Unfortunately, we have some difficult news to share with you today. Our Family’s Senior Leadership team, in consultation with the Board of Directors, has made the decision to close the Center for Community Dialogue & Training, effective July 1. Our Family Services has significantly invested in the Center because of the value that Center programming brings to our local community through mediation, forums, and training opportunities. As you know, inflation has caused skyrocketing costs in every sector including housing, utilities, and gasoline. You likely have been personally affected by these expenses and know family and friends affected as well. Our Family Services has also incurred significant increases in expenses. To ensure that we are good stewards of the funds we are entrusted with, the difficult decision was made to close the Center and focus all of our resources to where the need is greatest: emergency shelter and housing for youth and families experiencing homelessness.

While Center operations and programs will conclude on July 1, we are proud of the Center’s community impact and its many accomplishments. The Center was founded by a group of activists interested in providing opportunities for civil discourse and nonviolent communication. They hoped to achieve their vision of conflict resolution through training and education. Since its inception, the Center has trained hundreds of participants on nonviolent communication, conflict resolution, and cultural competency. The Center was also hired by the City of Tucson to facilitate forums with the community on the Reid Park Zoo expansion and The Sunshine Mile. Throughout the Center’s time, it was always volunteers, donors, and staff at the heart of this work. We want to acknowledge that the Center’s accomplishments would not have been possible without this group of dedicated supporters. We are extending a heartfelt and sincere thank you to everyone that supported the Center over the years.

Although the Center is coming to a close, Our Family Services is growing and expanding our housing programs. We are serving more youth and families experiencing homelessness than ever before. Our organization continues to receive new grants and philanthropic giving to support these activities including a 24-hour emergency shelter for runaway and homeless youth, rapid rehousing programs for families, and street outreach. In the last year we:

  • Rapidly rehoused 788 individuals and households
  • Sheltered 173 individuals and households
  • Served 490 youth through street outreach

As the affordable housing crisis in Arizona continues to grow, Our Family stands ready to meet this need and to continue our mission to eliminate homelessness and strengthen our community. We are committed to the continued success of this work and to supporting the communities we serve.

If you have any questions or concerns about this transition, please contact us at: info@ourfamilyservices.org