Hope is the greatest gift for Arizona children in emergency shelters

Allison Hurtado

Submitted photo/Child Crisis Arizona

The children in our shelters are not defined by what they’ve lost but by the joy they are finding, piece by piece, thanks to community members who care.”

The holiday season is filled with traditions, laughter and the comfort of family. But for children in emergency shelters or group homes, it can look very different. They are not at home. They may be separated from loved ones. And yet, within this difficult reality, something truly beautiful can happen: the gift of hope.

Every year, we see children in shelter experiencing “firsts” that many of us take for granted. The first time they hang an ornament on a Christmas tree, receive a gift chosen just for them, or bake and decorate a cookie. The first time they join in a holiday meal surrounded not by fear, but by warmth and safety.

These moments of joy, big and small, are more than seasonal cheer; they’re stepping stones on the path to healing from years of trauma.

Rather than focusing on what a child might be missing during the holidays, Child Crisis Arizona focuses on the joy that can be found right now. Each child gets to take part in decorating the home and planning the holiday meal. On Christmas day they wake up to gifts, a full stocking, a warm meal. Some children are able to have visits with family and friends outside the home, and those connections are celebrated.

This magic doesn’t happen by chance. Generous volunteers work each year to collect toys, gift cards, decorations, and even to supply a fresh, home-cooked meal for the children.

“It takes a bit of commitment on our part, but it’s always worth it,” said Sasha Loving, a volunteer who provides a holiday meal to shelter each year. “It has looked really different over the years but it’s something we have always looked forward to as a family tradition. We just want them to know there are people who care. I’ve heard it takes two people being vulnerable to create a connection, but the kids are already vulnerable. They are already there.”

For more than a decade, children in our care have had the opportunity to visit Hunkapi, a farm that teaches to fear less and love more through animal interactions. They spend the day riding horses, visiting Santa, decorating cookies and experiencing, possibly for the first time, the wonder of the season.

These holiday firsts are made possible through the generosity of others. The toys collected in November become the gifts under the tree. The gift cards donated allow each teen the flexibility to get exactly what they want.

When you give, volunteer or support programs that bring holiday traditions to vulnerable children, you become part of these firsts. Your kindness shows children that the world can be gentle, that people do care and that they are worthy of joy. These aren’t fleeting moments; they are memories that help rebuild trust, resilience and hope for the future.

“Don’t be afraid,” Sasha said. “It’s a time of joy. These kids need you and they need connections. You always get more from it than the kids do.”

This holiday season, I invite Arizonans to look beyond the challenges and see the possibility. The children in our shelters are not defined by what they’ve lost but by the joy they are finding, piece by piece, thanks to community members who care.

Together, we can turn a season of uncertainty into one of love, laughter and healing, because every child deserves to feel the magic of the holidays, whether it’s the first time or just a new memory.

Alison Hurtado is grants manager at Child Crisis Arizona, a Mesa-based nonprofit that serves children throughout Maricopa County. Please submit comments at yourvalley.net/letters or email them to AzOpinions@iniusa.org. We are committed to publishing a wide variety of reader opinions, as long as they meet our Civility Guidelines.