Weekly e-Newsletter | April 26th, 2023

Carla Goes Home to Michigan

Carla is a 20-year-old women who recently came to the Brian Garcia Welcome Center for assistance. She was raised in Arizona until she was 19 years old. In 2022, Carla reported that she relocated to Michigan to live with her brother. She began working at a casino, but struggled with stress and anxiety. She moved out of her brother’s house and moved in with a friend. She stated that her friend began using drugs, and she started using them too and developed an addiction.

Carla reported that she decided to leave Michigan and return to Arizona. She began attending addiction meetings and programs. Carla admitted that she had a negative attitude toward treatment, and her behaviors resulted in being kicked out of the program. She then spent several nights at a Community Bridges program. While there she decided that if she were to remain (homeless) in Arizona, she would begin using meth again.

Carla told HSC staff that she was adopted when she was an infant. Approximately six months ago, she was able to find her biological mother, Megan, and they began building a relationship. HSC Staff spoke with Megan, who was very willing to have Carla come live with her in Michigan. HSC provided Carla with a bus ticket; she safely arrived in Michigan and is now reunited with her birth mother.

We never know the journey each person is on and how it will bring people together. We wish Carla and Megan a bright future.

ThirstAid Heath Relief Campaign Starts May 6th

Summer heat relief preparation has begun at the HSC! While water is needed year around, even more is needed over the summer. Our organizations will distribute at least 100,000 bottles of water per month from May through September to help clients stay hydrated and healthy. The first bottled water donation drop-off of the season is Saturday, May 6th from 9 am to noon. We make it easy: You pull up at 15th Avenue & Harrison Street, and our staff will remove the donations from your vehicle. We also welcome travel-sized toiletries, summer clothing, shoes, new men's/women's underwear, hats, sunglasses, sunscreen and lip balm. For more information or to schedule a drop-off on a different day, please email [email protected] or call us at 602-282-0849. 

And a big thank you to Campus partner St. Joseph the Worker, the originator of ThirstAid who is co-hosting the May 6th launch with HSC. St. Joseph the Worker is a role model for promoting collaboration among Campus partners.

Project Connect Volunteers Needed on May 25th

Season 2, Episode 7 of "It Happens at STN"

The April episode takes a look at utilizing the specific strengths of organizations dedicated to solving systemic issues in the Valley, how a credit union is helping nonprofits survive and what motivates leaders to lead. Watch it here.

Episode 8 will be taped the first week in May. Stay tuned!

Click Here to View All Episodes.