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COMMUNITY
Community
AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | JULY 27, 2022
@AhwatukeeFN |
@AhwatukeeFN
www.ahwatukee.com
100+ Women Who Care helps foundation BY KIM TARNOPOLSKI AFN Contributor
T
he statistics are both staggering and heartbreaking. Every night 1.3 million unsheltered youth are sleeping on the streets around our country. It is estimated that 5,000 unaccompanied youth die each year because of assault, illness, or suicide. Thankfully, the generosity of a local nonprofit is here to help. The Aris Foundation provides assistance to individuals, homeless or housed, who need care. They provide food, clothing, and hygiene items, but what really sets Aris apart is their passion to provide their clients a connection to the loving volunteers who care about their well-being. Their goal is not to change the individuals they help, but instead to “love them for who they are.” One of the individuals who received ser-
Celebrating the donation to the Aris Foundation by 100+ Women Who Care Valley of the Sun are, from left, Stephanie Millner, Nick Baker, Katherine Katz, Katherine Kouvelas–Edick and Kim Tarnopolski. (Special to AFN) vices reflected, “They believed in me when I didn’t believe in myself.” A new sense of self-worth was provided to this individual and that’s what it took to
change their life. Many of those who have benefited from the generosity of Aris Foundation have mentioned that depression, challenges at
school, family conflict, and abuse have led them to where they are today. A strong support system with friends and family was not evident to them, and once they leave home, that feeling of alienation becomes stronger. Life on the street is difficult at best, and 63% of homeless youth experience physical violence or other victimization. Many of these children move on to become homeless adults. To care and provide for these individuals, Aris Foundation provides a warm meal every Tuesday evening, rain or shine, at Jaycee Park in Tempe at 5 p.m. Approximately 250 adults between the ages of 18 and 65 attend regularly. They also receive donated items and necessities, such as basic hygiene items, including soaps, shampoo, and toothpaste. Above all, these individuals receive kindness and companionship to help fulfill a
see ARIS page 25
Memory Café connects families on dementia journey BY LIN SUE FLOOD AFN Guest Writer
W
hen Tim Shaffer’s wife, Diana, was diagnosed with dementia, both their lives changed. In the blink of an eye, he became her caregiver. Suddenly, Tim was the one responsible for keeping her safe and meeting her daily needs. “I was looking for answers, trying to figure out why certain behaviors were occurring,” he confesses. “I was extremely frustrated and angry.” His anxiety lessened after he discovered the Memory Café at Hospice of the Valley’s new Dementia Care and Education Campus in Central Phoenix. Every Monday morning, Tim and 20 other caregivers meet to share their challenges, while in a nearby room, their loved
ones engage in fun activities like singing, dancing, painting and pet therapy with the help of specially trained staff. This unique support group is facilitated by Nicole Crothers, a Hospice of the Valley dementia educator. “One of the most difficult things about living with dementia is the isolation,” she explains. “Care partners not only lose their relationship with their loved one, but with friends who don’t understand what they’re going through. This is a place to connect with people who aren’t going
see MEMORY page 25
Laura Norris, left, learns dance steps from activities director Gail Higgenbotham at the Memory Café at Hospice of the Valley’s new Dementia Care and Education Campus in Central Phoenix. (Hospice of the Valley)
