Yale School of Drama presents Each year, Arizona Family Services of Glendale County honors a “Person of the Year” for their service to the community and local children. While past honorees have included social workers, teachers and a local judge, this is the first year we have honored a parent. Blithe is no ordinary parent, though. (Out of respect for the privacy of Blithe’s children, we are calling her by just her first name.) Six years ago, she heard what she calls a ‘wake-up call’ from God: “The cycle of violence and addiction in Glendale County needs to stop. Rang through me clear as bells.” In a county where 80% of children in foster care were born to drug-addicted mothers, Blithe’s realization wasn’t unusual. How she responded was. Through Arms of Love, a local foster and adoption placement service, Blithe began to foster a seven-year-old with severe behavioral and learning challenges. The boy was born to a woman addicted to methamphetamine and already lived in nine different foster homes. “What that child needed was a forever home. He needed someone to tell him that he was loved and that nothing he could do would change that.” Blithe adopted the boy. Blithe’s family eventually grew to include six children, all of them adopted through Arms of Love, born to drug-addicted mothers. With help from state-provided physical therapists and learning specialists, Blithe has helped her children overcome many of their challenges. Mary Clark, Blithe’s caseworker at Arms of Love, says, “There’s not a more dedicated and selfless parent in Glendale County.” Earlier this year, Mary was managing the case of a little boy a lot like Blithe’s first son. After his mother died of a drug overdose, the little boy spent five years moving from one foster home to the next. Mary convinced Blithe that she was his last, best chance. So Blithe’s family grew to seven. “Animals may leave their wounded babies behind, but that’s not how love moves. Every child is blessed,” she says. “If I can show them that, I will. That’s how love moves.” We honor Blithe’s commitment to her children and improving life in the City of Ransom and Glendale County. e, “Raising these little ones is me Blithn of just doing my part,” she says. erso
“P Year” the
2011–12 season
The Studio Series productions are designed to be learning experiences that complement classroom work, providing a medium for students at Yale School of Drama to combine their individual talents and energies toward the staging of collaboratively created works. Your attendance meaningfully completes that process.
rodeo
justin A. taylor directed by ethan heard by
part of the langston hughes festival of new plays
Thursday, november 10 AT 4PM Friday, november 11 AT 4PM and 8PM Saturday, november 12 AT 4PM ISEMAN THEATER 1156 CHAPEL STREET