May 7, 2012
Do you wonder if your gifts are really making a dent in the problem of child abuse? Well, we have some great outcomes to report.
The Nurse-Family Partnership (NFP) Program at Casa de los Niños, an in-home prevention program that helps
transform the lives of vulnerable mothers, had their first graduating class. Sixteen of these first time [...]
April 9, 2012
Why is child abuse prevention so important? How does it effect us all? Children who experience maltreatment grow up to be unhealthy adults. They have significantly higher levels of chronic and mental health diseases and there is a real correlation between childhood exposure to abuse and adult obesity, cardiovascular disease, and adverse lifestyle behaviors such [...]
February 15, 2012
We are are barely through the first weeks of 2012, and already we have heard disturbing stories in the news of child neglect and abuse right here in Tucson. The cases are staggering – both in the severity of abuse and the frequency.
And Casa de los Niños is here through it all – to provide a [...]
December 19, 2011
Casa de los Niños has much to be jolly about. We faced this past year’s challenges head on. We touched over 4,900 children and families with direct services; taught parenting skills classes to over 800 attendees; completed over 11,000 supervised parent and child visits/exchanges; provided over 12,000 shelter and 50,000 foster home nights of care; and, spread our message to over 12,000 people at community events.
November 2, 2011
A few days ago, Casa staff donned our Halloween costumes and brought goodies to the conference room to provide a Halloween adventure for the little ones currently staying at our Shelter. The joy on the children’s faces bloomed as they traveled from person to person with their tightly grasped Halloween goodie bags.
What struck me was the transformation of each child’s approach as they circled the room. Initially, some children were bold—others timid; some understood what was going on—others were unsure. Eventually the children, surrounded by a supportive and loving atmosphere, began to absorb the pure joy of receiving. As I looked into the children’s faces, I realized that, through these children, Casa de los Niños is playing a role in shaping our future society.
September 30, 2011
…it would be extremely difficult to provide over 52,000 diapers, 43,000 meals and 36,000 snacks for the children and volunteers at our Shelter this past year. And, that doesn’t include many other costs such as clothing, bedding, toys, transportation, utilities, staff and medical supplies! Imagine what it takes on a daily basis to keep our Shelter operational! Thanks to the support of our community, volunteers, and friends like you, Casa de los Niños was able to provide 351 children with over 11,400 nights of care last fiscal year.
July 22, 2011
With the onset of a new fiscal year, Casa is a bustle of activity as we close out the old year and usher in the new. It’s easy to get bogged down with the pressure of looming year-end deadlines and upcoming budget balancing challenges. But then something happens—a small thing, with big impact—that energizes our continued dedication.
Like the couple about to have a son who recently attended one of our free parenting classes. They were moved enough to write, “Today was an amazing day for us because we attended your class. This makes us very confident that we can bring it into our home and raise our son in the most positive healthy environment.” How powerful that we can begin teaching parenting skills before the child is born!
May 12, 2011
Summer is pretty much here, but there is no such thing as “summer vacation” at Casa de los Niños. In some ways, it is our busiest time of year.
At our shelter, activities are planned for the children throughout the day … every day … since the kids aren’t going to school.
The pace also quickens for those Casa programs working with families. Many of the children will be home this summer. Their parents will need our support all the more.
February 28, 2011
I am beginning to think we are suffering from bad news fatigue, if there is such a thing. For the last few years, the headlines have been so toxic we no longer respond. So I was delighted to read “What America Cares About,” a wonderfully uplifting story summarizing recent research conducted by Penn Schoen Berland LLC.
Ninety-four percent of Americans believe it is important to be personally involved in supporting a cause in their communities. More than 75% feel the actions of one person can improve the world.
January 4, 2011
A question I hear often at this time of year is, “How was Christmas at Casa de los Niños?” Well, where should I begin?
Obviously, I remember the fun, the excitement and the smiles on children’s faces. I remember the tearful thank you’s we heard from grateful moms. But for me, one of the best things about Christmas is seeing you, the people of Tucson. And feeling the love you share so happily with our children.
November 29, 2010
On behalf of the entire Casa de los Niños family, I would like to wish you a warm and rewarding holiday season. Thank you for being a friend.
If you are anything like me, it feels like we have been fighting an uphill battle for most of the last year year. We have been wrestling with the economy, stressing about budgets, working on the election, worrying about our kids. A couple of weeks ago, I decided that a lot of those things will still be in there in January. Until then, I am going to look for challenges I might actually be able to solve!
November 3, 2010
With Election Day behind us and Thanksgiving Day at hand, I can connect the two by saying “Thank You!” for rejecting Proposition 302 on November 2. I can’t remember the last time the voters spoke with such a loud, clear voice. It is as if the only people who supported the measure were the legislators who placed it on the ballot!
But another round of devastating state budget cuts could easily be ahead.
September 27, 2010
As we turn our attention toward the election on November 2, Casa de los Niños is focused on one issue and one simple thought. The issue is Proposition 302. The thought: “Just say no!”
