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Programs Meet Spectrum of Needs
Throughout the year–around the clock–Salvation Army programs are healing, saving and transforming lives in the Valley of the Sun. Some, such as the Maryvale Corps, impact youth through outreach and gang prevention. A street theater, low-rider bicycle club, and radio program called “Barrios Break Through Oldies” are some of the programs that, under the leadership of Corps Officers A/Captains Daniel and Yvonne Nunez, are geared to at-risk youth.
Others, such as Family Services, under the direction of Bonnie Meyer, provide financial assistance to more than 2,000 families each year for rent, food boxes, prescriptions, budget counseling, referrals, and at Christmas. More than 10,000 families receive help of all kinds.
All programs combine to provide a spectrum of physical, emotional, financial and spiritual assistance that touch lives from birth to old age.
Herberger Childcare Center
CARE FROM THE HEART–This infant, born to a mother in the treatment program, receives nurturing and lots of love in the child care center.
Brightly painted walls, welcoming artwork, nurturing staff–and a secure, safe environment–add dimensions to young children’s lives possible only at a facility like the Herberger Childcare Center.
It’s the only licensed day care center in the state of Arizona that cares for children of alcohol and drug-addicted parents (mostly mothers) in conjunction with a rehabilitation program. Since it opened just over two years ago, 18 babies have been born drug-free to mothers undergoing treatment–a savings in both lives and costs: ccording to federal government estimates, it costs $1 million to care for a drug-exposed infant from birth to age five.
The center provides an opportunity for parents of small children to obtain treatment while their children are being cared for in a safe, loving environment.
“There is a huge need in the community for pregnant women to get treatment,” said Carol Sylvester. We are licensed for six infants and are looking at doubling the number of infants.” According to Sylvester, some parents go through the program, graduate, and later bring their children back for day care while they are at work.