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Dear AZYP community, We are heartbroken. In the midst of a global pandemic that has resulted in the death of many individuals and economic destruction, we are confronted with events making us face the inequality and injustice that we know exists in our society. We acknowledge those who have faced these firsthand, those who are our staff, our participants, and those in the communities we serve. AZYP stands firm in our opposition to racism, hatred, violence, and discrimination. We are proud to serve diverse communities in 14 counties across Arizona. Everything we do is in partnership with feedback and input from our communities and participants. We’re listening, and we will keep working for change as we fulfill our mission to empower youth to become healthy adults who can contribute to their own communities in positive ways. With so many others in our nation and alongside our local partners and communities, we will do what it takes to do better. Warm Regards, Lori Malangone CEO, Arizona Youth Partnership

AZYP Community Initiatives Leader Mary Anne Fout shared this article from one of our community partners today, Prevent Child Abuse Arizona. During these times, the right words can be hard to find as we talk to our children. We hope this article is helpful to you as well.

As the COVID 19 Pandemic stretched into the summer months, not knowing what the future would bring, our youth educators began to plan a virtual Summer Leadership Institute. In prior years, our Sahuarita camps are completely full with a waiting list of youth ages 12-18 participating in team building and leadership activities. This year, our creative team was able to put together a week-long virtual camp. On the Saturday prior to camp beginning, the facilitators delivered all of the materials for the upcoming weeks activities to the students homes. The students completed 25 lessons from Real Essentials, a healthy relationship curriculum. Additional activities included a virtual paint day with an art teacher, a Power of Youth presentation from MADD, and a guest speaker gave a story of recovery from substance abuse. 17 youth completed the program by attending every day and upon completion they all received an AZYP backpack and a Walmart Gift card. Our Youth Educators are continuing to develop new ways of doing our programming virtually. We currently have Loving My Future, Wyman TOP Club, and a virtual version of our Stronger Families Project is coming soon!

As the school year begins remotely this August, parents/caregivers are looking back at the spring and wondering how they are going to fulfil their responsibilities and also act as their child’s remote teacher. Experts around the globe are calling out the risks of this parental stress on children, and at Arizona Youth Partnership that social isolation, family and parental stress cause risk factors that can have poor outcomes on children. We work to prevent risk factors by building protective factors. Here are five ways you can build protective factors in your family during these tough times: Acknowledge your stress: Identify and accept that this is a stressful time and a stressful time for your children. Help them acknowledge it and have open, honest conversations about it. Set a new routine: This pandemic has blown up most of our daily routines. Set up new ones and try to stick to them so that your kids know what to expect every day. Make a schedule for school, and breaks. Strengthen your family relationships: Take time to have a family dinner or go for a walk or bike ride. Talk about your day and what’s going on. You can even sign up for a virtual family strengthening program that provides fun, facilitator guided family activities through Zoom and a gift card to order in dinner. Click here to see when the next session begins Strengthen relationships with others in YOUR community: Don’t do it alone. Reach out, text a friend, Facetime or call. Just because we’re all social distancing, doesn’t mean we have to live in isolation! An unexpected call or text might even be just what someone else needs. Reach out for support: there are many organizations providing a variety of services to address housing, economic support, nutrition, substance abuse, and healthcare. We’ll get through this taking it one day at a time. Contact us at Arizona Youth Partnership to find out ways can support your family or community. Locate the office nearest you here

AZYP is proud to continue providing Mental Health Awareness Training throughout Pima County with a grant from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). This funding allows us to provide Youth Mental Health First Aid training – at no charge – to agencies, faith communities, parent and community groups anywhere in the county. Over 400 participants from Ajo to Catalina and Sahuarita to the Tohono O’Odham Nation have been certified at Youth Mental Health First-Aiders! Youth Mental Health First Aid teaches adults in direct contact with youth (particularly adolescents) to recognize the signs and symptoms of the most common mental challenges, illness and crisis situations. Participants are provided with a 5-step model to assess and assist the youth to refer them to the proper services. We are thrilled to announce a virtual delivery of this program which includes a 2 hour self-paced component and a 5 hour live virtual presentation. Additionally, AZYP is partnering with Interfaith Community Services (ICS) whose staff is providing Mental Health First Aid for Adults. This training uses the same model as YMHFA, but applies it to adults with mental health issues. It is also available virtually.

January 11 is Human Trafficking Awareness Day. Thanks to the AZYP team members coming together dressed in Blue to support the work of the Mohave County Domestic Violence/Human Trafficking Coalition. Check out their Facebook HERE! If you are aware of someone that is a victim of Human trafficking, please call the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888.

Nationally, 1 in 10 teens will experience dating violence. AZYP is working to bring awareness to this issue by hosting events and sharing resources throughout the month of February. Click on the calendar below to download your own calendar of events!

The stress of the pandemic has created anxiety for many, here’s a great article on some tips for helping teens get the best sleep. Teens and the Impact of Sleep on Mental Health | Slumber Yard Nearly everyone has experienced insomnia, or the inability to sleep at some point. Occasionally, transient insomnia lasts for a night or two and may be caused by such factors as stress or changes in sleeping habits. But chronic insomnia can last for months or even years and can have a profound impact on daily life. Read the article here>

In 2021 AZYP sadly lost two staffers who embodied the values of Arizona Youth Partnership of strong families, empowered youth, healthy communities. Together they gave more than 30 years to making Arizona a better place for families. James Myers, IT Director James Myers started with AZYP in 2005 as a Healthy Relationship Educator. Already experienced working with youth and young adults, James spent years teaching youth about decision making, setting boundaries, and still made the lessons fun. Most recently, he served as the AZYP IT Director. Connecting people and technology was his strength, and we are grateful for the 15 years he served the Arizona community through Arizona Youth Partnership. Mary Anne Fout, Community Initiatives Team Leader Mary Anne Fout began in Ajo, AZ with AZYP in 2004. First, as a parent volunteer and then as a staff member and moved to Marana in 2005. She coordinated afterschool programming, convened community coalition, and facilitated trainings. She served wherever she was needed. Mary Anne was a source of support and positivity wherever she went, with her wonderful smile and genuine concern for those around her. Mary Anne was a wonderful ambassador for Arizona Youth Partnership and her legacy of kindness will live on.

AZYP’s Copper Corridor Coalition had the pleasure to be part of Southern Arizona Nonprofits | Superheroes Impacting our Communities podcast. Darien Mathews speaks to Barbara McClure, the Executive Director of IMPACT of Southern Arizona, about AZYP’s work on drug prevention and programs available for AZ communities. Alongside Tiane Kennedy, from GAP Ministries, Darien shares the importance of strengthening families throughout the state. CLICK HERE to listen to the episode!

Arizona Youth Partnership has been awarded a first time grant to implement training to prevent sexual violence and educate youth on the dangers of dating violence. The funding from the Arizona Department of Health Services and the Bureau of Chronic Disease & Health Promotion will enable AZYP to target middle school youth and adults in Pima and Pinal County and will the team will also be doing training at the University of Arizona. For more information on this program, please contact us at azyp@azyp.org or go to our website at azyp.org.