January 2024 Issue 70

National Hobby Month

Children need opportunities to express themselves and build self-esteem. Hobbies are an excellent way to do that! They can also be educational, by teaching them about the world around them or helping them set and achieve goals, solve problems, and make decision. They can also help determine what your child does later in life, as hobbies often turn into lifelong interests or careers. Provide your child with space for their hobby, and provide them with guidance, support, and encouragement. Teach them about perseverance even when things get tough and they want to quit; teach them personal responsibility and show them how to care for their tools and keep their work space clear. Hobbies can also help with developmental delays/deficiencies by having the child work on fine or gross motor skills, balance, counting, etc. Try consulting with your child’s service providers to see what hobbies they could try that may help enhance the areas where they struggle.

There is a plethora of hobbies that are great for children. As always, this is not an all-inclusive list. Check out your local community for resources. Arizona Friends of Foster Children Foundation may be able to help cover the cost of classes and supplies.

The programs through Free Arts are built using a trauma informed approach. Each program is constructed based on our program model ART + MENTORS = RESILIENCE and is led by trained staff, teaching artists, or volunteer mentors. Programs are evaluated on an ongoing basis to measure impact and ensure that children feel connected, creative, and cared for. Programs include a Weekly Mentor program, Professional Artist Series (focused art-making sessions designed to develop skills and self-efficacy, including painting, drawing, cooking, dancing, drumming, and beat-making), Camp Series, and more.

BICAS (Bicycle Inter-Community Art & Salvage) is a worker self-directed nonprofit 501(c)(3) bicycle center located just north of downtown Tucson. Relying largely on generous donations from our community, and responsible stewardship of those donations, BICAS is able to provide a variety of programs to learn how to fix a bicycle, earn a bicycle, create unique art from recycled materials, and provide programs specifically targeted towards youth. We believe in bicycles and other human-powered machines as essential vehicles for transportation justice, and we are always striving to make them more accessible to our community. Youth programs include Earn-a-Bike Classes (ages 9-13 and 13-18) and Youth Drop In (ages 8-18).

Childsplay’s mission is to create theatre so strikingly original in form, content or both that it instills in young people an enduring awe, love and respect for the medium, thus preserving imagination and wonder, those hallmarks of childhood that are the keys to the future. Their programs are extensive, including drama classes, Youth Ensemble Theatre, Inc., Young Playwrights for Change, Conservatory, Homeschool Classes, and more.

Phoenix Center for the Arts provides arts and culture opportunities for all through education, programming, and advocacy. The Center strives to be the premiere provider of arts and cultural experiences that improve, stimulate, and unite the communities we serve. The Center offers classes in art, music, theatre, writing, and dance classes for youth ages from ages 6 to 18.

Sunshine Craft Co prides itself on curating quality workshops for the creative crafter. Each student is able to learn a new skill during our workshop classes and put it into practice while receiving tips and tricks as they go. With our small workshop environment, each student will receive one-on-one attention and individual help. Each month our calendar of events changes to include a variety of macrame classes, painting experiences, community events, and visiting guest artists!

Arizona Science Center's CAMP INNOVATION will inspire and engage curious minds through STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) learning. Camps vary throughout the year and include hands–on activities connected to fun and exciting themes.

University of Arizona offers Youth & Family programming at UA Campus Recreation. Give your kiddos active, social and safe experiences at one of Campus Recreation's camps! Held throughout the year at our SouthRec facility and open to the Tucson and University communities, campers age 5 to 14 are provided a wide range of activities to help them learn and grow...and quite possibly, one day, become a future Wildcat.

Lowell Observatory will be holding camps throughout the year, including early learner camps for ages 3-6, elementary school camps for grades 1-6, and middle school camps for grades 7-9. The Astronomy Discovery Center is currently under construction, but be sure to keep an eye out for new discoveries in 2024!

Tempe Yarn & Fiber (TYF), a family owned and operated local yarn shop, is committed to providing you the best products and the tools needed to be successful. We firmly believe: "it's not just a yarn shop....it's a community!" Classes include knitting, crochet, and spinning. We even have a weekly knit night to build up the fiber arts community!

