Staff Reports | Free Press Philanthropy
Child Crisis Arizona welcomed nearly 500 guests to its annual Lunch for Love fundraising event on Thursday, Oct. 30, at the Arizona Biltmore Resort, raising more than $1 million in just one hour to support foster care and adoption services, family education, children’s counseling, and health and wellness programs.
“Picture a young adult who grew up in foster care. On their 18th birthday, they ‘age out’ of the system. One week they have a roof over their head; the next, they don’t. No family to call. No steady adult to guide them. Just the overwhelming challenge of stepping into adulthood alone,” said Torrie A. Taj, CEO of Child Crisis Arizona, as she welcomed attendees.
“Or a child removed from home because of abuse. That moment of uncertainty is one no child should ever face. Yet too many do. And when they do, it’s up to all of us to step in—to wrap them in safety, stability and love.”
Ms. Taj emphasized that through wraparound services for children, teens and families, Child Crisis Arizona is building a safety net strong enough to catch challenges before they become crises.
“Preventing abuse, neglect and poverty means standing beside families early—helping parents gain confidence, helping children feel secure, helping communities grow stronger,” Ms. Taj said before announcing the launch of the Everlasting Impact Initiative.
The initiative aims to ensure that Child Crisis Arizona’s award-winning early education programs remain funded and sustainable for generations. Through it, donors can make transformational gifts, with their names woven into classrooms, playgrounds and spaces where children learn, play and dream.
Dino Camunez, board chair of Child Crisis Arizona, and Mary Michel, past board chair and longtime supporter, also spoke at the event.
“In just the past year alone, Child Crisis Arizona has served nearly 50,000 individuals through prevention, intervention and wellness programming,” Mr. Camunez said. “Even more inspiring is the way the organization has continued to expand to meet community needs, offering wraparound services that support everyone from prenatal mothers to young adults aging out of foster care, and even adults with developmental disabilities.”
Entertainment was provided by Higher Octave Healing, a nonprofit that conducts music therapy in Child Crisis Arizona’s emergency shelter and at the Center for Child & Family Wellness. Former foster parent and adoptive mother Nicole Schmidt shared her personal story.
“Our lives changed forever as we were introduced to this beautiful new baby boy named Rylee,” Ms. Schmidt said. “There were countless appointments, court dates and visitations. And while my friends were supportive, none of them truly understood what foster parenting felt like—the mix of love, fear and hope that fills every day.”
