                               
  |
 |
 |
||
April 2009
Dear Supporters:
As I write this year's annual report letter, US economists have recently declared that the US economy has been in a recession since December 2007. This hard economic fact is not new news to us. The safety net for Arizona's vulnerable children and families is full of holes, and increasing numbers of people are falling through. The demand for our programs and services is going up at a time when the state budget is stretched thin and we're uncertain about the continued ability of our donors to give.
What has gotten us through every economic hardship in the past, and what will sustain us through these hard times is hope. Every day, the staff, volunteers and supporters of Arizona's Children Association create hope for vulnerable children and families across our state.
During the fiscal year ending September 30, 2008, volunteers from American Express in the Phoenix area spent more than 500 hours at our offices filling "Just for Me Bags" for children in foster care and doing various jobs that free up staff to concentrate on other tasks. Our annual Penny Pitch drives in Tucson and Yuma brought together more volunteers and donors than ever before to raise funds for AZCA programs and services during the holiday season. Volunteers in the new "Trips for Kids" program in Prescott maintained and stored our new bikes, and took youth out for their first ever mountain bike rides. Cox Communications, Comcast, CBS Outdoor and Clear Channel Outdoor began showing our 'hope 3 ways' public service ads in Tucson and Phoenix.
For us, creating hope is not a platitude. It's our expected outcome for the work we do. Now, it's more important than ever.
Sincerely, |
||
 |
Foster Parents Login | Board Member Login | Staff Email Login