What We Do

What We Do

Crisis Toy Distribution

What started out as Christmas distribution of toys has grown into a year round program. First responders to crisis situations can give a toy or a new book to a child in an emergency. Many times children only see first responders in disaster situations and with a simple gift of a toy the child sees the responders in a positive way. We also give toys out for Christmas to children who otherwise would not get a Christmas gift. Our organization is currently the largest toy distributor in Arizona and serves many areas of our state, both rural and urban. We have a distribution of 300,000 plus toys & gifts.

Christmas for the Working Poor & Homeless

Arizone Helping Hands has teamed up with restaurants, corporate sponsors, and other non-profits to provide a Christmas day feast, toys and a visit from a bilingual Santa. Buses pick up the families from shelters. Volunteers serve the food and distribute the gifts. The food is a very special meal. It is a real joy for volunteers to share their Christmas with the children and their families.

Weekend BackPack Program

During the regular school year there are federally funded programs that provide Title 1 schools with breakfast and lunch for disadvantaged children. For many of these children these are the only nutritional meals they receive. During the summer months this program does not operate in many schools, and children attending summer school often don't have food to eat during the day. A child who is hungry has difficulty learning. Since its inception, Arizona Helping Hands has helped feed over 4,000 meals to underprivileged children in this program. We also provide funds for enrichment activities to broaden the children's pleasure for learning and extending their exploration base. We also provide healthy snacks to Title 1 schools for AIMS testing days so the children get energy to do their very best on the exams

Healthcare

AHH presently provides eye exams and eyeglasses to underprivileged children in the state with partnerships with various national optical companies. Through this joint venture, mobile units move to schools and towns in urban and rural Arizona, and have conducted eye exams and prescribed and delivered glasses, at no charge, to hundreds of children who otherwise would never have received eye care. In 2008, we provided free eye exams and glasses to 762 school children. AHH has recently begun providing dental care to children, especially in outlying areas, and, with funding opportunities this program should expand.

Mentoring Program

AHH works with first time non-violent, non-sex offenders who have committed a criminal violation in the Maricopa County court system, in hopes of keeping them in our "First Offender Program" or commonly called Diversion Program. We mentor the offenders and work with them and their families to guide them with legal alternatives in meeting their many challenges in life. The offenders are required to complete community work service hours with AHH or any other non-profit agency of their choosing to better serve the community. AHH helps to direct offenders in completing court ordered activities.

Summer Youth Camp

Since 2003 AHH teamed up with the local Arizona Knights of Columbus and helped send disadvantaged Kids At Hope™, who could not find the money to attend, a weeklong camp at Mormon Lake, in Pine Forest in the outskirts of Flagstaff, Arizona. The exciting week includes fishing, horseback riding, crafts and kayaking activities with some new friends & nature hikes, environment activities & games. The campers learn outdoor living skills with overnight camping along with campfire cooking. In the summer of 2008, AHH assisted in sending twenty-five (25) children to this wonderful discovery and adventure camp. Many times the Kids At Hope™ need the supplies required for camp be provided to them. AHH provides such items as: shoes, necessary camp clothing, sleeping bags, jackets, towels, underclothes, flashlight, toiletries, rainwear, camera and film, backpack and water gear.

Building Community

AHH works with numerous community and non-profit organizations with similar missions and goals. By working together, all organizations functioning within the same community can deliver a broader range of assistance to those persons in need or "at hope." At AHH we help one child, one family at a time and we do this by working with such groups as: Arizona Knights of Columbus, City of Phoenix, Boys & Girls Club of Northeast Phoenix, St. Vincent de Paul, Habitat for Humanity, Shoebox Ministry, local firefighters and police officers, hospitals, Chrysalis Shelters, Child Protective Services, homeless shelters, schools and school districts, churches, food banks and local businesses.