tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-55122091755865064302024-03-13T19:29:07.470-07:00Phoenix Children's ProjectA blog about helping kids, one project at a time.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08665937140400816608noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5512209175586506430.post-65840736757582265032012-07-11T12:54:00.000-07:002012-07-11T12:54:37.549-07:00New Property, Big Plans<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>If you build it, He will come. ~</i>Field of Dreams</span><br />
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You may have read in our previous blog posts about Phoenix Children's Project's wonderful network of sponsors and donors, who helped us win the <a href="http://spiritandword.org/group/phoenix-childrens-project-nominee-for-beth-bill-spirit-and-word-award-of-10/" target="_blank">Spirit and Word Award </a>at the end of last year. We won $10, 000 and have used that money to acquire a new property! This is great news because it means that we will have the opportunity to expand our reach yet again. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">PCP Director and Founder, Mary Frieling, always dreamed of having a place where she can house families and teach them life skills while they get back on their feet. Now that dream is coming true. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The new property, located on 32nd St and Roosevelt has two buildings on a half acre lot. One building will be used for housing up to two of our families, and the other building will be converted for use as a community center.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />In the community center, we can serve hot meals to people twice a month, and provide family activities that encourage quality time. We hope that we can promote a positive environment while giving the children productive activities to help keep them off the streets. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">At this time, the buildings are dilapidated, but we can see the potential. We know it's going to be a lot of hard work to get the property inhabitable, but we're all used to getting our hands dirty! </span></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We are again looking to you, our volunteers and donors, to assist us in anyway possible. There are some specific projects where we could use some expertise and advice. Please spread the word and let us know if you or others are interested in helping us make this vision a reality. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We are looking for help and expertise in the following areas and volunteers for any project:</span></div>
<div>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A/C - someone to look at the evap coolers on the buildings and advise us on repairs or replacement. Also looking for a donated A/C or evap if needed. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Windows - the house is missing several windows.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Landscape, grass and plants</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Yard clean up </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Stucco for the exterior</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Drywall </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Interior and exterior painting</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Fence materials and installation</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Playground equipment</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Someone to pour concrete</span></li>
</ul>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you or anyone you know can assist, please <a href="mailto:helpingkids@phoenixchildren.org">email </a>or call Mary. Together we can rehab this property and optimize our potential to help even more families in need! </span></div>
</div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Stay tuned for updates on the progress of this project!</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Phoenix Children's Project:</b> 602 955 2228</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK9eNQcRj4J5GnIn8_xDniaGOzg1Wii-4dy1yZBbtLwiJ0w6nKCUccxtTwuY_mx72XmSLfTHvu6I0okP795DZ6g22NofLdl5EzHb3eVZxiWsPT5cc_PuobYi7_IQV0HqFRaEl9U33m5VQ/s1600/bldg+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK9eNQcRj4J5GnIn8_xDniaGOzg1Wii-4dy1yZBbtLwiJ0w6nKCUccxtTwuY_mx72XmSLfTHvu6I0okP795DZ6g22NofLdl5EzHb3eVZxiWsPT5cc_PuobYi7_IQV0HqFRaEl9U33m5VQ/s320/bldg+1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaitZROlzDLs3NAsaK8QBV7F5kazrkoOkrB6LBwdeFP-_PGAgPTyG-G0VZp2ILOHQNIZ2GGUC7l5QNNh6yThldOJ5uPUu6zdFRgFSOyCsVOolLhHNisM0iWIszUuiwHPkEoqJCt8Benek/s1600/bldg+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaitZROlzDLs3NAsaK8QBV7F5kazrkoOkrB6LBwdeFP-_PGAgPTyG-G0VZp2ILOHQNIZ2GGUC7l5QNNh6yThldOJ5uPUu6zdFRgFSOyCsVOolLhHNisM0iWIszUuiwHPkEoqJCt8Benek/s320/bldg+2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08665937140400816608noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5512209175586506430.post-91774869279337151312012-06-21T12:34:00.000-07:002012-06-21T12:34:12.645-07:00Welcome to Summer, Soon it's Back to School!