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Serving Our Neighbors Safely: Understanding Arizona's Housing Crisis Lunch & Learn Series
Part One: July 21, 12 pm - 1:15 pm MST via Zoom
Part Two: July 28, 12 pm - 1:15 pm MST via Zoom
Across Arizona, rising housing costs, increasing rents, behavioral health challenges, substance use, and a growing number of people experiencing homelessness are placing new demands on faith communities and nonprofit organizations. Congregations and community
organizations increasingly find themselves responding to complex situations for which they often have little training or clear organizational policies.
Arizona Faith Network and the Safe Communities Coalition invite you to a two-part Lunch & Learn series designed to equip faith leaders, nonprofit professionals, volunteers, and community organizations with both the knowledge and practical tools needed to serve
neighbors experiencing housing insecurity with compassion, dignity, and wisdom.
Part One explores the realities driving Arizona's housing and homelessness crisis through data, lived experience, and frontline perspectives from organizations serving communities every day.
Part Two focuses on practical strategies for creating safe, welcoming, and sustainable ministries, including organizational policies, de-escalation, safety planning, referrals, and real-world scenarios that many congregations and nonprofits encounter.
Together, these sessions will help participants better understand the challenges facing Arizona communities while developing thoughtful approaches that balance hospitality, safety, accountability, and long-term sustainability.
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What it Takes to Heal: How Transforming Ourselves Can Change the World
Wednesdays from 6:30 to 8:00 pm MST via Zoom
July 22, 29, August 5, 12 and 19
Join us for our 5-week Summer Book Series on
What
it Takes to Heal: How Transforming Ourselves Can Change the World. We’ll be exploring multi-faith embodiment practices and rituals from local experts and through conversations and practices, this study will help us embrace the principles
of embodiment, understand the beliefs that inform them and how we move towards a future in which healing is done in community.
This book is an invitation to help us explore our bodies, minds, and souls so we can develop the interpersonal skills necessary to break down the doors of disconnection and take the necessary risks to reshape our world toward justice.
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Bags of Hope: Interfaith Heat Relief Bag Packing Events
Tucson Area:
Sunday, July 26, 3:00 – 4:30 PM
Prince Chapel AME Church
602 S Stone Ave, Tucson, AZ 85701
Join Arizona Faith Network for a powerful, hands-on service opportunity as we come together across communities to pack Heat Relief Bags for those most vulnerable to Arizona’s extreme summer temperatures. These interfaith events are open to all who want to help
protect lives and show compassion in action.
Each event will include community-building, light refreshments, and the chance to pack bags that will be distributed through AFN’s network of Heat Relief Sites and outreach partners.
How You Can Help:
🌟 Attend and share the event
🌟 Donate – You can give funds to support supplies by
clicking
here or bring items to one of the events (see RSVP form for a list)
🌟 Ship supplies – Buy and ship directly to us from our
Phoenix
Area Amazon Wish List, our
Tucson
Area Amazon Wish List or contact Katie.Sexton@azfaithnetwork.org for shipping details.
Make a tangible difference this summer. Help pack Bags of Hope and ensure no one is left in the heat. Please RSVP using the link below so that we can keep you updated via email.
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Back to School Supply Drive for Local Families
Community Distribution Event
Sunday, August 2, 1:00 - 2:30 pm
Trinity United Methodist Church
3104 W Glendale Ave, Phoenix, AZ 85051
Join Arizona Faith Network as we collect and distribute new school supplies for children and families served through the Family Heat Relief Center at Trinity United Methodist Church. Many of the families visiting our center are experiencing housing instability
or financial hardship, and your generosity can help students begin the school year with confidence and dignity. Donated items need to be at the church by Saturday, August 1.
Click/tap on the link below for details about what's needed and ways you can participate!
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Election Protection: Poll Chaplains & Peacekeepers Needed
Arizona Faith Network is recruiting volunteers to serve as Poll Chaplains and
Peacekeepers for both the primary and general election as part of our nonpartisan Election Protection program. These faith-rooted volunteers help create safe, welcoming, and peaceful voting environments where every eligible voter can participate with
dignity and respect.
