Desert Monks

Citizens

Recreation facilities are adequate, centering attention on the provision of stimulating and helpful amusements. A large playground, well protected from outside disturbances, equipped with swings, slides, roller-skating space, swimming-pool, sand play pits, ping-pong, bars and rings, is well supervised, providing many happy hours. Affiliation with various organizations and groups sponsoring character building programs and wholesome amusement help to complete a well organized program for recreational activities, including a weekly Saturday comic movie.

A balanced portion of the time is given to the moral and spiritual development of the children. When a child first comes to the home he may be a bit cynical. He may be inclined to be shiftless, to tease the younger children, to do anything, in fact, to disturb the even and peaceful flow of everyday life. While that is not the attitude of all the children who enter, it is a frequent one; but, fortunately, that attitude does not last long. On Sunday all school-age children go to the Sunday school of their own or their parents' preference. Various church groups provide special teaching instructions and entertainment.

Annual open house is held in May, when visitors may inspect the Home. As a result, the participation of the children in home activities gives them an added interest. Many times, when they have reached the point where the home has done all it can for them, they do not want to leave. They miss their friends, the companionship and care given each and every child by a devoted home staff.

The children are divided into four age groups-nursery, pre-school, grammar school and junior high school; and occasionally there is a fifth group, senior high school.

The very young live in the nursery, a separate building back of the main building. They have their own dining room and their own play yard with attending nurse and staff. The older boys and girls live in the main building in separate quarters. The atmosphere of a private home has been attained through the incessant determination of those responsible for these children to make for them as nearly an ideal home as possible.

Tasks assigned the children around the home are never too arduous or monotonous. In the supervision of the daily tasks great patience is required, but this is rewarded by tasks well done -a step up the ladder of character-building.

Through the years thousands of children have found needed help and happiness at a crucial time in their lives. Last year 137 children were cared for at the Arizona Children's Home, with an average monthly attendance of 48. The needs of these children could not have been met so adequately by any other agency or institution in the state. Cooperation with all child-caring groups is carefully maintained.

The maintenance of this home comes under the general classification of private charity. Throughout the years friends and sponsors among the leading citizens of Arizona have given much time and financial assistance. A housemother with eight assistants, an executive secretary and one assistant, make up the staff, which continues to make history in the care of unfortunate children in Arizona.