The coronavirus has shut down or slowed down many businesses throughout the United States, but the essential services provided to children in foster care by Arizona Helping Hands have continued on through the storm.

Governor Doug Ducey has again issued a proclamation declaring the month of May to be Foster Care Awareness Month.  The Governor urges “all citizens to do something positive to improve the lives of children in foster care.”

The coronavirus pandemic has challenged businesses to take a hard look at how they operate and utilize their team to continue to be viable in this environment. For nonprofits like Arizona Helping Hands whose services have been deemed essential, the question is how to make our services available to families in need while keeping our staff and an army of volunteers safe.

The Lambson bunch is a non-traditional family in so many respects

Such is the muted celebration for everyone during the COVID-19 crisis. Birthdays are different.

Children in Foster Care need us NOW, more than ever!

I feel so blessed by the work I do as President & CEO of Arizona Helping Hands (“AHH”).  Providing basic needs to make lives better for children in foster care, giving young boys a bed to sleep on after they’ve experienced abuse and neglect, providing a crib to a baby born addicted to meth, or celebrating a birthday of a teen who has never had a birthday celebration – the list is plentiful for WHY I choose to put my all into my daily job.

These are truly uncharted waters. Families are confined to quarters and avoiding interactions with others. Parents are working from home, children are avoiding play dates. All the stresses that we are dealing with today place a huge burden on the family unit.

Sleep Awareness Week raises our consciousness of safe sleep – especially for our children.  Safe sleep for children in foster care is the primary service of Arizona Helping Hands.