Black Pen

01/29/2025

HOUSING – Pg. 24–25 Seeing yourself in another's shoes.

YUMA, Ariz. – American families are living with housing challenges. Many are estimated to be one paycheck away from being homeless or unsheltered. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, or HUD, identifies Arizona as having an estimated 14,737 homeless people in a 2024 report, with 50% of them presumed unsheltered according to data collected (Arcand, 2024). However, that estimate is based off the annual Point-in-Time Count, or PIT Count survey data, that is but a sample of regional data collected on a specific day and under specific criteria.

Reference.
1. Arcand, C. (2024, December 27). Number of Arizonans facing homelessness increases: report. The Center Square. https://www.thecentersquare.com/arizona/article_1e373a46-c48d-11ef-9f71-b30e0d1869d2.html

01/29/2025

HOUSING – Pg. 26–27 Key contributors to a successful effort.

How does HUD obtain the data? Much of the data is collected with the help of volunteers, concerned neighbors who get involved hoping to improve the circumstance of unsheltered. Some volunteers have family members who are presently experiencing homelessness or who are unsheltered. Others, like Sergio Valle, a Crossroads Mission outreach coordinator, have experienced hardships of being unsheltered first-hand and thus is motivated to bringing relief to at risk families in whatever way possible.

“All homeless people are someone’s son, someone’s daughter, someone’s child,” says Valle. He recalls his experiences as he drives his team of volunteers to a remote location in the county to find a family of two. He shares his past struggles before receiving life-changing assistance from the Crossroads Rescue Mission. “I asked myself [in the beginning] how can God use someone like me to be a messenger for them? I’m willing to do it; I’m all in.”

Words & photos by KWADWO / Nonprofit Media Production

01/29/2025

HOUSING – Pg. 28–29 It's estimated that 17% of Arizona's Homeless are unsheltered.

In Yuma County. The Yuma Coalition to End Homelessness is a primary coordinator of the annual PIT Count in Yuma County, scheduling a survey effort this year for 23, 24, and 27 January 2025. All who administer PIT Count interviews complete mandatory training with Salvation Army Lt. Amber Herzog at The Salvation Army Yuma building on 15, 18, and 21 January. Volunteers join coalition staff in preparing 200 backpacks containing limited food, drink, and personal items such as socks, hats, blankets, and other items from donors Jan. 18, to be given to unsheltered persons who participate in the survey.

Making a difference. PIT Count data feeds into the HUD report for 2025. Information also informs local governments and enables funding opportunities for organizations that focus on assisting the unsheltered in Yuma County. This year’s effort records new data from Dateland, Arizona, thanks to the help of many volunteers.

Interested in volunteering? The Yuma Coalition to End Homelessness, with more than 20 government, nonprofit, and resident representatives, meets bi-monthly, 9 a.m., at Yuma City Hall, One City Plaza, Yuma, Arizona, to collaborate efforts to fight homelessness and situations of unsheltered families.

Words & photos by KWADWO / Nonprofit Media Production

01/29/2025

EDUCATION – It's important to listen to all sides of any argument, as commonly there is some truth in all opposing opinions. This op-ed is interesting. Listening allows for collaborative opportunities where overlap exist and possibility to strengthen relationship for the benefit of Yuma County students, educators, and education programs.

If you’re a parent, you know the game. Kids will repeat something over and over again hoping you’ll eventually believe it. It may work at home, but it doesn’t work

01/28/2025

EDUCATION – Mark your calendar. Learn more to help more.

01/28/2025

EDUCATION – This may be a good resource for parents seeking to gain more knowledge to assist a child.

Join me every 4th Friday, right here on the page.

01/25/2025

HOUSING – Yuma County Point-in-Time Count survey.

YUMA, Ariz. – A dog, a companion of an unsheltered family, provides friendship and some protection in the form of advance warning of visitors at a makeshift shelter at a remote location within Yuma County on Jan. 24, 2025. Volunteers from across the county work in coordination with the Yuma Coalition to End Homelessness staff to conduct annual Point-in-Time County survey on 23, 24, and 27 January 2025.

Teams travel the expanse of Yuma County to find and complete PIT Count interviews with unsheltered persons willing to participate in the survey. Data collected supports a national effort to provide the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development with a snapshot of the unsheltered population. The information is also used to enable Yuma County to obtain valuable funding to assist the unsheltered.

Photo by KWADWO / Nonprofit Media Production

01/25/2025

HOUSING – Yuma County Point-in-Time Count survey.

YUMA, Ariz. – A team of volunteers, at far right and far left, conduct a Point-in-Time County survey with an unsheltered family of two living in a remote location within Yuma County on Jan. 24, 2025. Volunteers work in coordination with Yuma Coalition to End Homelessness staff and travel the expanse of the county to conduct annual PIT County interviews with unsheltered persons who are willing to provide information on 23, 24, and 27 January 2025.

Data collected from this national effort provides the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development a snapshot of the unsheltered population. The information is also used to enable Yuma County to obtain valuable funding to assist the unsheltered.

Photo by KWADWO / Nonprofit Media Production

01/25/2025

HOUSING – Yuma County Point-in-Time Count survey.

YUMA, Ariz. – Salvation Army Lt. Amber Herzog and Lucia Wilson, of ACHIEVE Human Services, keep track of trained teams of volunteers who are traveling the expanse of Yuma County to conduct annual Point-in-Time Count survey interviews with unsheltered persons willing to be interviewed on Jan. 24, 2025. Volunteers must report into the Salvation Army Yuma facility, 445 S 4th Ave., before departing and upon their return from working.