<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Education costs money, but then so does ignorance. </i> <i>~Claus Moser</i></span>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In Arizona, one in five children lives in poverty. A good education is the key to changing and enriching the lives of our youth. As summer begins, Phoenix Children's Project is already planning for back to school. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We need your help to assist a local child living in poverty get off to a good start in the coming school year, and you can help no matter what your budget. Our goal is help 175 children, and there are multiple ways you can show your support: </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Become a child sponsor and provide new items to the child (Sponsorship Levels below)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Make any size monetary donation using PayPal on our website, <a href="http://phoenixchildren.org/">phoenixchildren.org</a> or mail a check </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Help deliver backpacks on Saturday, July 28</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Help us shop for uniforms and shoes with the donations we raise</span></li>
</ul>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Sponsorship Levels:</b></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Copper: </b>A package of socks and/or a package of underwear (Approximately $5-10)</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Bronze:</b> A pair of shoes (Approximately $20)</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Silver</b>: One uniform and a pair of shoes (Approximately $35)</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Gold</b>: </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">One uniform, a pair of shoes, a package of socks and underwear (Approximately $50)</span></div>
<div>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Please do not hesitate to step up and assist, as we would like to have all of our children sponsored by <b>July 14 </b>in order to complete the shopping. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Please email Mary at </span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="mailto:HelpingKids@PhoenixChildren.org">HelpingKids@PhoenixChildren.org</a> to get started or make your donations on our website. </span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh87r4T1tI6sUZV8Wj4_hQtS6aX39DbSLkyZJGAz6Dfp00OmgDyWEmhgUkIgI6Pmq471MYe97eUr4hczVNyTSbPNkbfQFjfuYsRhFHfuU0hY3lTpp_eB6bOgO9LodgKZ4LjILJ1OpKNq1Y/s1600/B2S+%2356+2011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh87r4T1tI6sUZV8Wj4_hQtS6aX39DbSLkyZJGAz6Dfp00OmgDyWEmhgUkIgI6Pmq471MYe97eUr4hczVNyTSbPNkbfQFjfuYsRhFHfuU0hY3lTpp_eB6bOgO9LodgKZ4LjILJ1OpKNq1Y/s320/B2S+%2356+2011.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">Sisters from Family #56 show off their new backpacks from last year's Back 2 School Drive</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08665937140400816608noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5512209175586506430.post-18925879609303873892012-06-12T22:06:00.002-07:002012-06-13T10:47:08.927-07:00Winning isn't Everything..but it Helps!<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 115%;"><i>No one is more cherished
in this world than someone who lightens the burden of another. Thank you.<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></i></span><span style="color: #333333; line-height: 115%;"><i><br /></i>
<br />
<span style="background-color: white;">~Author Unknown</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Many people do not realize that Phoenix Children’s Project is
run solely by volunteers and all of the monetary support is received by caring donors like
you and local companies. Phoenix Children’s Project is grateful to have such a
wonderful sponsorship network, but it is also a balancing act for Mary
Frieling, since the funding and donation support has been raised solely by her
efforts. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So when Mary heard about the</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><a href="http://spiritandword.org/blog/category/from-the-editor/" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" target="_blank"><b>Spirit and Word</b></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> contest for
