Practicum Student Training

Last week Nana's conducted training for five new practicum students for the 2009-2010 school year. Ana Sutton reviewed the history and basic methods of play therapy, Nana's policies and procedures, building client-therapist relationships, and the toys used to deliver sessions. Cait Blanton covered the training for Therascribe, the record-keeping program used by Nana's therapists to electronically store client files. Students were given their portable play therapy bags and resources which they will use throughout the year. We are happy to say that all of these students have a passion for working with children and will make great additions to the Nana's team!

Ride for the Children Pictures

Ride for the Children

On April 26th, Nana’s Children participated in the 2009 Ride for Children, organized by The Real Gift Foundation, a foundation dedicated to helping homeless children in Maricopa County. The non-competitive event began at Horizon High School in Scottsdale, and riders selected from distances of 10, 25, and 65 miles. Over 400 riders from around the valley participated in the ride, raising over $20,000 for the charity. Proceeds from the race went to support programs dedicated to helping the 13,000 homeless children attending school in Maricopa County. The Nana’s team was composed of 6 riders, two riders for each of the three distances. The team also raised over $300 in donations for the event. Special thanks to Ana Sutton for sponsoring each of the riders as well as Bill Koeing, Paul Beljan, Kim Walters, Emily Leaman, Matt Harmon, and Cait Blanton for participating in the race.

Ride for the Children 2009

Nana's Children is supporting The Real Gift Foundation by participating in Ride for the Children on Sunday, April 26, 2009. Ride for the Children is the largest fundraising event for The Real Gift Foundation, benefiting over 12,000 homeless children attending schools in Maricopa County. Participants can choose three distances to ride: 65 miles, 25 miles, or 10 miles.

Nana's supports the mission of the Real Gift Foundation and encourages people to donate $1 per mile for as many miles as you wish. All proceeds from this event go to The Real Gift Foundation.

Please visit Nana's Children's Ride for the Children fundraising page at http://www.firstgiving.com/nanaschildren2009

To find out more about Ride for the Children, please visit http://www.rideforthechildren.com/index.html

Raising the Awareness: Homelessness

Follow the link below to view an article and video brought to you by MSNBC that discusses homeless children in the school setting. The more people that become aware of the homeless situation many families with children face in a tough economy like today, the better understanding we will have to try to find a way to try to fix this ongoing crisis. It's time to raise the awareness on homelessness!

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/29356160

Ana Sutton on 1150 AM Radio Unica

On March 13th, Ana Sutton was a guest on the radio show Mujeres Unicas (Unique Women), 1150 AM Radio Unica. Mujeres Unicas is a new radio program that features outstanding women in the Hispanic community. The three hosts of the program, Stella Paolini, Lorena Schmit, and Nuria Carte were all involved with the interview as Ana was asked to explain who is homeless in Arizona and what Nana’s Mission is.

During the program, Ana explained that the fastest growing segment of the homeless population are children, and that Nana’s goal is not to treat severe pathologies, but to help reduce the anxiety and depression these children feel so they are able to succeed in school.

Ana has been invited to go back to this radio program in the future. Be sure to tune in to 1150 AM to see what other outstanding women are doing in the Hispanic community every day from 11 am-1 pm.

Co-Founder Ana Sutton to be Published in School Based Play Therapy: Second Edition

Ana Sutton, founder and president of Nana’s Children, was asked to write a chapter for the book School Based Play Therapy Second Edition, edited by Athena A. Drewes, Psy.D and Charles E. Schaefer, Ph.D. The chapter of the book is titled “Nana’s Model: School Based Play Therapy with Children who are Homeless or Severely Impoverished.” This book is scheduled to be released in 2009. To check out Ana’s experience on writing this chapter, visit http://www.nanaschildren.org/ and click on the Newsletters heart. Her experience is outlined in the March 2009 newsletter.