United Way of Northern Arizona Working WITH Youth FOR Youth in NE Arizona

From the desk of:

Liz Archuleta

President & CEO

It is very important to us that the work we are doing with youth is informed by and grounded in local youth voices and perspectives. UWNA is very proud to be stepping up for youth, with youth.

At this point the students are deciding how they will gather data, which could involve surveys, one-on-one interviews, focus groups, and possibly a Town Hall, Kendle said. The six-week internships will be completed by mid-November, at which time the students will create a report with their findings. In addition to sharing the results with UWNA, it is hoped they will also be able to present their findings to officials in Navajo County.

An important part of the internship is not only what the students will be providing to officials and nonprofits, but also what they are getting out of the experience, Kendle said. Throughout the program, students focus on skills that will increase their employability once they graduate from school, including communication, teamwork, networking, problem solving, and critical thinking.

In addition to being the co-chairs of this year’s annual campaign, Dan is the Chief of Police in Flagstaff and Kim is the Director of Health and Human Services for Coconino County. Their positions give them a unique understanding of the challenges facing our youth in northern Arizona.

Those challenges were exacerbated by COVID-19, Kim said during a “fireside chat” that we had with the couple during our campaign kickoff last month. For example, she said, several childcare centers closed during the pandemic and “we are continuing to experience a severe shortage of licensed providers to care for our kids.”

Meanwhile, older youth need more robust support services at a time when teens are facing unprecedented mental wellness challenges, which also impacts families, according to Dan.

“What I’m hearing from my officers is that both parents and youth need additional support and resources,” he said.

One way you can Step Up for Our Youth and Our Communities is by making a donation today to the United Way of Northern Arizona’s annual campaign.

United Way of Northern Arizona brings people together to address the big issues to create environments where everyone can thrive. We have our finger on the pulse of what is happening in northern Arizona, meaning we can respond quickly as issues and opportunities arise.

We bundle the donations we receive and invest them in proven local programs, so your money stays local and impacts youth and families in your community.

Please join us in living United in Purpose, and make your donation through your workplace campaign or by clicking on the button below. Thank you!