What We Do

overview

  • We serve Homeless, Impoverished & Low Income Children.
  • We serve Special Needs Children.
  • We serve Medically Fragile, & Terminally Ill Children.
  • We serve Military & Native American Families.
  • We serve sixteen Schools in five School Districts.
  • We collaborate annually on at least 3 Municipal Events.
  • We collaborate annually on at least 3 Military Events.
  • We collaborate annually on at least 4 additional Nonprofit Events.
  • We work with 30 Different Nonprofit Organizations.
  • We serve about 15,000 Children Annually.

who we serve

  • HOMELESS AND LOW INCOME - The cycle of poverty prevents children from achieving their full potential by undermining their own self-concept and ability to strive for their dreams.
  • SPECIAL NEEDS - The activities are designed to provide a safe, nurturing place where individuals with developmental disabilities are appreciated, encouraged, and can succeed.
  • MEDICALLY FRAGILE AND TERMINALLY ILL – Due to medical conditions or medical treatments, these children are often excluded from fully participating in and experiencing the world around them.
  • MILITARY AND FIRST RESPONDERS – Families of Deployed troops, Wounded Warriors, Public Safety Officers.
  • OTHER - We also collaborate with organizations that might not focus specifically on one of our target groups, but promote and produce wholesome family-based events for the community at large.

target population

  • Impoverished and homeless children from 4 through 10 years old (PK-3rd grade).
  • Developmentally disabled, mentally ill, medically fragile, and terminally ill children.
  • The children of injured/slain public safety officers and military families.

need

  • Maricopa County is the fourth most populous county in the USA with over 4.3 million residents.
  • Maricopa County’s population increased more than any other county in the country; 12.61% increase since 2010.
  • Today, there are nearly 670,000 people in Maricopa County living below the poverty line. The “poverty line” is the minimum level of income deemed necessary to achieve an adequate standard of living.
  • 18% of Arizonans live in poverty. That’s the fifth-highest poverty rate in the country.
  • In Maricopa County, there are approximately 105,000 PK-3rd grade students attending 305 public schools where the poverty rate is in excess of 50%.

christmas tree project

Our November and December Christmas Tree Project events is the primary focus of the services PNA provides. Every event we produce is composed of as many as twenty different activities, each requiring fifteen to twenty minutes for the children to complete. This timeline keeps the children fully engaged and receptive to the lessons presented as they participate in the activities.

Curriculum has been developed for each activity, identifying the purpose of the activity, growth areas, and senses engaged, and providing a brief description of participation. The curriculum also contains detailed instructions for conducting the activity, the number of staff needed, space requirements, a list of props and materials needed, and suggestions for sponsorship.

All of the activities support our primary mission, to increase the children’s awareness of their own potential, build their confidence, and improve their self-concept. While we strive to make all of the activities fun and challenging for the participants, all of them must reflect our core belief that every child is capable of success in life if they are provided with the support, guidance, and acceptance of the adults around them.