Childhelp KEYS Community Center of Arizona

Childhelp opened its arms to a new member of the family with a very special story during the acquisition of the Southwest Leadership Foundation. Once home to an independent grocery store (Keys Market), the building was overtaken by drug dealers and gang violence. The abandoned structure was rehabilitated with the help of the City of Phoenix, stewards, neighbors, and generous donors that led the first Fight Back effort where residents vowed to take their territory back from violence and criminality. KEYS brings dignity, strength, and endurance to Childhelp’s table.

Childhelp KEYS Community Center

Knowledge, Education, Youth and Society are the foundation that drives staff at the Childhelp KEYS Community Center (KEYS) to offer support and assistance to those living in the South Mountain Village community.

Located in the heart of South Phoenix, KEYS provides services to a community that bears a disproportionate number of disadvantaged families compared to other Phoenix neighborhoods, particularly in the areas of crime, gang involvement, literacy levels, unemployment, graduation rates, and poverty.

Concerned by a number of alarming trends in these areas and their negative impact on child and family development, the original founders had a vision that KEYS should, and could, be a "beacon of light" helping the neighborhood reclaim its life from distress and destruction.

Let the Light Shine

Long recognized as the only educationally based community center in the South Mountain Village community, KEYS is a full service community center that is well positioned to recruit, engage, and make a difference in the lives of community residents. KEYS partners with a number of state, local and government entities to provide a range of services for children, youth, families and adults. Core programs and services, provided with the support of these community partnerships, include:

• Preschool and kindergarten readiness for children ages 2 to 5;
• After School Care Enrichment (ACE), a licensed and certified after school program, and summer camp for kindergarten through 8th grade students;
• Youth development for at-risk and adjudicated youth;
• “Neighbors that Care” resident leadership team;
• Community (or urban) garden and neighborhood revitalization projects; and
• Mentoring & education enrichment programs for youth and teens.

Enrichment Programs

• Community field trips and special events
• GED preparation and STRIDE pre-employment readiness classes
• Computer and financial literacy workshops
• Physical and health education with nutritious meals daily
• Annual backpack and school supplies drive for children returning to school
• Community revitalization, a partnership to instill the importance of health, wellness and team play

Program Distinctives

STRIDE—An empowerment program that motivates the unemployed, underemployed and adjudicated youth to successfully achieve job readiness.

Program Goals

• Effectively grow participation in the tutoring and mentoring programs:
• Expand tutoring for children presently in school and the KEYS after school program.
• Expand one-on-one mentoring opportunities to adjudicated youth and other youth (ages 12-17).
• Secure city and community commitments for determining the appropriate role for KEYS in the Four Corner Revitalization plan, including determination of long-term development.
• Increase involvement and partnerships with local businesses in the South Mountain Village community to create a bridge for job readiness and opportunities for placement assistance.
• Explore creative partnerships with St. Joseph’s Hospital to create a Pediatric Resident’s Health Clinic to serve the South Phoenix area.