Looking for virtual community resources in the Valley? Our Family Learning Centers are here for you.
January 6, 2021
At Valleywise Health, our top priority is making sure families all across the Valley have access to the community resources they need to live their happiest, healthiest lives. That doesn’t just include exceptional healthcare – it also includes learning, family activities, community and all the things that make life great.
Our Family Learning Centers serve as a safe space for people of all ages to find free community support services – from reading programs to nutrition classes – to meet a variety of needs. Every staff member at our Family Learning Centers is bilingual in English and Spanish, so patients can find the support they need without language barriers. If the staff don’t speak your language, they have access to interpreters who can help with any translation needed.
Even though COVID-19 has forced us to make many of our regular programs virtual, we are still offering the same great support services and classes our neighbors have come to rely on. Here are community resources and activities available at our Family Learning Centers.
We understand how stressful it can be to parent, let alone in a pandemic. From early pregnancy to Kindergarten, we’re here to help you take care of yourself and your family by finding the support you need no matter what. Some of our specialized parenting classes include:
Even though in-person classes have been on hold for several months, families have continued enjoying our fun virtual learning classes together. From arts and crafts sessions to music classes and more, our programming offers the opportunity to gather the family together and work on something fun that keeps kids engaged and gives them a new creative outlet.
We also partner with various local organizations throughout the year to bring exclusive educational content to our communities. For example, our ZooToYou classes feature guest speakers from the Phoenix Zoo who teach kids about various animals through games, live shows and learning activities.
Sometimes you need community support that goes beyond classes, pamphlets or one-on-one meetings with doctors and therapists. We’re here to help you find that. Our safe, specialized support groups for women and men are now being held virtually, but we work hard to make sure every participant is able to get the support and help they need. From fathering classes to women’s support groups and more, you can be sure many people in your community are looking for the same group connection as you.
Finding the motivation to stay active can sometimes be difficult, especially now that many gyms and fitness classes are modified or closed due to the pandemic. Keeping kids healthy and active is an incredibly important part of their health and development – and we believe parents and siblings should be able to join them and have a good time as a family! One of our most popular classes is Zumbini – a modified Zumba class designed especially for kids. We also offer a total wellness class that family members of all ages can enjoy.
Making ends meet right now can be tough. Our Family Learning Centers might have a utility assistance program to help. Our staff will walk you through the application process and check your eligibility to receive assistance from one of the programs.
Of course, our Family Learning Centers also serve as a safe, accessible space for our communities to find the resources they need to find the best healthcare and understand various types of conditions, treatments and services.
If you’d like to learn more about our Family Learning Centers, sign up for class or simply get more information about community resources and activities in your area, visit our website to find a location near you. Please note that the majority of our services are currently virtual, though you may schedule an in-person visit by appointment only.
Learn more about our virtual and in-person family classes and find a Family Learning Center location near you!
Rebecca Birr is the Library & Information Services Manager at Valleywise Health. She has worked at Valleywise Health for over twenty years managing both the Health Sciences Library serving the staff and clinicians and the Family Resource Centers that focus on the needs of patients, families and the community. She has a Masters in Library …
Read posts by Rebecca Birr
Ana Contreras is a Family Resource Center Coordinator at Valleywise Health. She is a certified Spanish Medical assistant and is working towards her lactation education certification. Ana studied Early Childhood Education at Arizona State University and spent 10 years as a classroom teacher in the Creighton School District. In 2018, she completed her masters in …
Read posts by Ana Contreras