At Sewin’ Asylum, we believe that sewing gives individuals an opportunity to be creative, problem-solve, and learn new things. When a child learns a new skill, they express joy and confidence. In this world we live in, sewing creates an opportunity to recycle, be self-reliant, and be bold. Let your child experience his or her creativity while sewing clothing, crafts, or quilts. We provide them the experience to learn something new while encouraging a growth mind-set and utilizing math-skills.

Spilled Batter is dedicated to whisking up confidence, creativity, and collaboration in kids by teaching them lifelong skills in the kitchen. From cooking and baking basics, to more elaborate meal preparation, Spilled Batter is the go-to school in Scottsdale, Arizona for children ages 3-13 to attend single classes, birthday parties or other themed sessions, and seasonal camps.

Bach to Rock is a modern music school for future stars! Our music school offers programs for all genres, all ages, and all experience levels. From aspiring pop stars to budding songwriters, classical musicians, and more — we help kids, teens, and adults get excited about their favorite music. We do everything: private lessons, music camps, band programs, glee club, birthday parties, and even programs for kids under 7!

Located in downtown Phoenix, Curious Nature is a fine science and natural history emporium for all things fantastic and strange. From ethically sourced taxidermy, skulls, and bones, to exotic plants, collectibles, and gifts, our store offers an ever-changing assortment of oddities and museum quality specimens. Whether you're starting a new collection, or are a life-long enthusiast of all things unique, there’s something new for everyone to discover. After all, curiosity is eternal.

When school is out, camp is in at Engineering for Kids of Phoenix Metro! In addition to offering the most extensive list of STEM curriculum, we partner with the coolest kid-friendly venues so kids can enjoy physical activities and play during the day. We are Inspiring the Next Generation of Engineers, Makers and Creators. In our camps, students design, build, test and improve upon their projects while building the teamwork and collaboration skills needed to succeed in the 21st century. Kids are naturally curious about how things work and our programs give them an outlet to explore science, technology, engineering, and math in a hands-on way.

Phoenix Youth Circus Arts uses the fun and creative world of circus arts to teach skills that build the mind, body, and self-esteem in children and youth of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds. Through the learning and performing of individual and group circus acts, students develop healthy bodies, confident spirits, and valuable capacities for cooperation and trust in a challenging, but non-competitive environment.

At Mad Science, we believe that fostering a love for science, technology, engineering, and math at a young age will give children the confidence they need to excel in these fields. Our unique approach gives children a solid scientific foundation that goes beyond the classroom. Children engage in hands-on activities, watch spectacular demos, and take home an educational science toy every class.

Outschool offers over 140,000 interactive online classes to keep kids ages 3-18 engaged with thousands of classes and camps on the topics they're most passionate about!

YouTube has videos about just about any craft or subject imaginable! Check it out for tutorials and informational videos!

Your local Parks and Recreation is a fantastic resource for a variety of hobbies, from sports to the arts to practical skills. Phoenix // Tucson // Flagstaff

Kids Out and About provides a large listing of activities and programs by region. Check it out for plenty more opportunities that did not make this list!

Bonus points: Involve your kiddo's family members in the hobby! Invite them to classes or send supplies with the child for parenting time to share. Send completed projects as gifts for the parent's birthday or upcoming holidays. Ask the parents about their hobbies and ask them to share with the child during parenting time.

Azura Literacy Free Reading Program

Free Course: Navigating the Maze of Special Education

Mentor Program

Arizonans for Children have mentors available for kiddos between the ages of 5-18 with an open DCS case in Maricopa County. Children can be in any placement setting, including licensed, kinship, and congregate care. Children cannot have a current safety plan due to behavior, as volunteers are not professionally trained to manage that level of need. Anyone on the child's team can complete the application, as long as they have sufficient information on the child's case.

PAXIS Institute Training

Did you know...PAXIS Institute is partnering with AHCCCS to provide fully-funded trauma-informed evidence-based trainings to caregivers, human service professionals, and teachers across Arizona?