local charities late last year, her ears perked up…especially because the
winning charities would win $10,000. Since PCP does not have an operating
budget like all big name charities, $10,000 is paramount to an organization our
size. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Mary was in her car that morning last year when she heard the
announcement on the local phoenix radio show, <b><a href="http://www.kez999.com/main.html" target="_blank">Beth and Friends</a></b>, on KEZ 99.9. The
Spirit and Word Award was started by the late <b><a href="http://www.spiritandword.org/bill-austin/" target="_blank">Bill Austin</a></b>, formerly of Beth and Bill. Before he passed in 2010,
he donated the money to Spirit and Word<b>,</b> a non-denominational spiritual
resource. To date they have donated $80,000 to Phoenix charities. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When Mary got to her office, she immediately signed up for
the contest on-line, and then sent an email to her distribution list, urging our network to nominate Phoenix Children’s Project. Over the course
of the contest, at least 3,000 local charities were nominated, and Mary’s email
had started a chain reaction of support for PCP. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The judges of the contest had a tough task ahead of them,
but they narrowed the list </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">down</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> to the </span><b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://spiritandword.org/Charlie_Van_Dyke/blog/charity-winners/" target="_blank">top five charities</a> </b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">nominated. Although PCP did not receive the most votes or
nominations, the proposals they received were remarkably written and full of
love. There were about twenty nominations, and some from our families
who have internet access. One recipient of PCP support described our organization and Mary
Frieling as </span><i style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">lifesaving.</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Although, PCP didn’t have the most votes, it had the most
meaningful nominations, and we were selected as winners! Thank you everyone who
helped make this happen. Your words and votes were instrumental in helping us,
not only to win the money, but also to gain more exposure in our community. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The prize money was used to help purchase a property that
will be used as an additional facility. We will need everyone’s help once again
to get it up and running, but we know we can count on you. This new project
will require a lot of time, hard work and vision, but we know we can do
it with the help of you, our wonderful volunteers and donors. Thank you again, for all you
do, your efforts touch the lives of so many.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Stay tuned for more details about the new project!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNr1ayGU-OsOavQEZJJZ9tQMYqN3ehE_0vwMQMi3Qzw52DX2SG5TTPHujtgPXxRPK5vv9ymI4Tg6tTJLHr08QLxuhH3d0onzyoFI-IlVqRnM_-hcuun3naQQ9om6egB9OPtdnDqqTFxG8/s1600/hands.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNr1ayGU-OsOavQEZJJZ9tQMYqN3ehE_0vwMQMi3Qzw52DX2SG5TTPHujtgPXxRPK5vv9ymI4Tg6tTJLHr08QLxuhH3d0onzyoFI-IlVqRnM_-hcuun3naQQ9om6egB9OPtdnDqqTFxG8/s320/hands.jpg" width="290" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08665937140400816608noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5512209175586506430.post-69850430400040919722012-06-06T11:43:00.000-07:002012-06-06T13:03:10.363-07:00Adversity and Resilience<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 115%;">Man never made any material as resilient as the
human spirit. </span></i><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 115%;">~ Bern William<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 115%;">During times of major
disappointment, it’s natural to feel anger, stress and sadness… to the point of
wallowing in self-pity. It’s <i>natural</i>,
but completely unhealthy. As adults, we know that emotional resilience is the
best way to “bounce back” from devastating circumstances, and make the most of
the hand we’ve been dealt. We also know how <i>difficult </i>this can sometimes be, which
is why I’m awed by how much I can learn from the resiliency I sometimes see in young
people. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 115%;">While most of the families
in Phoenix Children’s Project illustrate perseverance and flexibility, one
family in particular stands out as a prime example of the kind of resilience we
all could benefit from in times of adversity. Five years ago, the father in
