MESA, Ariz. — Child Crisis Arizona’s new center in Mesa was created to provide a safe, nurturing, and supportive environment for kids and families to thrive.
On a 2.4-acre lot, the 38,000-square-foot Center for Child and Family Wellness is specifically designed to meet the needs of low-income children and families in the community.
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“When I walk onto this campus, it is a dream come true,” said Torrie Taj the CEO of Child Crisis Arizona.
Taj said the campus is the culmination of a lot of hard work from many people.
“As we grow, we do not have enough services in our state with 28,000 nonprofits, we still aren’t even touching the demand for kids, youth and families who need our support,” said Taj.
On the new campus, they can take advantage of several programs and services, including counseling, parenting classes, and child enrichment activities.
“This will make a difference, because we are in the community that needs us,” Taj said.
“We’re in the zip code of 85201, which is families living up to 200% below the federal poverty line,” said Justin Duran, vice president of development and communication. “So, this building and this campus was built truly as a beacon of hope in the community.”
Duran said they have partnered with 12 different other nonprofit organizations.
“Where we’re standing here today in the ballet studio, in partnership with Ballet Arizona, which will be coming and teaching classes, not just for young children and teens, but also adults,” Duran said.
They also have foster care and adoption services, family education, children's counseling, health and wellness programs and much more.
“We were one of the recipients of the Devin Booker Starting 5 grant, so we’re going to be able to offer graphic design programs,” said Duran.
Taj said the state-of-the-art net-zero campus was designed with sustainability at the forefront.
“Our live plant wall, our moss walls, showing trees, showing water rain drops… it’s all really important, because we need to conserve water,” she said. “We want to teach these things to the next generation.”
The center will also house basic needs support, a centralized kitchen and food distribution, administration and philanthropy, foster teen programs, art, dance, and music therapy, and volunteer and staff training – all, furthering their mission.
“Safe kids and strong families,” said Taj. “So, it’s ninos seguros y familias fuertes.”
When kids and families take advantage of the resources they have to offer, the Child Crisis Arizona team wants them to feel safe, nurtured and supported.
They also have education rooms that can convert into a larger space for community classes, aimed at providing educational opportunities from things like financial literacy to parenting skills.
To donate to the ongoing work of Child Crisis Arizona or for more information about how to get involved, just click here.
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