No prior experience is required. Training and support are provided through partnerships with
Election Protection Arizona and Faiths United to Save Democracy. People of all faith traditions and people of goodwill are welcome. Training sessions via Zoom will be offered on multiple dates/times from June through October. See the registration
form below for additional details.
Join us in protecting democracy, promoting peaceful civic participation, and supporting our communities during the election season.
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AFN Monday Meditation
Mondays at noon MST via Zoom
Start your week with meditation led by Bandhu, AFN's Interfaith Manager, and guests.
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Lanterns for Peace: from Hiroshima to the World
Every year, on 6 and 9 August, we remember the victims of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. In an increasingly fragile world, where the nuclear threat has once again become a tangible reality, this commemoration is not only a moment of mourning,
but a genuine call to conscience.
The campaign “Lanterns for Peace: from Hiroshima to the World,” developed by
Pax
Christi International and the
Hiroshima
Coventry Club (Touro Project), is a global initiative marking the anniversary of one of the darkest chapters in human history. Inspired by the lantern ceremonies held each year in Hiroshima, the campaign invites communities around the world
to organize local commemorative events using traditional lanterns as symbols of remembrance, peace, hope, and nuclear disarmament.
If you wish to join the campaign, click/tap
here to fill out a form by July 20. Additional information about Lanterns for Peace is
available
here.
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Walk an Hour in a Worker’s Shoes: Arizona Workplace Heat Demonstration
Wednesday, August 12, 11:00 am - 12:00 pm
Arizona State Capitol - Wesley Bolin Plaza
1700 W. Washington St, Phoenix, AZ 85007
Witness what Arizona's workers face every day. Workplace heat protections can't wait! Free parking is available at and adjacent to the plaza on Jefferson St and Adams St. The event will start promptly at 11:00 am. Please RSVP at the link below
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Workshops on Diabetes Prevention and Management
St. Joseph’s Hospital and Medical Center invites Maricopa County community organizations to collaborate with us on a vital initiative! We're offering a FREE, six-week workshop series (1.5 hours weekly) on diabetes prevention and management, designed for adults
aged 18 and up.
Through our "Equity Heals: Addressing Chronic Kidney Disease" grant, St. Joseph's will provide expert, certified DEEP (Diabetes Empowerment and Education Program) peer educators to lead these workshops at your location, completely free of charge.
Looking for a shorter session? Our Peer Educators can also deliver an impactful 30-45 minute presentation on diabetes basics and its profound connection to chronic kidney disease, which tragically impacts Native American, African American, and Latino communities
at higher rates. Given that 1 in 3 adults is unknowingly at risk of kidney disease, your partnership can make a real difference. Let's empower our community with knowledge and change these statistics together!
If you are interested in learning more, please email Mayra Ramirez, Project Manager Community Health at Mayra.Ramirez903@commonspirit.org.
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Help Someone Get a Break on Their Utility Bill This Summer!
Did you know the Power AZ program is aimed at helping moderate-income individuals and families with energy bills? Many families are feeling the pressure of rising costs. Getting a little help with their electricity bill could relieve a lot of stress.
This summer, the state of Arizona has set aside funds to help those “not-so-low income” households by adding a credit to their electricity bill. BUT, they have to apply!
The DES portal will determine eligibility for both Power AZ and the Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP).
This program will end soon, so we need your help to get the word out. Share this with your faith community! (download
a flyer here). Funding is only available until Sept. 30.
Click/tap
here to apply at the DES Portal.
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Children's Action Alliance Position: Director of Child Welfare and Prevention Services
The director of Child Welfare and Prevention Services policy will work with policymakers,
public agency leadership, and community groups throughout the state to:
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Promote policies that support communities and families and prevent children from entering the child welfare and juvenile justice systems.
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When system involvement is needed, ensure the interventions provided reduce trauma, strengthen safety, and increase access to resources that support children and their families.
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Improve outcomes for children and families impacted by the child welfare and juvenile justice systems.
Full details and application information are
available
here.
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Please consider making a tax-deductible gift to AFN today! Your partnership makes our Arizona community thrive.
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