Bright Choices Parenting

New Directions Institute, with funding through First Things First, has recently been granted the opportunity to expand their community-based parenting education program. The comprehensive program called “Bright Choices Parenting” combines support from two First Things First geographic areas of Central Maricopa and Southeast Maricopa to reach out to more families than ever before. The program has proven itself on a smaller scale over the last three years and has been very successful. With this new funding, the program will now reach all of the communities of Tempe, Chandler, Ahwatukee, Guadalupe, Mesa, Gilbert and Queen Creek.

“Bright Choices Parenting” is a comprehensive program that combines a variety of NDI curriculum and workshops with community resources. The cornerstone institution approach includes reaching out to parents through a variety of venues including hospitals, libraries, schools, community centers and faith-based venues. Through these venues the program includes an array of parenting classes, Brain Time classes, Wired for Success workshops, KinderPrep classes and community resources.

In addition, two new courses have been added to this project. The first is an evidence-based “Nurturing Parenting” program that emphasizes learning through discussion and sharing. The program also has strong links to community resources as every session incorporates experts from the community to share information on resources. The “Nurturing Parenting” project is in collaboration with Child & Family Resources, in an effort to reach out to new audiences in new community areas. The series are ten weeks each and will be offered fifteen times at multiple locations throughout the geographic area.

The second new course “S.T.E.P.S. Plus” is based on NDI curriculum and utilizes their traditional S.T.E.P.S. curriculum (Security, Touch, Eyes, Play, Sound) with additional emphasis on gender, discipline, music and executive functions (impulse control).

To learn more about program offerings in your area, visit www.newdirectionsinstitute.org or call 602.371.1366. Child care is available during some class times.

Arizona’s Children Association announces Interim President/CEO and new Chief Development Officer

The board of directors of Arizona’s Children Association has named Denise Ensdorff as Interim President and CEO. Denise accepted the role, previously held by Michael Coughlin, on October 1, 2012.

Denise most recently served as Arizona’s Children Association’s Senior Vice President and Director of Behavioral Health programs. She has worked for Arizona’s Children Association since 2007.

Denise Ensdorff has been in the field of behavioral health since 1985. Prior to her tenure with Arizona’s Children Association, she lived in Colorado where she worked in a residential and day treatment center for children, as well as with an Employee Assistance Program.

The board has also announced the promotion of Becky Holton to the position of Chief Development Officer. Becky has been with Arizona’s Children Association Development and Marketing Department since 2007. She has been in the nonprofit field for more than 12 years, working in program administration and in fundraising/communications. Before joining Arizona’s Children Association, Becky worked in the Chicago area, leading development departments for both national affiliates and local organizations.

“We’re excited about the future of the agency with the leadership of the executive management team that we have in place,” stated Ruth Osuna, Arizona’s Children Association board chair. “Both Denise and Becky are long-time AzCA staff members who bring enthusiasm, skill, and dedication to their new posts.”

The board is currently undertaking a national search to fill the permanent President/CEO position.

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.