We’re live today from an unbelievable new workspace called Kiln—33,000 square feet of awesomeness. Speaking of awesome, today, we learn about three resources serving the Valley.

We kick things off with Annette Sellers from A New Leaf, which is dedicated to helping end homelessness, domestic violence, poverty, and other community challenges in Arizona. We encourage you to visit their site to learn more.

Next, we welcome Shelby Pedersen with an “EN.” This local legend is the CEO of ICAN

ICAN is a free, family-centered youth service in the East Valley. It provides a full complement of programs proven effective in equipping youth to achieve personal and academic success by tackling substance abuse, gang involvement, and juvenile delinquency.

Specifically, 8 out of 10 young people in the areas we serve are living in extreme poverty. Four of those children will go to bed hungry at night, and eight will be using drugs or alcohol to cope with the harsh realities they face. Joining gangs becomes a more viable choice than graduating in the community we serve. This is not an option for ICAN. We exist to combat these issues and build strong futures for them and our community.

Finally, we sit with executive director Tracy Lenord-Warner from Ryan House today. Ryan House enriches the quality of life and creates cherished memories for children and their families, providing a much-needed break from 24/7 caregiving as they navigate life-limiting or end-of-life journeys.

Learn more and become a part of our Move the Needle Podcast HERE.

Follow along on our YouTube channels and Instagram platforms.

Learn more about Mathew Blades or Steve Petz.Video captured and edited by Max Muehlhausen.