The HUGS program provides warm, cuddly teddy bears to children experiencing crisis. In 1987 our local fire department expressed a need to provide a bear to children. Through their experience they learned that when a child must endure a fire, family death, illness, and other emergencies, that child is in crisis. Having something to hold on to has a calming effect and gives the child a sense of security. This makes it easier for the officials involved to gather information and help meet the needs of the child.

When a bear is given to a child, it is not intended to be a toy but rather a tool to address the emotional health of that child through offering comfort and support.

Children experiencing a crisis receive one of our cuddly HUGS bears from our partners at:

Phoenix Fire Department, Crisis Team
Lutheran Social Services
New Life Womens' Center
N.O.A.H Desert Mission Health Center
Nourish Phoenix (formerly ICM Food & Clothing Bank)
Southwest Human Development
UMOM New Day Center
Valleywise Healthcare

You can help provide a teddy bear for a child experiencing crisis.

Volunteers meet monthly prepare the bears for distribution. To volunteer, contact volunteer@alphx.org

Just $5 provides a teddy bear for a child.
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