Care1st Avondale Resource & Housing Center
The first of its kind in the Southwest Valley, this multifaceted hub for human services was made possible by the innovative public and private partnership between Care1st Health Plan Arizona and the City of Avondale. In operation since April 2009, the City provided the building facility (formerly an old public library) while Care1st provided funding for renovations and operations for the center. Avondale is responsible for recruiting participating non-profit agencies, coordinating their services and evaluating the outcomes. The non-profits are provided free space in the center in exchange for providing the much needed services in the Southwest Valley. All programs and services are listed are available to residents without cost, with exception of Court ordered AzPEC programs. Call (623) 333-2703 for appointments or to request more information on services available at the Center.
Hours of Operation:
Monday through Thursday, 9 am to 7 pm; Friday, 9 am to 5 pm.
Location:
328 W. Western Avenue, Avondale, AZ 85323 (see map)
Phone (623) 333-2703.
Website: www.avondale.org/nfs
(See pictures of the Center)
Services Available:
- Helping Families in Need is an agency that assists with renewals and applications for AHCCCS health care, nutrition assistance (food stamps) and for cash assistance. Appointments are available daily.
- Rio Salado College offers GED and ESL classes at the Resource Center. Students must register at Rio Salado located at 420 North Central Avenue, Avondale, AZ 85323 and the phone number is (480) 377-4406.
- Walk in services for the WIC (Women, Infant and Children-the USDA's nutritional assistance) program are available every day from 9:00 am until 5:00 pm. WIC services are provided by Adelante Healthcare.
- A representative from Arizonans for the Protections of Sexually Exploited Children and Adults (APECA) is at the Resource Center each week. APECA's mission is community awareness on sexual exploitation, self injury and abuse. APECA has bi-monthly support groups for abuse victims.
- Teen Outreach and Pregnancy (TOPS) an agency supporting pregnant teenagers and their families' health and social issues is at the Resource Center.
- Avondale Young Families offers supportive services to teenage parents by offering classes addressing a wide-range of parenting issues.
- A representative from Maricopa County Workforce Connections is at the Resource Center offering job counseling.
- Jewish Family and Children Services (JFCS) and Turn A New Leaf offer behavioral counseling services at the Resource Center.
- Association for Supportive Child Care holds weekly classes to educate and certify in-home child care providers with CPR, safety and first aid issues, instruction on positive communication and appropriate developmental play.
- DUET offers a support group geared for grandparents caring for their grandchildren or for other children.
- Civitan is an organization that works with developmentally disabled children and adults and offers supportive services to those families.
- Community Legal Services offers free legal assistance (civil cases) to Resource Center clients.
- A domestic abuse support group facilitated by A New Life meets at the Resource Center on a weekly basis.
- A housing counselor with Housing Our Communities is permanently housed at the Center to counsel first time home buyers and offer foreclosure counseling.
- Southwest Valley Literacy offers classes to adults in English and in literacy.
- The Alzheimer's Association offers monthly workshops for Alzheimer caregivers at the Resource Center.
- Avondale Family Education and Resource Program offers emergency baby boxes to needy families with children aged birth to five years of age. Literacy and Parenting Classes are offered for families with children aged birth to five years.
- Valle del Sol offers its Homelessness Prevention and Rapid Re-Housing Program at the Resource Center. The program provides financial assistance to individuals and families threatened with homelessness from becoming homeless and helps those who are experiencing homelessness to be quickly re-housed and stabilized.
- The Depression and Support Alliance (DBSA) offers bi-monthly support groups for adults suffering from depression.
- Area Agency on Aging offers free Medicare benefits counseling.
- Arizona Priority Education and Counseling (AzPEC) offers Court-ordered parent information classes at the Resource Center. To register for AzPEC classes, go to www.AzPEC.com or call (602) 285-1200.
- Catholic Charities Project HOPE facilitates an IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program (VITA) site at the Resource Center through April 2011. The VITA program offers free tax return help to low-to moderate-income individuals and families. Generally, families and individuals with an annual income of $56,000 and below. Catholic Charities Project HOPE also holds weekly Financial Literacy classes at the Resource Center year round.
- Super Cool Kids-a local agency operates their “Taking Turns Toybrary” from the Resource Center. The Super Cool Kids Toybrary will offer families with children who have developmental and physical disabilities a chance at receiving “fun” equipment to help with their respective therapies.
- DES Child Care assists eligible families with child care costs, enabling parents to participate in employment and specific education and training activities related to employment or in certain other circumstances when parents are unable to provide care.