Neighbors | Phoenix Independent

Meet Owen – Fun loving teen ready for adventure with adoptive family

Owen’s goofy, fun-loving personality immediately grabs anyone he meets. The 14-year-old enjoys talking with everyone about just about anything. more

By Josie Gaieck – Aid to the Adoption of Special Kids | 4/25/24

Phoenix-based Feeding Matters approved for $240K to launch consortium

Feeding Matters, a Phoenix-based nonprofit that is the first organization in the world serving kids with pediatric feeding disorder, has secured funding for the launch of the Family Centered Pediatric Feeding Disorder Research Consortium. more

Special to Independent Newsmedia | 2/29/24

Earlier in April, a staff member from Congresswoman Debbie Lesko's Office, Ashley Paxton, came to the Louis & Elizabeth Sands Branch in Glendale to give its Youth of the Year representative, Miley H., a congressional recognition. While at the club, Ashley spoke to the teens about career readiness and her work in a congressional district office.

HGV lends hand at Glendale Boys & Girls Club

Hilton Grand Vacations is partnering with Boys & Girls Clubs of the Valley to facilitate a workforce panel focused on sharing career advice with youth at the local club. This event will be … more

Courtesy Hilton Grand Vacations | 4/23/24

Phoenix native hall of fame boxer Michael Carbajal, in backwards black cap, poses with Phoenix City Councilmember Laura Pastor, center, and other supporters after Phoenix City Council unanimously renamed a street in Carbajal’s honor last week. (Courtesy Laura Pastor)

Ring recognition: Phoenix renames street in honor of boxer Michael Carbajal

Francisco Montoya said she was there when Phoenix-native Michael Carbajal, a five-time world champion, was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in New York in 2006. “That … more

By Mark Carlisle
Mail | X: @mwcarlisle | 3/26/24

Phoenix native serving with Navy in South China Sea

Sonar Technician 2nd Class Michelle Venegas Hernandez, from Phoenix, completes a first-responder report for a simulated casualty aboard the Independence-variant littoral combat ship USS Mobile. more

Special to Independent Newsmedia | 4/4/24

Paul Lewis, right, of Ahwatukee, served in the Army, and Wayne Vandever, of Surprise, is an Air Force veteran.

Valley veterans reminisce, get hero’s sendoff on flight to D.C.

Tucked into a gathering room in a corner of Terminal 4 at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport are a bunch of men and women wearing gold shirts. more

By Steve Stockmar
Mail |
X: @stevestockmar | 4/17/24

Destiny Martinez of Chandler holds her son, Ollie, in this recent photo. Ollie has a form of leukemia that requires an expensive search for a bone marrow donor match as well as a procedure.

Chandler mom seeks funds, donor match for toddler with leukemia

Destiny Martinez isn’t at home in Chandler much these days. She spends most of her time at an area hospital, where her son, Ollie, spends most of his days as a leukemia patient in need … more

By Jason W. Brooks
Mail | X: @JasonWBrooks2 | 4/20/24

Glendale resident Tera Johnson paints the nails of a senior resident at Diamondback Health and Memory Care in West Phoenix. Johnson is a senior living advisor from Assisted Living Locators Phoenix.

Glendale resident lifts spirits by painting seniors' nails

April is National Volunteer Month and Tera Johnson, a Glendale resident and a senior living advisor from Assisted Living Locators Phoenix, is making an impact in the lives of seniors through her … more

By Rhonda Grundemann For Independent Newsmedia | 4/11/24

Meet Kasumy – Creative soul ready for adoptive family

Fifteen-year-old Kasumy describes herself as quiet but says she’s open to new adventures and enjoys expressing herself creatively. more

By Josie Gaieck – Aid to the Adoption of Special Kids | 3/23/24

Professional golfer Matt McCarty. (Courtesy Evolve Public Relations & Marketing)

Scottsdale native golfer Matt McCarty pledges donation to Cancer Support Community Arizona

Pro golfer Matt McCarty, a Scottsdale resident and native, on the road to getting his PGA tour card has announced his support to the local nonprofit, Cancer Support Community Arizona. As part of his … more

3/16/24

Meet Christopher – Artsy teen looks to create with adoptive family

Christopher is an artsy teen who dreams of one day selling his paintings and drawings at art shows. His walls are covered in his work and he enjoys sharing his creations with others. more

By Josie Gaieck – Aid to the Adoption of Special Kids | 4/11/24

St. Joseph the Worker hosts Hike for Hope in Fountain Hills

Phoenix nonprofit St. Joseph the Worker will host its 26th Annual Hike for Hope 7:30-11 a.m. on Saturday, April 6 at McDowell Mountain Regional Park’s Pemberton Trailhead at 16300 McDowell … more

3/21/24