Adoption and Foster Care

Teenagers in Foster Care: Breaking the Misconceptions

A common misconception in the foster care community is that teenagers are more of a challenge to foster than younger children. Many potential foster parents...

Angel Heart Pajama Project

Providing Comfort for Kids in Need “Look what I got” shouted Tucson first-grader Angelica as she opened her package that contained a cozy new pair...

The Foster Alliance

The first step to healing is a safe home and the essentials The Foster Alliance, formerly Arizona Helping Hands, is the largest provider of essential...

Ways to Emotionally Support Foster Children This Holiday Season

By Jenna Christie-Tabron, Free Arts Clinical Director For many families the holidays are a time of joy, celebration and togetherness. However, for the thousands of...

Celebrating Foster Moms

By Matt Lipan, Director of Community Engagement at Arizona Helping Hands When you stop to think about it, the month of May gives us plenty...

Foster Families Get Perks and Recognition in the Month of May

The Arizona Department of Child Safety (DCS) is teaming up with local businesses and organizations once again to give foster families exclusive deals and...

Q&A with Local Mom and Author on Broken Foster Care System

Just in time for National Foster Care month, Laveen mother of seven, Jenell Jones shares insight and truth behind America’s foster and adoption system...

Fostering to Adopt: The Carefoot Family’s Journey to Grow Their Family

Nicole and Ian Carefoot had talked about the possibility of wanting to adopt before they even got married. What they didn’t know was that...

Q&A with child and families advocate Siman Qaasim of Children’s Action Alliance

Siman Qaasim took the reins at Children's Action Alliance last fall. She talks about current legislative priorities and balancing work with parenting teens.

What I learned in grief counseling as a foster parent

Written by Maggie Zehring I got the phone call from the lawyer after dinner, as my husband was putting our kids to bed. She said...

“Speak up” your kids: Keep the venting private; focus on positives in public

Confession: I’m good at truth-telling and being real. It’s not that I’m terrible at complimenting or lifting up my friends and family. But sometimes,...

Arizona Helping Hands: Making birthday wishes come true for thousands of kids in foster care

“Laura” had a difficult childhood. She grew up in foster care and was shuffled from one home to the next. She has many memories...

Valley Youth Theatre stages “They Chose Me!” about adoption, and it’s personal

For Bobb Cooper, Valley Youth Theatre’s producing artistic director, the subject of foster care and adoption is more than complicated. It’s personal. “It’s no secret...

Going from one to two (or more) kids: The challenges, parenting hacks and let-it-gos

Written by Maggie Zehring Our household boasts three cribs, two bunk beds and dressers filled with at least $100 in diapers every month. We own...

Why every parent should see “Instant Family”

As a foster-adoptive parent, seeing the new movie "Instant Family" hit home on many levels. Our family has personally experienced similar versions of nearly...

Scottsdale mom: Why we grew our family through foster-care adoption

Each Wednesday when I picked up the Arizona Republic, I would read stories of kids who were eligible for adoption. I found myself captivated...

PARTY ARTICLES

Time to Paw-ty

Celebrating your favorite furry friend Call me crazy, but when my husband and I adopted our first dog together, we threw her a birthday party complete with cake, streamers, guests, appetizers, games, and more. Was...

Unique Ways to Host a Joint Birthday Party

My brother and I have birthdays that are just one day apart—his on March 3rd, mine on March 4th, and our oldest brother just a few weeks later on March 21st. Fast forward 31 years...

Out-of-the-box Birthday Party Ideas in Phoenix & Tucson

Wanting to do something a little extra special for your child’s next birthday party? Maybe it’s a milestone birthday—like turning double digits or entering the teen years. Or perhaps your child has requested to...

Birthday Traditions & Clever Theme Ideas

Childhood birthdays are unlike any others. I have fond memories of waking up on my birthday morning anticipating all the fun that was in store. With three kids who had birthdays all in the same...

Out-of-the Box Birthday Party Ideas

Wanting to do something a little extra special for your child’s next birthday party? Maybe it’s a milestone birthday—like turning double digits or entering the teen years. Or perhaps your child has requested to...

Party Etiquette

Whether you’re hosting a party or attending one, you may be wondering—do people really RSVP anymore? What about goodie bags, are those still a thing? Do I need to stay with my child at...

How to Throw a Birthday Party that Won’t Break the Bank

I remember the days when birthday parties consisted of colorful balloons, streamers, a simple cake, and the classics like musical chairs and tag with a few friends. Times have changed and suddenly it feels necessary...

How to do a drive-by birthday party

As we get deeper into quarantine, people have gotten creative with birthday celebrations. One result: the drive-by birthday party.

Home pool party? Hire a lifeguard!

Drowning happens silently and quickly. That’s why children are at risk even when — and sometimes especially when — adults are nearby. Even a "designated pool watcher" can avert his or her eyes for a...

Hiking birthday party

For a child who loves adventure and outdoors, turn a hike into a birthday party.
Tour de Liam, Biking birthday party theme, bike race, outdoor activites, arizona parties

Bike race birthday party

When there are lots of neighborhood friends who love to ride their bikes together, host a birthday party that feels like an official bike race.

Island birthday party

Pool parties are popular in Arizona. Make a stylish upgrade at your next birthday party by incorporating décor and details that will transport guests from the desert to a tropical island paradise.

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