family. Golden Gate Community Center held a huge festival with enormous bouncy houses, a train, water dunking tank, zoo animals, stations with various activities such as face painting, bean bag toss, musical chairs, crafts etc and served more than 600 hot dogs. A group of clowns performed for the children along with a group of young girls who danced a middle eastern/Latin American dance.

The event received such a huge amount of support that the large majority was donated. Special thank you to the GGCC Guild, Sun Valley Church, Isaac Anti-drug Coalition, City of Phoenix Community Prosecutor, Bajo las Mismas lagrimas group and residents. Residents from all the Golden Gate programs came together to plan the event, and collect new toys that could be given out to every child that attended the event. This event was truly a collaborative event and it showed the true essence of community. Events such as these are the very few occasions that the community has to enjoy with their families because of barriers such as finances, transportation and documentation issues. Golden Gate is fortunate to be the safe haven where the community can come and enjoy a great day and know we are here for support.

“It was such a joy to see the many smiling faces of all the children that attended that the hot day and all the hard work was worth it all,” said Sarah Gonzalez, director. “I want to give kudos to the Community Revitalization Program, Amy Marmol & Livbier Pearson, for leading this event, the GGCC programs that participated and helped out and thanks to all those who supported this event. It would not have been a success without you!”

To learn more about Golden Gate Community Center, visit www.goldengatecenter.org.

Hopping Ahead with Parents as Teachers

Adryan, four months old, looks around with curious eyes and a bright smile in the arms of his father, Virgil. Seeing Lorina, his family’s Parents as Teachers Parent Educator, he begins to laugh and bounce, fitting of his Hopi given name, which means “hopping one”.

Virgil Joshevana and Toya Hood, Adryan’s devoted parents, are both members of the Hopi Indian Tribe. Before Adryan was born, Virgil and Toya wanted to make sure they had as much parenting information as possible, so they chose to enroll in Parents as Teachers, a free home visiting program funded by First Things First for parents with young children in the Verde Valley.

“There are different ways to raise your kids,” says Virgil, Adryan’s father. “This program gives us more information on ways to raise children. Without it, we would only know what we know.”

Lorina, Parent Educator with Parents as Teachers, visits the family at their home in Camp Verde every two weeks. Each time she visits, Lorina brings activities, handouts on Adryan’s stage of development, books for Adryan to promote his language and literacy development, and connects the young family to any resources they may need. As a Parent Educator, Lorina is connected, and knows about the variety of programs available in the Verde Valley area for families raising young children.

Parents as Teachers is designed so that families meet with Parent Educators in the home, the most familiar environment for the baby, Toya appreciates the convenience of this. “Trying to meet somewhere else with a baby is a hassle,” she explains. Toya keeps the handouts Lorina gives her and plans to share the information with her pregnant friends and her friends with babies. That way, what she learns can benefit everyone.

In all cultures, parents are a child’s first teacher. From the day they are born, children begin building the brain connections that will serve as the foundation for a lifetime of learning. At four months old, Adryan is going through one of his most critical periods of learning and development. Together, his parents, family and Parent Educator Lorina are working to make sure he is healthy, learning, and growing towards his full potential.

Already ahead of his age group, Adryan is rolling and scooting at a stage normal for a baby weeks older than he is, investigating the world around him with enthusiastic determination. Next time Lorina visits, she plans to bring information on child-proofing a home. With Adryan’s eagerness to explore and learn, Virgil and Toya will welcome it.

Parents as Teachers is a program of Arizona’s Children Association and is funded by First Things First in the Verde Valley. For more information on Parents as Teachers, please call Arizona’s Children Association at 1-888-771-3435 X 2409.

Special thanks to First Things First for this story contribution. For more information on First Things First, the statewide organization that works to ensure all children ages birth to five years are healthy and ready to succeed, please visit www.azftf.gov.

My Perspective

Written by Montserrat Caballero, director of Southern Arizona Center Against Sexual Assault
As published in Latino Perspectives Magazine, April 2012

In 2001, I was part of an all-volunteer committee that brought the first Spanish language production of the play The Vagina Monologues to Arizona. If you haven’t heard of it, it is an amazing play that is based on interviews with women on how they feel about their, you guessed it, vaginas and everything associated with them – the positive and negative.

I remember sitting in meetings and agonizing about how to advertise the play. We were ready to go on the radio, write press releases, make fliers, inviting the public, our community, to this? Could we say vagina on the air? Would we be boycotted? Would there be outrage?

I didn’t even tell my mother what I was doing.

I had already been an anti-violence advocate for more than ten years. I had accompanied countless sexual assault survivors to hospitals at all hours of the day and night, answered crisis calls, done presentations about all forms of abuse, seen and heard some of the ugliest and most intimate ways that people are abused, mostly by those they knew and trusted and even loved.

And, yet, I was afraid.

Sexuality is as normal and natural as breathing. Yet, it is treated as the most unnatural aspect of humanity – something not to be discussed, something to be avoided and hidden, something to be ashamed of. It is mysterious, but in a frightening way.

How are we ever going to break the silence about sexual abuse and assault if we can’t have an open and honest discussion about sexuality in general? That it’s not only completely normal, but that sexuality is a fulfilling and important part of our human experience. Yet we have almost no honest, real, engaged, and compassionate language to discuss it.

How we portray sexuality to young people is equally frightening. Instead of focusing on the fact that sexuality is part of the experience of being alive in the world, instead of showing young people how to engage in positive and empowering conversations about what it means to have a healthy relationship based on trust, respect, open communication, honesty, and yes, how sex and sexual contact will or will not be a part of their lives, we mystify and ignore it or we demonize it. All of our messaging about human sexuality is negative: you better not get pregnant, you better not get anyone pregnant, don’t have sex before marriage, don’t have sex or you’ll get a disease, bring dishonor on the family, ruin your life, etc.

It’s a mess. And yet this strained and corrosive relationship we have to human sexuality has real consequences.

One in six women will be the victim of an attempted or completed sexual assault in her lifetime in this country. Over 85% of the time, it’s by someone they know and trust. And, most of the time, the victim will be blamed – what did you do to provoke it, what were you wearing, what did you say, why were you there so late? Even more devastating, victims of sexual assault are shamed into silence.

It’s time that this shameful victim blaming stop. It’s time that victims of sexual abuse and assault are supported and believed, not judged and blamed. It’s time that we as a community stand up and say – Ni Una Mas – Not one more.

I went on to help produce Los Monólogos de la Vagina for another six years. And, happily, about three years into it, my mother asked me one day if I had ever heard of this wonderful play by this woman about the vagina? I could only smile and say I had.

I am still an anti-violence advocate and I still help those hurt and traumatized by sexual abuse.

And, I am proud of my work, proud of my contributions, proud of my ability to break the silence. April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month and it is a great opportunity to learn more about the important efforts of local groups in your area who work tirelessly to put an end to sexual violence. There are many ways, large and small, that you can be a part of this work. I encourage you to get involved. Visit the Southern Arizona Center Against Sexual Assault website at www.sacasa.org for more information.

Hasta Que la Violencia Termine – Until the Violence Stops.


Visit www.sacasa.org for more information on the Southern Arizona Center Against Sexual Assault (SACASA), a member of Arizona’s Children Association family of agencies.

If you or someone you know needs help, call SACASA’s 24 hr bilingual crisis line: 1-800-400-1001 – anonymous and confidential