Outspoken partners with UMOM on collection drive to help families in need

With costs on the rise, KTAR News 92.3 FM is partnering with UMOM New Day Centers to help get struggling Valley families back on their feet.

The collection drive, Outspoken for Families in Need, supports the emergency family shelter, which is Arizona’s largest, as it houses 600 people, with 350 to 400 of them being children, each night.

“Our wait list for shelter is around 200 families, which is up to a six-week wait,” UMOM’s Director of Individual Giving Allora McChesney told Outspoken with Bruce & Gaydos Monday. “Before they come to us, we get a lot of stories of how families were living in their, couch hopping [or] they used up the last bit of their savings on motels. … So, as they are coming in, they are truly in need.”

McChesney noted a lot of the families coming to UMOM recently are experiencing homelessness for the first time or are new to Arizona due to the outdated belief the Grand Canyon State is affordable.

She explained the nonprofit has 155 private shelter rooms, which represent 90% of the family shelter rooms in Maricopa County. McChesney added Arizona is the 14th worst.

“When families stay with us not only do they gain access to emergency shelter for themselves and their children, but a whole slew of wrap around supportive services that are meant to help rebuild their lives and hopefully get them to the place where they can move out,” McChesney said. “We kind of believe homelessness should be short, non-reoccurring and rare and all the work we do goes into that.”

What items is the Outspoken for Families in need collection drive looking for?

Community members can give to UMOM by purchasing items directly from the nonprofit’s Amazon Store. Once purchased, the items will be sent directly to KTAR News.

Needed items include:

• Bedding
• Playpens
• Air mattresses
• Pillows
• Sheets
• Comforters
• Shampoo
• Baby shampoo
• Baby lotion
• Diapers, specifically size seven
• Soap
• Toothpaste
• Kids toothbrushes
• Laundry detergent
• Feminine hygiene products

“As amazing as toys are, we like to give the gift of a good night sleep first because that’s so critical for our families,” McChesney said. “Things like socks and underwear in our clothing closet go very fast, specifically right now toddler underwear we’re really in need of.”

She added the nonprofit hands out about 10,000 pairs of socks each year.

“While they’re staying with is, the last thing we want them to worry about is having to buy all those items [and] to use their limited income,” McChesney said.

Residents can also text “CARE” to 620620 to receive a link to UMOM’s Amazon Store. 

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