Child Crisis Arizona’s annual Lunch for Love fundraising event brought in $850,000 in just one hour leading to the expansion of its programs statewide.

Nearly 400 guests gathered Tuesday, Oct. 31 at the Arizona Biltmore Resort.

“Lunch for Love provides an opportunity for Child Crisis Arizona’s board members and major donors to invite friends and colleagues to learn more about the organization’s mission and vision and hear stories about the impact the agency’s prevention, intervention and education programs have on children, families, and the community,” Child Crisis Arizona CEO Torrie A. Taj shared in a press release.

Child Crisis Arizona, whose office and preschool is located at 2334 E. Polk St., in Phoenix, also announced that it has now partnered with Arizona’s early childhood agency, First Things First. The partnership will provide resources for every baby born in Arizona by delivering free parent kits to hospitals and birthing centers.

The 38,000-square-foot Child Crisis Arizona Center for Child & Family Wellness is currently under construction.

“I stand here as a living testament to the impact that Child Crisis Arizona and other organizations like it are having on not only the children and families we serve, but on generations to come,” said Child Crisis Arizona board member Trevor Wilde, who shared his own personal adoption story, and was named by Barron’s to its annual list of top 1,200 advisors nationwide and No. 1 overall in Arizona.

According to Child Crisis Arizona CEO Torrie A. Taj, there are nearly 10,000 Arizona children and teens in foster care and only 3,000 licensed foster families.

“We are committed to preparing individuals of all backgrounds for the opportunity to become loving parents who understand the value of creating safe and nurturing environments for children in their care,” Taj stated. “In addition to this, Child Crisis Arizona provided over 54,363 nights of safety to children this past year through its Emergency Children’s Placement programs.”

Child Crisis Arizona’s 47th annual gala is set for Saturday, March 9, 2024, at the JW Marriot Scottsdale Camelback Inn Resort & Spa.

Visit www.childcrisisaz.org.