At the start of the year, sponsored by North Phoenix Kiwanis, VALLEYLIFE Members started an ‘Aktion Club’ in an effort to give back to their community. Aktion Clubs are service clubs for adults with disabilities and there are currently over 500 clubs worldwide, which are each sponsored by a local Kiwanis group.
The purpose of this group is to allow VALLEYLIFE Members the opportunity to serve their community. These groups help Members build self-confidence, encourage leadership, and help Members realize their ability to make a difference in their community. VALLEYLIFE Members will elect officers for their club and will meet monthly to discuss community service activities they would like to perform.
In January, Members created Valentine’s Day cards to deliver to a local assisted living facility. VALLEYLIFE Members Andrea and Stasha accompanied Shauna Cutbirth, Day Services Supervisor and Marsha Ngiruchelbad, Day Services Program Manager, to the Orchard Pointe Arrowhead retirement assisted living facility to deliver the cards. Andrea thought it “felt great” to brighten the day of those who may not have someone to spend the holiday with.
The February meeting activity was devoted to helping the homeless. Members placed messages on water bottles that will be given to those in need. The water bottles were decorated with messages reminding the recipients they are important and everyone matters. Each Member left the meeting with at least one bottle to give to someone in need. The remaining bottles were left with Maryann Bailey, Day Services Supervisor, to deliver to Andre House, which helps the homeless. Maryann volunteers every other weekend at Andre House where she hands out food, water and coffee to the homeless.
VALLEYLIFE is a nonprofit organization that provides services to individuals with disabilities. This is done through a wide range of programs including residential group homes, day programs, vocational services and in-home care and support. To learn more about VALLEYLIFE or ways you can help them in their mission “to enhance the quality of life of people with disabilities,” please visit www.valleylifeaz.org. For more information on Kiwanis Aktion Clubs please visit www.aktionclub.org.