COVID Christmas, Durango Juvenile Detention
Donation protected
Dear friends and family,
This fall I had the privilege to work on a project that made a lasting impression on me.
The project was an assessment of behavioral health needs of Arizona youth involved in the juvenile justice system. Part of the project plan proposed holding focus groups with these youth to hear their perspective, but of course COVID-19 threatened our ability to meet with the youth housed there. However, the amazing staff from Maricopa County Juvenile Detention stepped up and found a way for me and my colleague to spend an entire Sunday at Durango so that we could conduct four focus groups - two male and two female groups.
Like everywhere else, this pandemic has greatly altered "normal" activities in the detention facility, where movement has been restricted. Normally, the youth would move throughout the facility for meals, classroom time, exercise etc. Now they they are separated into "pods" and must stay in the same area for most of the day to reduce the risk of transmitting the virus to other youth and staff.
There is a lot I could say about the challenges facing these young people, but that is for another time. What bothered me and continues to eat at me is the limited interaction they have with their families. In fact, it bothered me so much that I asked staff what they planned for the holidays. And, as I suspected, a lockdown means that families and loved ones cannot visit the youth inside the facility. The only contact the youth will have is a phone call or, for families with internet service, a Zoom call.
The staff will do everything they can to fill the gaps. They will bring in a holiday dinner and are looking for community supporters to donate small items. But despite their best efforts, the fact remains there are 130 youth--children really-- inside who will spend the holidays alone.
It’s taken me awhile to get this together, but I am hoping that you will help me with my goal to bring a little bit of Christmas cheer to these kids.
I spoke with the detention center leadership and asked what types of things the kids like and are permitted to have. The list is surprising simple, but there are 130 kids so the cost is not inconsequential!
This year has really driven home the fact I am not in need of anything compared to so many others in our country, and I don't need anything else for myself. So, my request is that if you have been looking to get me something to get me for my birthday or Christmas, take what you would have spent on me and spend it here. Or, if you have been looking for a way to make an immediate impact, I can guarantee you that there is a kid right now sitting down on Durango Ave. who will benefit from your kindness immediately.
If you would help me show them that complete strangers still care and want to help them, I would be most appreciative.
Here are the things I’d like to get, and any extra funds above the goal will go to buy more books than originally planned:
Chips
Hygiene
Learning
Thank you all for your kindness. I promise to (within the privacy rules) provide updates on how our gifts are received by the youth!
Sincerely,
Helena
This fall I had the privilege to work on a project that made a lasting impression on me.
The project was an assessment of behavioral health needs of Arizona youth involved in the juvenile justice system. Part of the project plan proposed holding focus groups with these youth to hear their perspective, but of course COVID-19 threatened our ability to meet with the youth housed there. However, the amazing staff from Maricopa County Juvenile Detention stepped up and found a way for me and my colleague to spend an entire Sunday at Durango so that we could conduct four focus groups - two male and two female groups.
Like everywhere else, this pandemic has greatly altered "normal" activities in the detention facility, where movement has been restricted. Normally, the youth would move throughout the facility for meals, classroom time, exercise etc. Now they they are separated into "pods" and must stay in the same area for most of the day to reduce the risk of transmitting the virus to other youth and staff.
There is a lot I could say about the challenges facing these young people, but that is for another time. What bothered me and continues to eat at me is the limited interaction they have with their families. In fact, it bothered me so much that I asked staff what they planned for the holidays. And, as I suspected, a lockdown means that families and loved ones cannot visit the youth inside the facility. The only contact the youth will have is a phone call or, for families with internet service, a Zoom call.
The staff will do everything they can to fill the gaps. They will bring in a holiday dinner and are looking for community supporters to donate small items. But despite their best efforts, the fact remains there are 130 youth--children really-- inside who will spend the holidays alone.
It’s taken me awhile to get this together, but I am hoping that you will help me with my goal to bring a little bit of Christmas cheer to these kids.
I spoke with the detention center leadership and asked what types of things the kids like and are permitted to have. The list is surprising simple, but there are 130 kids so the cost is not inconsequential!
This year has really driven home the fact I am not in need of anything compared to so many others in our country, and I don't need anything else for myself. So, my request is that if you have been looking to get me something to get me for my birthday or Christmas, take what you would have spent on me and spend it here. Or, if you have been looking for a way to make an immediate impact, I can guarantee you that there is a kid right now sitting down on Durango Ave. who will benefit from your kindness immediately.
If you would help me show them that complete strangers still care and want to help them, I would be most appreciative.
Here are the things I’d like to get, and any extra funds above the goal will go to buy more books than originally planned:
Chips
Hygiene
Learning
Thank you all for your kindness. I promise to (within the privacy rules) provide updates on how our gifts are received by the youth!
Sincerely,
Helena
Organizer
Helena Whitney
Organizer
Phoenix, AZ