Call
520-428-5280

Email
info@morethanabed.org

Wed | Thur | Fri | 1st & 3rd Sat
8:30am -1:30 pm

Closed December 21st through January 1st for the holidays!

More Than a Bed's Enrichment Center

Taking the next step in our mission to help every child feel valued.

More Than a Bed has been providing essentials- like beds, clothes, toys, diapers, and more- to children in foster, kinship, and adoptive care since 2014. These items have helped create the foundation of stability, safety, and security for the children we serve. But it’s just the beginning.

Because of the trauma children in foster care have experienced, they often face more educational and social challenges than their peers and require additional support to thrive in life. The statistics for youth in foster care are staggering: 

But there’s good news!

Studies reveal a positive correlation between extra-curricular activities and the disruption of standard outcomes. That is why we have built our Enrichment Center.

Purpose

The Enrichment Center exists to be a safe and supportive space where the youth and families we serve can participate in essential experiences, build meaningful connections, and open the door to possibilities that will enrich lives and shape futures.

Plans

The Enrichment Center will will offer both educational and recreational opportunities in a trauma-informed space. Until the building is complete, we are offering select programs in offsite locations. See current offerings HERE.

Once the Enrichment Center opens, onsite programming will include:

    • Martial Arts
    • Drama, Music, and Visual Arts Classes
    • Robotics
    • Chess Instruction
    • Life-Skills Classes for youth aging out of foster care
    • Mentorship for youth aging out of foster care
    • Employment Resources for youth aging out of foster care

Trauma-informed care is a a strengths-based framework that recognizes the widespread impact of trauma and understands potential paths for recovery. The six key principles of trauma-informed care include:

    • Safety
    • Trustworthiness
    • Transparency
    • Peer Support
    • Collaboration
    • Empowerment
    • Cultural Competence

Enrichment Center programming will follow these tenets and foster a safe, empowering environment for youth, families, and staff.

Martial arts helps children with emotional regulation, a sense of belonging, and discipline.
We’re partnering with Keys to Success to support youth aging out of foster care.
For youth dealing with trauma, chess provides a safe space for decision making and learning.
Art allows for social-emotional learning and creative expression for children.

Progress

The exterior of the building is complete, but we are waiting on the approval of City Permits to continue the interior build-out. Until then, we are finding alternative solutions for providing programming at off-site locations. See current offerings HERE.

In this short video, hear more from our Executive Director, see the interior of the Enrichment Center, and learn how you can help!

Participate

Do you have expertise, knowledge, or connection to opportunities that may be beneficial to those we serve? Do you have experience working with children? We’d love to talk with you! We always say, “it takes a village” and we welcome those in our community who want to join us in our mission. 

Please contact our Program Manager, Deb Szelewski, at deborah@morethanabed.org or call her at 520.428.5280, x 0028.

Meet our Program Manager

Deborah Szelewski
Program Manager
deborah@morethanabed.org

Deb is a New York transplant who has called Tucson home for the past 19 years.
She is a proud Wildcat who graduated from UA with her Bachelor’s Degree in Special Education, Rehabilitation, and Counseling. She went on to complete her Master’s Degree in Psychology with a Specialization in Child and Adolescent Development. Deb brings a wealth of experiences working with the Southern Arizona communities, including work in Early Childhood Special Education, Pediatric Mental and Behavioral Health, Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation, and Parent Education. She has also provided professional development to early learning programs and schools as a Trauma Specialist. She is trained in CPI: De-escalation techniques, the DC:0-5 Diagnostic Manual, and as a Perinatal Health Provider through Postpartum Support International.

Deb is inspired by the words of Frederick Douglas, “It is easier to build strong children than to repair broken men.” Strong children come from supportive families, and supportive families come from caring communities. 

"Children are likely to live up to what you believe of them."

– Lady Bird Johnson

Join us in helping children to see their potential, know their value, and dream big.

Donate to the Enrichment Center
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