Mesa United Way - AmeriCorps

In 2009, Arizona foster families experienced a 50% reduction in basic needs financial assistance as well as an influx of children in need of their care. Difficult financial conditions and the high cost of caring for children forced many families o foster few children or close their doors to new placements entirely. That's why mesa United Way started Helen's Hope chest, a welcoming shop-by-appointment storefront where foster youth come to pick out clothing, school supplies, and other basic needs free of cost. Our AmeriCorps members have been critical in every step of the process. From sorting through donations, helping foster children find their favorite Barbi t-shirt, to implementing our annual Christmas program, AmeriCorps members get our children the items the need and want.