Glendale’s Community Newspaper
www.glendalestar.com
Vol. 78 No. 10
INSIDE
This Week
Family moves to WV for special programming BY JENNIFER SCHWEGMAN Glendale Star Contributing Writer
SPORTS ............. 13 Eddie Johnson shares stories at Glencroft
FEATURES ......... 17 Axis for Autism provides access to testing, care
When Kendra was born, her mother Vicki Jensen threw hopeful wishes and private requests out into the universe. She prayed that her daughter would be healthy, strong and independent. Kendra was born with Down syndrome, but Jensen was determined that it would not stand in the way of her daughter having a beautiful, meaningful and fulfilling life. “Kendra was born in Portland, Oregon,” Jensen said. “While our situation was a bit unique, it was also pretty typical. We celebrated Kendra’s first smile, tooth and watched her grow. However, when Kendra was 18
Glendale Star Staff Writer
Students compete in patriotic speech contest
OPINION............................8 SPORTS ...........................12 CALENDAR .....................15 FEATURES.......................16 RELIGION ........................18 YOUTH.............................20 CLASSIFIEDS ..................23
months old, I made the decision that I needed more family support, so we packed up our stuff and moved to Bend, Oregon.” Celebrations continued, and having family around offered the support that was needed. As the years went by, Kendra attended public school and graduated from high school. Although she attended the Life Skills and after-school Transition Co-Op programs for two years, she was often left to her own devices and spent nearly a year without any type of supportive programming. SEE KENDRA PAGE 3
Kendra, center, was born with Down syndrome. Originally from Oregon, she moved to the West Valley for special programming. Here she is pictured with her stepdad Ron and mother Vicki Jensen. (Submitted photo)
Phoenix Rescue Mission transforms life of local woman BY JORDAN HOUSTON
YOUTH ............... 20
March 10, 2022
After becoming homeless at age 11, a Glendale woman is sharing how the Phoenix Rescue Mission helped her land on her feet. Sylvia Stocking reached out to the faithbased nonprofit group, which offers essential aid to “vulnerable Valley residents,” roughly four years ago, she recalled. The mother of three contacted PRM’s Glendale Works program, a partnership with the city of Glendale that “paves a path to employment” for homeless citizens through fivehour paid work shifts performing landscaping and beautification projects. Stocking said the opportunity has not
only transformed her life by offering a source of income but also a Glendale apartment and a means to build her future. “If people put the time and legwork in and utilized these resources — there is no reason people should be homeless anymore,” Stocking expressed. Stocking has since landed employment at an airport. She also submitted an articles of organization form, a document required by the state to establish the creation of an LLC within the state of Arizona, and paid a fee to obtain her business license for landscaping, she shared. And she attributes all of her newfound success to the Phoenix Rescue Mission, as well as its programs and partnerships.
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“Just being able to shut the door behind me at the end of the day, and with all of the nonsense outside, I could just close the blinds — it brings peace of mind,” Stocking expressed. “Even when I was out there, honestly, I got an umbrella, and nobody is going to rain on my parade.” PRM provides “Christ-centered, life-transforming solutions to persons facing hunger, homelessness, addiction and trauma.” The nonprofit stated there are more than 7,000 homeless men, women and children in Maricopa County. Programs include the Hope for Hunger Food Bank, the Changing Lives Center for Women & Children, Mission Sharing and SEE MISSION PAGE 4
