Did you know that over 150 million people worldwide are homeless? In addition to this somber fact, according to the United Nations, up to 1.6 billion people also have inadequate housing. Not only is this a growing problem, but many of these people lack bedding, appropriate clothes for the seasons and need more food. However, many organizations are working to help alleviate this ongoing issue.
Have you ever wondered what Phoenix is doing to conserve water, or to reduce food waste? Did you know that Phoenix has more solar on city buildings than any other city in the country? I discovered the answers to those questions when I interviewed Phoenix mayor Kate Gallego.
In March of this year, four firefighters from the Tempe Fire Department, Station 2 came to visit us at our day program. They showed us their fire truck and all of their gear.
I had the chance to interview one of them. Firefighter Tony said they prioritize their career, family and friends by helping family first. He said that the fire department’s primary role is protecting the city. He said that it is their responsibility when there isn’t an emergency is to make sure the city is safe. He said his favorite part of being a firefighter is helping people.
It was a cloudy, rainy day when my family and I visited the new Children’s Museum at Tohono Chul. Luckily, the pauses in rain allowed us to follow the small bug signs easily through the gardens. I didn’t realize that the museum would be at the end of the gardens, but they were so beautiful to walk through, especially with all the rain, it didn’t seem far.
Imagine being a child in another country, coming to America with a dream. Dr. Lupita Hightower, Superintendent for the Tolleson Elementary School District had a dream.
As a child, Hightower knew since kindergarten that she wanted to be in education. When she was younger she used to teach her cousins, siblings and the neighborhood kids.
I interviewed Walter Ram, a veteran of the U.S Army Air Corps in World War II and a recipient of the Purple Heart. Ram spent part of the war as a POW (prisoner of war) in the infamous Nazi prison camp, Stalag 17.
I’ve always thought it would be fun to have a hot cocoa stand, and this fall I was finally able to run one down at my neighborhood park! It was really fun setting everything up. I got to meet new people, make hot chocolate with different toppings, and serve homemade apple pie.
In 2019, the city of Tucson recorded a grand amount of 2500 tons of plastic reaching the local landfill daily and 720,000 tons of plastic reaching the landfill yearly. Plastic has become one of the most prominent and popular materials used in almost every industry from packaging to electronics—to the point where it is almost impossible to walk out of a local grocery store without buying at least one product containing plastic in or on it. Although plastic can be useful, it is very harmful.
Do you like Halloween and need a way to celebrate? Then go to the Glowing Pumpkins event where you will see hundreds of handcrafted pumpkins ablaze in the moonlight.
Have you ever been to the Heard Museum? There are thousands of items on display there.
Marcus Monenerkit, Director of Community Engagement for the Heard Museum, had an interest in different cultures and diversity. “My dad traveled a lot and sent us postcards. When I got older, I still had the love. My father was a Comanche and my mother kept me connected with my father’s side. My grandmother spoke fluent Comanche.” Monenerkit started working at the Heard Museum in 1998.
