Events: Arizona - Phoenix - Scottsdale

Residents of the Valley of the Sun are invited to join Southwest Human Development and presenting sponsor, the Arizona Coyotes, for the 13th annual Walk With Me from March 15-20, 2021. The event will be a week of socially-distanced and virtual activities as participants raise funds to support programs and services offered to more than 140,000 children and their families each year.

“This year’s Walk With Me is going to be a really unique and fun experience for all the families,” said Jake Adams, Southwest Human Development’s chief development officer. “Walk With Me celebrates not only the funds raised by the community to support medically fragile children, but it also showcases that it’s possible for children with disabilities and their families to thrive when receiving coordinated care from dedicated professionals.”

Walk With Me registration is open at swhd.org/walk and participation is free, but those who achieve fundraising goals of $50-$1,000 are eligible to win prizes including a custom medal, t-shirt, stainless steel water bottle, earbuds, and more.

Throughout the week of Walk With Me, participants will get to know several Southwest Human Development ambassador families who have utilized the Children’s Developmental Center’s “One Child, One Family, One Team” approach. Families’ needs vary, but luckily, the outcomes have been nothing short of incredible for the parents and children receiving support. Benjamin’s mother needed confidence and techniques to support her autistic son, the Howells became adoptive parents to a baby born prematurely and Penny was born with a rare disease that made it challenging to use her hands and hold her head upright. Read more about each of these children and their journey of care and support here.

Sign up for Walk With Me today at swhd.org/walk

SOUTHWEST HUMAN DEVELOPMENT

Southwest Human Development is Arizona’s largest nonprofit dedicated to early childhood development. Recognizing a child’s earliest experiences and relationships establish the foundation for all future development, Southwest Human Development’s more than 40 comprehensive programs focus on young children – ages birth to 5 – and their families in the areas of child development and mental health, Easterseals disabilities services, early literacy and Head Start, child welfare and professional development and training. Founded in 1981, Southwest Human Development serves 135,000 children and families each year. www.swhd.org