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CASA DE LOS NIÑOS
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 20 “Their number one goal is the well-being
“Being the rst Summer Conference Chair from southern Arizona since of kids. They provide safe, secure and
Charlotte Gates (from Sahuarita Uni ed School District a decade ago) nurturing foster homes for kids, outside
was the Chair, I wanted to support an organization/cause in southern
Arizona,” Hernandez said. “More importantly, I wanted to support a of shelters; they facilitate visitations to
cause that helps EVERY kid regardless of where they live. Casa de los help families reunite after kids have
Niños works to help every child, and their long history in southern
Arizona certainly felt like something worthy of our support.” been removed their homes; they help
A er seeing many young victims of abuse and neglect while working
as a nurse in the late 1950s, Sister Mary Kathleen Clark knew what kids deal with trauma. They provide
her goal in life was. In November 1973, long before the start of Child education and outreach by offering
Protective Services – now the Arizona Department of Child Safety – she
opened the doors to Casa de los Niños, the rst crisis nursery of its kind parenting strategies, including working
in the nation, in a donated house on the corner of Speedway and Fourth
Avenue in Tucson. with new, pregnant moms and helping
It wasn’t long before she realized that it was important to follow-up
with families and continue to provide support to them. In 1980, Casa parents prepare with their toddlers
de los Niños started its rst parent education program, and in 1982, when starting schools. They also work in
Casa de los Niños was given permission by the state to license 10 foster
homes. providing behavioral health services to
e nonpro t’s Webster said: “Families are struggling in Tucson – the
e ects of poverty on kids and families is very damaging. We will use kids and young adults.”
these funds from AASBO to prevent neglect and intervene when crises — AASBO President Ricky Hernandez
do arise. Our goal is to help families stay together in a healthy way.”
Whatever It Takes.
Our focus always remains to help you provide the
best education possible, at the best final cost, for
our most valuable resource – our children.
mccarthy.com
AZ ROC 080911,
080910, 138400,
251222
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