Pua's Journey of Wholeness Pua bounced between foster homes and residential treatment centers throughout his teenage years. Despite these challenges, he still graduated high school and dreamed of becoming a paramedic or a cook. Pua tried to make a life for himself. He moved to Arizona and started working in food services, where he was introduced to marijuana and quickly became addicted. Still, he did well at work, and when he was 22, he met and married his first wife. Though their marriage wasn’t perfect, he did his best to be a good husband, not making the same mistakes as his father. However, in the end, he only had a short time with her. After just two years of marriage, his wife passed away from hemolytic anemia on May 7th, 2013.

CELEBRATING 5 YEARS OF FREEDOM Five years ago this June, we took a leap of faith and opened the new H.S. Lopez Family Foundation Center of Opportunity. Today, we join hands with over 60 organizations and volunteer service groups to provide holistic care for our neighbors experiencing homelessness. As we reflect on these transformative years, we celebrate the stories of all of those who we’ve served and highlight three women whose lives have been changed by their journey with us.

For years, we’ve watched people complete our Recovery Program and then struggle in their new season of life. Though they’ve received the tools to continue living a sober life, some can feel isolated, alone, and scared.

Our biggest outreach of the year will be here soon. For more than three decades, our annual Thanksgiving outreach has been a beacon of hope in our community. Especially when the world is increasingly filled with uncertainties, it’s essential to extend our hands toward those in need, treating everyone like a member of our family—a guest at our table.

This summer has been brutal and dangerous for those caught in the heat. Last month, Tucsonans suffered through 13 days of 110-plus-degree temperatures, breaking records with little relief. Tucson also had one of the latest monsoon storms in recent memory. It didn’t rain until July 17th, 32 days into the season. Yet, much like typical monsoon storms, the dark clouds rolled in swiftly, and the sudden and violent rains caused property damage, blackouts due to downed power lines, stranded motorists, and life-threatening flooding, especially for those experiencing homelessness. (more…)

I NEVER thought I would work with kids, so I am constantly surprised by that… but it’s just a testament to how much God has changed me.” Marissa has her own experiences with addiction, and she empathizes with the emotional struggles of our youngest guests. She understands what the parents are going through in this challenging season of their lives. Because of this, she can walk alongside those parents going through recovery, coaching them in the Nurtured Heart Approach® (NHA) that all of the Children Services Advocates use in the classroom. (more…)