PHOENIX (STN) – Building healthy families takes more than good intentions; it requires strong partnerships and community trust.
During the season three finale of ‘It Happens at STN,’ leaders from Mercy Care and Southwest Human Development highlighted how collaboration is shaping brighter futures for Arizona’s youngest residents through events like the Thrive to Five Play Fest.
Jake Adams, chief development officer at Southwest Human Development, described it as a joyful gathering designed to engage families with young children.
“We work with kids [from] birth to five,” he explained. “Events like this give them a place to learn and grow in a fun, supportive environment.”
Collaborating builds better futures for children:
Nichol Khan, a project manager at Mercy Care, emphasized the importance of early intervention and wraparound support.
“We work collaboratively to engage families in services and support, helping to build thriving, healthy families that are stable in the community,” she said.
The partnership goes beyond events. Mercy Care has been a vital supporter of Southwest Human Development’s Smooth Way Home program, which helps parents with newborns transition out of NICU care. The program ensures that families have the resources and support they need during a vulnerable and stressful time.
Ambassador Karena Thompson, whose daughter’s NICU journey inspired her to become an advocate for other parents, shared her connection to the mission.
“They gave me all kinds of programs to make sure she met her milestones and checked in on me, too,” Thompson said.
The impact of this partnership also extends to literacy and access to resources. At the event, children received free books and painted little libraries that will be shared in communities where access to books is limited.
“It’s thrilling to see so many families come out and know they have access to resources when they need help,” Khan added.