Volunteers from across the county work in coordination with the Yuma Coalition to End Homelessness staff to conduct annual PIT County survey on 23, 24, and 27 January 2025. Data collected supports a national effort to provide the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development with a snapshot of the unsheltered population. The information is also used to enable Yuma County to obtain valuable funding to assist the unsheltered

Photo by KWADWO / Nonprofit Media Production

01/21/2025

HISTORY & CULTURE – Martin Luther King Jr. Day celebration.

EL CENTRO, Calif. – Members of the Imperial Valley Social Justice Committee prepare to host Martin Luther King Jr. Day speakers at the steps of the Imperial County Court House after a ceremonial Freedom Walk concludes on Jan. 20, 2025. Event attendees listen to Dr. King’s famous speech “I Have a Dream” delivered Aug. 28, 1963, during the March on Washington, DC. Event speakers include master of ceremonies William Cooper, Becoming Project; John Cabrera, AmeriCorps; Martha Cardenas-Singh, District 2 Supervisor; Jeff Gonzalez, Assemblyman District 36; and keynote speaker Lupe Quintero, California Rural Legal Assistance.

Photo by KWADWO / Nonprofit Media Production

01/21/2025

HISTORY & CULTURE – Martin Luther King Jr. Day celebration.

EL CENTRO, Calif. – Local officials and residents of Imperial County lock arms together on the steps of the Imperial County Court House to symbolize a community with shared purpose after a ceremonial Freedom Walk and Martin Luther King Jr. Day presentations hosted by the Imperial Valley Social Justice Committee on Jan. 20, 2025. Event attendees listen to Dr. King’s famous speech “I Have a Dream” delivered Aug. 28, 1963, during the March on Washington, DC. Event speakers include master of ceremonies William Cooper, Becoming Project; John Cabrera, AmeriCorps; Martha Cardenas-Singh, District 2 Supervisor; Jeff Gonzalez, Assemblyman District 36; and keynote speaker Lupe Quintero, California Rural Legal Assistance.

Photo by KWADWO / Nonprofit Media Production

01/21/2025

HISTORY & CULTURE – Martin Luther King Jr. Day celebration.

EL CENTRO, Calif. – Residents from Imperial County converge at the Imperial County Court House after participating in a ceremonial Freedom Walk in memory of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. during a MLK Day celebration hosted by the Imperial Valley Social Justice Committee. Event attendees listen to Dr. King’s famous speech “I Have a Dream” delivered Aug. 28, 1963, during the March on Washington, DC. Event speakers include master of ceremonies William Cooper, Becoming Project; John Cabrera, AmeriCorps; Martha Cardenas-Singh, District 2 Supervisor; Jeff Gonzalez, Assemblyman District 36; and keynote speaker Lupe Quintero, California Rural Legal Assistance.

Photo by KWADWO / Nonprofit Media Production

01/20/2025

EDUCATION – Antelope Union High School District identified as 1 of 2 highest-risk districts.

The January 2025 Arizona Auditor General report for school district financial risk analysis identifies Antelope Union High School District as 1 of 2 highest-risk districts. This is the second year in a row. District No. 50 is cited for 6 of 10 categories evaluated (Arizona Auditor General, 2025):

- Budget limit reserve–Operating budget
- Financial position–General fund operating reserve ratio
- Financial position–General fund operating margin ratio
- Financial position–General fund change in fund balance
- Capital monies redirected to operations
- Receivership

For more information, see the report and the District action plan (Jan. 10, 2025) at the link: https://frisk.azauditor.gov/District/DistrictPage?ctd=140550

Source:

1. Arizona school district financial risk analysis—January 2025. (2025, January 17). Auditor General. https://www.azauditor.gov/arizona-school-district-financial-risk-analysis-january-2025

01/19/2025

EDUCATION – This year is anticipated to be charged with a number of hot-topic issues in Arizona. Education spending and performance will be among the top conversations.

Gov. Katie Hobbs’ budget proposal aims to reduce spending on private school vouchers — which her staff described as an “entitlement” for wealthy Arizonans.

01/19/2025

HOUSING – Volunteers Assemble Point-in-Time Count Backpacks.

YUMA, Ariz. – Volunteers from across Yuma County work together with Yuma Coalition to End Homelessness staff to assemble 200 backpacks, with basic personal items inside, for distribution during the annual Point-in-Time Count surveys taking place throughout the county on 23, 24 and 27 January. The contributions of volunteers and donating sponsors are vital to the success of this national effort.

Trained volunteers and staff will conduct PIT Count surveys to get a snapshot of the unsheltered. The data is collected on behalf of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and will enable Yuma County to receive valuable funding to assist the unsheltered.

Salvation Army Lt. Amber Herzog provides required Point-in-Time Count training to volunteers at The Salvation Army Yuma facility, 445 S 4th Ave. Next training opportunity is scheduled for Tuesday, 6 p.m. on Jan. 21, 2025. To sign up for training, contact Lt. Herzog at: [email protected]

Photo by KWADWO / Nonprofit Media Production

01/18/2025

HISTORY & CULTURE – Martin Luther King Jr. Day (Jan. 20, 2025)

01/17/2025

COMMUNITY FOCUS – Fostering Hope Yuma begins annual conference planning.

YUMA, Ariz. – Scott Little, associate pastor for Stone Ridge Church, leads a preliminary discussion to plan the third annual Fostering Hope Yuma Conference, Friday, Nov. 17, 2025, at the Arizona Department of Child Safety office. A collaborative team of volunteers from local nonprofits, government agencies, churches, and individuals work to prepare for the September event. The Fostering Hope Yuma Conference provides valued information and resources to help foster parents and kinships navigate requirements and challenges of the foster care system.

Photo by KWADWO / Nonprofit Media Production