We are now also offering our school-based trainings specific to early childhood Educators and educators of adolescents! If your child fits into one of these groups, please consider forwarding these free training opportunities to their teachers and administrators:

Click below to register for an upcoming PAX Good Behavior Game Teacher training!

PAX GBG for Early Childhood Teachers

• January 20th 8am-3pm MST

PAX GBG for Adolescent Teachers

• January 27 8am-3pm MST

To register for a free PAX Caregiver Workshop, email info@paxis.org or visit www.paxarizona.org!

Foster Cooperative

Foster Cooperative is an open-sourced online community powered by Foster Arizona for anyone helping children and youth facing adversity to find connections, peer support, quality resources and training, community events, and innovative communication methods to be empowered with tools needed to succeed.

Boys & Girls Clubs - Free After School Programming

ASA Now

ASA Now is a non-profit organization that ADVOCATES for, SUPPORTS, and ASSISTS children and families impacted by foster care. We are passionate about providing support to families and professionals by restoring hope and empowering them to better serve these children in need.

Services we offer include tutoring & extracurricular activities, food pantry, clothing, and meeting basic necessities. Other services include life skills for youth, respite care, therapeutic programs, family activities, peer-to-peer support groups, education and training on utilizing Jacob's Law to obtain behavioral health services, providing resources to families and caregivers to successfully navigate the foster care system, raising awareness, recruiting new foster families, and advocating for families and their children.

The Foster Alliance

The Foster Alliance provides essential needs for children in foster care in an effort to help every foster child feel safe and loved. Our programs provide beds, clothing, hygiene items, birthday packages, backpacks filled with school supplies, licensing safety items, foster footlockers, and more. Our services are open to kinship and foster families with a current Notice to Provider.

Arizona Association for Foster and Adoptive Parents

AZAFAP wants to support you and the children in your family (foster, kinship, adopted, biological). We are a non-profit, statewide organization that serves families who adopt children and provide foster and kinship care. Working in partnership with child welfare professionals and the community, our purpose is to support, educate, empower, and provide a unified voice for Arizona’s foster and adoptive families, with the goal of increasing the well-being and stability of Arizona’s most vulnerable children. AZAFAP’s programming is open to all foster, kinship, and adoptive families in Arizona. Basic membership is free and includes a subscription to our monthly newsletter with information and resources, our online support groups, and some of our training. Premier membership is available for an annual fee of $75 for two-parent families and a discounted rate of $50 for single-parent families. Premier members are eligible to participate in all program activities. Our programming includes Family Connections events like camps, picnics, and staycations, Family Support Services such as training, Children’s Basic Needs with new shoes, jackets, toys, bikes, and Community Awareness events. Join us today before the Family Camp registration opens! Visit www.azafap.org/membership for more information.

Sign up on our Event Calendar! If you aren’t a member yet, check out our free membership so you can sign up! Ever need adult conversation during the week? We also have weekly drop-in chats on the calendar on Tuesdays and Fridays!

Christian Family Care Training

Helen's Hope Chest

At Helen's Hope Chest, our mission is to engage the community to provide for the basic needs of children and teens in foster and kinship care. Helen's provides more than just clothes for kids in care. It is important that every youth who comes through our door feels a sense of confidence, acceptance, and dignity. Our boutique environment allows kids to choose their favorite items and feel like they are in a regular store, all at no cost to the foster/kinship family.

Families with a current foster or kinship placement are encouraged to call us at 480-969-5411 to schedule an appointment.

A Mighty Change of Heart

A Mighty Change of Heart provides FREE duffle bags to foster children with new, age-appropriate items inside: 2 outfits, shoes & socks, underwear, a book, diapers/wipes, hygiene items, and more. These bags have the children’s names embroidered on them and are something that they can call their very own. They have delivered over 3,500 bags across the state.

Please check out their website for more information: www.amchaz.com. If your family, business, church group, or school would be interested in holding a donation drive, please contact A Mighty Change of Heart. Items are always needed.

Aviva Children's Services - Tucson