DCS Says “THANK YOU” To Pima County for Helping Arizona's Most Vulnerable Children

TUCSON (Thursday, August 15, 2016) – In response to a generous outpouring of support for Pima County’s most vulnerable children and at risk families, the Arizona Department of Child Safety (DCS) held a thank you celebration in Tucson today.  The celebration honored outstanding organizations who have stepped forward to help meet the needs of the over 3,000 foster children in Pima County.

DCS recognizes the tremendous impact this community has in insuring a better tomorrow for Arizona’s foster children.  Government should not be in the business of raising children, and when selfless communities recognize the need to help find foster homes, forever families, and provide practical supports for caretakers of foster children, the end result is that children’s lives are changed forever. Every child deserves a home and a family that loves them.

Organizations such as the ones honored today are the every-day heroes that Arizona needs, because our children truly are our most precious resource. Pima County organizations exemplifying community service leadership that were honored today include:

Care Portal: Since beginning in late 2015, Care Portal has served more than 400 children in the Pima County area.  When foster families have trouble meeting a child’s need, Care Portal connects that family with local churches who help meet that need.  So far, the value of these contributions exceeds $60,000 and the assistance helps enable foster families to care for vulnerable and hurting children.

Pima Federal Credit Union: Customers at all of Pima Federal’s branches have seen photos and bios of adoptable kids since late 2015.  This outstanding community partner placed large video screens in every branch to increase the visibility of the Children’s Heart Gallery, highlighting photo profiles of children in foster care who are eligible for adoption. This partnership helps foster kids find forever homes.

eegee’s:  The iconic southern Arizona purveyor of one-of-a-kind eegee’s frozen drinks, terrific sandwiches and salads made the Johnjay and Rich Care for Kids Foundation the beneficiary of the eegee's annual Coupon Card Program.  Their mission is to help improve the quality of life for children living in the foster care system by offering comfort, hope and assistance.

Loew’s Ventana Canyon Resort: Not only is the Ventana Canyon Resort a premiere destination, its dedicated staff proved they have caring hearts by donating space for the Children’s Heart Gallery photo shoot.  This event creates opportunities for adoptable children to have their photo taken and placed on the Children’s Heart Gallery website with the goal of finding these children a forever home.

Lotus Radio Tucson: A great team of broadcasters joins a great community team by helping make more people aware of how to keep children safe, especially in the summer heat.  Lotus joined other broadcasters statewide airing public service announcements that remind people to “Double Check” and never leave a child in a car.  They produce these announcements for Spanish-speaking audiences.

Thoroughbred Nissan: Our generous friends at Thoroughbred Nissan have partnered with the Foster & Adoptive Council of Tucson for many years to host the Tucson Blue Ribbon event.  Food, games, rides and prizes are part of this annual celebration that bring attention to the great work being done in Pima County to raise awareness, develop support and promote advocacy for foster care and adoption.

Skyline Country Club:  This beautiful oasis for golf is also a great community partner that helps kids find forever homes.  Because of their generosity, the Children’s Heart Gallery has had another premiere venue to take photos of foster kids eligible for adoption, and shown once again, that teamwork is part of what makes Pima County great.

Pima County has a reputation for caring for its neighbors, and for generosity, seeing a need and meeting it.  The organizations honored today truly embody the generous spirit of Pima County.