Thank you!

We would like to extend a huge thank you to Corporate America Family Credit Union for their generous donation of school supplies for TNF kids.  As a non-profit organization, TNF relies on donations such as these to keep expenses low.  During the month of July much needed school supplies were collected at CAFCU’s Scottsdale location.  The success of this school supply drive would not have been realized without the tremendous support of CAFCU’s staff and customers.  Thank you CAFCU and all your generous customers!!

Free Family Activites in this Economy

Spending good quality family time together is important.  Many people believe that to have a great time means to spend tons of money on the day or the event.  With current economic times families are finding it hard to entertain family members but I am here to tell you that there are many fun family activities that are free.

1.  Hiking McDowell Mountain has many family activities to participate in.  (May want to try this when it is a little cooler, but always a family favorite).  Pack a lunch and eat at the top of the mountain with a perfect view.  Discuss the city and landmarks with the kids.

2.  African American Multicultural Museum.  Thursday-Saturday 1-5pm are free.  Educational and fun.  Take a walk around Scottsdale.  Old town Scottsdale has many wonderful stores to “window shop.” Read the rest of this entry »

Nathan’s Notes

One thing that I have noticed over the years is that there is a BIG difference between what people think they need in order to be successful and what they actually need to be successful.  For instance, let’s say that you are going to repel off the edge of a cliff.  Hey, it could happen; I know someone that jumps out of perfectly good airplanes, but that’s another subject.  So by your estimation, you figure it is about 1000 feet down.  Beside you is a 1000 and a 2000 foot rope.  Which rope do you use?

a)      1000 foot rope

Or

b)      2000 foot rope

If you chose the b) 2000 foot rope then you have chosen wisely.  If you chose the 1000 foot rope what would happen if you were 50 feet short?  That is one long!  The point of the story is that sometimes it is better to do more than what you think you need so there is room for error.

NBC’s “Today Show” Segment Glorifies the Negative Acting Out Behavior of a Young Boy

Did any one see the segment on the “Today Show”  this morning with the little boy who took his parent’s keys to the family car, took the car out for a joyride and refused to stop for the police?  I was so disappointed with the show’s producers for energizing this behavior by having the little boy and his family featured on the show with an in-person interview.  The segment portrayed the behavior as cute and even called the boy “adventurous”.  This type of glorification of negative and dangerous behavior sends the wrong message to children who are still trying to learn how to decipher between right and wrong.

Seriously.  Think about how confused this young boy must be – initially grounded for 4 days as a consequence for the behavior only to get to fly to New York a couple of days later to appear on National TV!

I must say that I do, however, find some solace in knowing that more than half the people commenting on the segment agreed with me.  Very disappointing NBC.

‘Acceptance’

Art Therapy enables our clients to actively engage in processing their emotions and feelings without the need for words.  This piece entitled “Acceptance” was done by our kids during recent therapy sessions. 

“And acceptance is the answer to all of my problems today.  When I am disturbed it is because I find some person, place, thing or situation – some fact of my life – unacceptable to me, and I can find no serenity until I accept that person, place, thing or situation as being exactly the way it is supposed to be at this moment.”  – TNF Clients

Love and Attention: Main Ingedients in Early Childhood Development

There was an interesting topic on Oprah the other day which talked about neglect of a child and the effects it has on the brain.  Amazing.  Let’s never forget the importance of a hug to a child.

These images from Bruce Perry, MD, Ph D, at Baylor Colledge of Medicine, illustrate the negative impact on the developing brain.  In the CT scan on the left is an image from a healthy 3 year old with an average head size.  The image on the right is from a 3 year old child suffering from neglect.  This child’s brain is smaller than average and has abnormal developent of cortex.

Thinking outside the box.

Support ‘Project Back Pack’ in July

We want to give a big thanks to Corporate America Family Credit Union for hosting a Back Pack and School Supply Drive for our kids.  During the month of July, visit any CAFCU location and donate much needed school supplies and back packs.  Items being collected include: 

• composition books
• journals
• pencils
• paper
• art supplies

If you leave your donation at CAFCU’s Scottsdale location, please be sure to say “Hello” to Paula and Juanita who coordinated Project Back Pack for our kids.

Welcome To The New Foundation Blog

This blog will be the place you can get event info and any news about The New Foundation. We will also be posting other useful tidbits about us and some of our partners. Check back soon and feel free to post comments about any of our posts.