family #31 was electrocuted and died while fixing a ceiling fan. He dropped
dead in front of all of his kids. It was an excruciatingly tough period for the
family. Margaret, the 27-year-old grieving widow, was left to raise their six
kids on her own. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 115%;">Instead of letting the
tragedy keep her down and further traumatize the children’s lives, she pressed
on and did what she could to give the children a happy home, working the
graveyard shift as an airport parking attendant. She had to wake the children
in the middle of the night and take them to her mother’s house, and then pick
them up in the morning before school. It was a tough routine, but they did it. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 115%;">Today, Margaret is remarried,
working the day shift, and the oldest kids, Max, Juan and Lupe, are doing
outstanding in school; all three of them made the honor roll. Next year, they
will be entering the fourth, fifth and seventh grades. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 115%;">We are proud to say that the
boys are going to summer camp this year. <a href="http://www.sjycaz.com/" target="_blank">St Joseph’s Youth Camp</a> gave us a 50%
discount, and the <a href="http://kofc12856.org/" target="_blank">Knights of Columbus St. Thomas More, Council 12856</a> is paying
the rest. Max, Juan and Lupe will spend a week in <a href="http://www.arizonaguide.com/places-to-visit/northern-arizona/mormon-lake" target="_blank">Morman Lake</a>, near Flagstaff
and they will get to enjoy kayaking, fishing, hiking, and everything else a
young boy hopes for at that age. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 115%;">We are pleased to be able to
send the boys to camp, encourage them to do their best, and show that positive
things can happen, even in the face of adversity. Max, Juan and Lupe have shown
what it means to draw from your inner strength and overcome. They are the
epitome of resilience. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 115%;">After hearing this story of how these kids
bounced back from a significant misfortune during their formative years, I have
to remind myself that when things are challenging, there is always hope for what
lies ahead. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAQ77gAf21LIU4gvwcaormRF_KHrJ0e6rXdviJbzhnP_zT573W2kVBWv6LIcBXKSl73D7hA5UOtzMuKAndND7lHh0dNNsL25QsbzhF8zo7LjmtQ9uqlkyVbrtHYfCDD7S7JCeWVCYupkA/s1600/Juan.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAQ77gAf21LIU4gvwcaormRF_KHrJ0e6rXdviJbzhnP_zT573W2kVBWv6LIcBXKSl73D7hA5UOtzMuKAndND7lHh0dNNsL25QsbzhF8zo7LjmtQ9uqlkyVbrtHYfCDD7S7JCeWVCYupkA/s320/Juan.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Lupe, 9</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUt2ReIn_QCtxAha9T8qVEGRky-RdY5yaYI2BGL11l8O54W_3O89T4Uu5qkDl7-XSLOq144yer_iGHwz4Davjv_sYuQQhM9zWRgqD9fI3mXd_Vy79qWtN5hDmmOlgqoJsnhcn_soQ8yqU/s1600/lupe.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUt2ReIn_QCtxAha9T8qVEGRky-RdY5yaYI2BGL11l8O54W_3O89T4Uu5qkDl7-XSLOq144yer_iGHwz4Davjv_sYuQQhM9zWRgqD9fI3mXd_Vy79qWtN5hDmmOlgqoJsnhcn_soQ8yqU/s320/lupe.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Juan, 10</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS2NOMbrU7TbrZTBIQsKvORJTvmt6hcT81sop7dl1Z3uCN64k7b6jXUe_cZ7JgX3uvvHA76ri-xsJg_5LcKGVha9G1iNtgxpLQLx8zzN4KXo16G6016j82yS_IK42gaq-3A7RQXkQTfMw/s1600/Max.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS2NOMbrU7TbrZTBIQsKvORJTvmt6hcT81sop7dl1Z3uCN64k7b6jXUe_cZ7JgX3uvvHA76ri-xsJg_5LcKGVha9G1iNtgxpLQLx8zzN4KXo16G6016j82yS_IK42gaq-3A7RQXkQTfMw/s320/Max.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Max, 12</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 115%;"></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08665937140400816608noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5512209175586506430.post-55532355492082340392012-06-01T12:02:00.000-07:002012-06-08T11:23:57.240-07:00How it all Began...<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>You must be the change you want to see in the
world. ~Mahatma Gandhi</i> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://phoenixchildren.org/" target="_blank">Phoenix Children’s Project</a> assists children living below
poverty level in Phoenix, AZ. Currently there are 350 families and 1,000
children enrolled in our programs. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So how did it get started? </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Probably an orchestrated effort that included many people and community leaders, who spent a lot of time conceptualizing and executing the plan, right? </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Wrong. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Phoenix Children’s Project serves many of the youth in our