I have no doubt the merits of this proposition will be distorted in the weeks ahead, but it is really a simple matter.
September 2, 2010
From time to time, an example of child abuse is so tragic … so shocking … it becomes Page One news in the local paper. Sadly, this is another one of those times. On August 3, a 6-year-old Tucson boy named Michael Ibarra died of a fractured skull. Physicians were shocked by the cuts and bruises they found on the rest of him. Michael’s stepfather was later charged with murder and felony child abuse.
I have no insight whatsover into this case. But I would hope that at least some of the finger-pointing is directed toward Phoenix; toward the state legislators who have been eliminating programs that once protected our most vulnerable citizens.
July 28, 2010
Arizona continues to be one of America’s most dangerous states for children, a recent study has confirmed. The Annie E. Casey Foundation and the Arizona Children’s Action Alliance released their annual comparison of conditions for children under the age of 19. Arizona was ranked 39th. It ranked in the lower half of every indicator the study tracked.
June 3, 2010
We held an all-staff meeting the other day and it brought home a couple of things we knew but hadn’t fully digested yet. One, there are a lot of us now. Casa de los Ninos has more than 200 employees. Two, when we asked our newcomers to raise a hand … well, a lot of hands sure went up! Both things illustrate how much we have changed in the last 12 months.
March 30, 2010
The voters have spoken, and we would like to say something too: “Thank You Tucson!” In numbers that proved overwhelming, voters throughout Arizona endorsed the passage of Proposition 100.
And with this loud, vocal statement we reminded the nation that despite recent evidence to the contrary most Arizonans actually do have have clear heads and caring hearts.
March 2, 2010
Sadly, child abuse was Page One news again recently. A front-page story in the Arizona Daily Star reported that the mother of a 6-week-old girl had been sentenced to life in prison for starving her baby to death.
Such stories are chilling, obviously, but only the most outrageous cases reach the news. A sadder truth is that child abuse and neglect happen every day … throughout the Greater Tucson community.
February 4, 2010
It is an exciting, rewarding, confusing, frustrating time for many of us here at Casa de los Niños. On one hand, our two newest programs are really beginning to make a difference in the lives of at-risk mothers. We are also getting ready to launch a new initiative that will lead to behavior health care for foster children throughout Pima County. These efforts are hugely important. All three are going well, but our enthusiasm is tempered when we see the storm clouds gathering over Phoenix.
January 5, 2010
Several weeks ago, Time magazine profiled the last 10 years with a cover story entitled “The Decade from Hell.” From the disputed Presidential election in 2000 … to the World Trade Center attack in 2001 … to Hurricane Katrina in 2005 … to the meltdown of our financial markets in 2008, it was a traumatic time for many Americans.
There is no denying the fact Casa de los Niños felt some of the turmoil. 2009 was particularly hard. But if we take a longer view, we came through the century’s first decade in surprisingly good shape.
November 30, 2009
As we move into the new year, I am reminded how proud I am to be part of my community. Nowhere can the “holiday spirit” be seen more clearly than in and around Tucson. It is hugely uplifting to know that so many of you have room in your hearts for the kids at Casa de los Niños. I want you to know two things:
First, we are extraordinarily grateful for your help. Second, the gifts we received during December are important to the children and families we serve — during the holidays and throughout the year to come.
November 18, 2009
When you’ve been busy for awhile – and we have been busy for awhile – it is startling to wake up one morning and realize it’s time to start planning your Thanksgiving!
On a drive home from Phoenix the other day, I finally had time to think about my grocery list. I also had a minute to reflect on the occasion itself; on what it means, and how hard it would be to adequately thank everyone who deserves thanks from Casa de los Niños.
November 4, 2009
In recent days, the local news has featured several stories about a Tucson agency that works with the homeless. I have no way of knowing if the stories are true or the charges valid. I just hope that the questions being directed at a single program don’t somehow shake public confidence in the many great agencies that serve the people of Tucson.
Even some of our friends may read these stories and wonder if all nonprofits bend the rules to help their clients. I am here to tell you the answer is “No!” They most certainly do not.
August 18, 2009
Welcome to the “new and improved” Casa de los Niños website! If you are a regular visitor, we think you will agree the site looks different now. We are hoping you will find it easier to navigate, too. We have added a number of new features and updated much of the information displayed previously.
If you are a first-time visitor, feel free to look around. We would welcome any suggestions you might have to make our website more user-friendly. You may easily have ideas we haven’t even thought of … yet!
July 5, 2009
Looking back on this spring I realize many of us have been in a state of mourning after seeing the impact of the massive state budget cuts that crippled children’s services, health care and education. We have seen years of work washed away with a stroke of a pen. We have seen wonderful programs that helped families raise healthy, happy children closed or greatly diminished.
We’ve lost a lot. Our grief is real. As spring moves to summer, though, we know it is important to move on.
