In my day, people felt children should be seen and not heard. We now must listen to these children, we must see them, protect them and help them carve out a future with love and education. Arizona’s present and future health is dependent upon the safety, strength, and resiliency of the children and families.

MTaB’s assistance enables existing foster parents to remain in the system where they can encourage others to join in providing homes for Tucson’s at-risk youth. In 2014, MTaB served just five families. By the close of 2015, we served 225 families and at the close of 2019, over 900 families and 2,800 children received resources from MTaB.

The request for support is overwhelming and grows at 30-35 families per month. Since no money arrives with the child, foster parents must scramble to supply shoes and clothing for each child, plus diapers, cribs, strollers and car seats for infants, while older children require beds, dressers and school supplies. These children, removed from their homes by DCS authorities, have only a few minutes to gather up their favorite things. Usually their treasured items are placed into a black garbage bag. Not until they arrive at a foster home or relative’s home, do they receive clean clothes and a clean bed – even then it’s not always guaranteed. Nine hundred families know that they can call More Than a Bed to provide a bed and clothing to help that child finally feel valued.

Thank you for your physical, emotional, spiritual and financial help because we are not able to provide for these children without your help. The entire community shares the responsibility to keep children safe and protected from abuse and neglect.

“For I know the plans I have for you, declared the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future” (Jeremiah 29:11). Only by the Grace of God are we able to gather the love to make EVERY child be valued.