community, but this was not a result of an effort by a large team, and there was no
intricately designed plan. It is a genuine grassroots charity that started with
one act of kindness.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In 1997, Mary Frieling took two kids, Lilly and Larry, back-to-school
shopping as a part of a <a href="http://www.bgca.org/Pages/index.aspx" target="_blank">Boys and Girls Clubs</a> volunteer event. She drove Lilly
and Larry home and was shocked to see the dilapidated house in which their grandparents
were raising them. Mary was upset to see they lived in squalor, and it stuck
with her after she left.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When she went back to visit the children she brought them food,
clothes, and other necessities. She even took the kids trick-or-treating on
Halloween. She couldn’t help but treat the family as her own. When neighboring families took notice of the
support Mary provided Lilly and Larry, they asked her for help. So she
did, out of her own pocket and donations. These first few acts of kindness led
to more.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Soon, Mary was providing assistance to 50 families. Her
dedication to the mothers and children was so grand that she recruited friends,
family, and even her employers to help with donations of food boxes, children’s
clothes, money, and other supplies. Over the following years, her reach spanned
100 families.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A friend suggested that Mary start a non-profit group and start
raising <i>some serious money and really help these kids.</i> And
thus, Mary purchased the <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Nonprofit-Kit-Dummies-Stan-Hutton/dp/047052975X/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1338576592&sr=1-1" target="_blank">Non Profit Kit for Dummies</a>, and in 2004, Phoenix Children’s Project was officially born. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Thank you Mary, for seeing something that wasn’t right in
the world, and for taking action. You are an inspiration to the families, to
the children, and especially to your community. Because of your vision and deeds, you have reached so many families, and potentially
changed the future for numerous children. Your legacy will not be forgotten nor taken for granted.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDJE8QAXkKTmBN9D_VI-PA-blI1lBmTIvbJA8oTY2l9VOwDH9MTTtQ3JLmWENkqLKnIDF-Qx1gIj0WyFXbjrVu7i6_t34hMShyphenhyphenJFfp2yJr6jKpa3uQOm1umJsLVgh0_vopGAdJqUgqm9w/s1600/maryfrieling.1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDJE8QAXkKTmBN9D_VI-PA-blI1lBmTIvbJA8oTY2l9VOwDH9MTTtQ3JLmWENkqLKnIDF-Qx1gIj0WyFXbjrVu7i6_t34hMShyphenhyphenJFfp2yJr6jKpa3uQOm1umJsLVgh0_vopGAdJqUgqm9w/s320/maryfrieling.1.jpg" width="238" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08665937140400816608noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5512209175586506430.post-47637369425780208902012-05-29T19:28:00.002-07:002012-05-30T10:30:16.483-07:00Welcome to our Blog!<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Welcome to the Phoenix Children's Project blog! There are so many success stories, announcements, news and needs to inform you of, that we had to create an entirely new channel to share them with you!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We are also in the midst of launching our monthly newsletter, which will be distributed via email. We are hoping to use the blog to provide more detailed information and include resources to those stories for you. Think of the blog as your one-stop-shop for consistent news and updates. You will also have an opportunity to share the stories and you are highly encouraged to comment. Press the "Subscribe" button below and you will receive automatic updates. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I am a first time blogger, but I am so inspired by the work that you (the volunteer and sponsor) do, that I want to do something to give back to you, by highlighting your accomplishments in our community and in the lives of others. If you have blog ideas, interests, resources or an experience to share, please email me with your information and I will work with you to create a story to publish. I'm open to recommendations and feedback and can't wait to hear from you. This blogging project won't work without <b>you!</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'm so excited to be a part of Phoenix Children's Project, and I hope that all of your stories will inspire each other. You certainly inspire me. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08665937140400816608noreply@blogger.com1Scottsdale, AZ, USA33.4941704 -111.926051933.0704499 -112.5577659 33.9178909 -111.2943379