When Seeds of Hope opened the Mondo Anaya Community Center (MACC) in Albert Cruz Park in 2012, our vision was to develop a stronger sense of community in that west side neighborhood. For the previous 10 years, our programs operated out of a small 1,100 square-foot home on Melrose Street. During that season, 25 kids from Saguaro Elementary walked to our location for our after-school program every day, and about 14 grandparents raising grandchildren and their families met monthly to work together on the challenges of raising children once again. Our programs couldn’t grow any larger simply because there was no room to grow!
When we opened the MACC doors in November, the after-school program swelled to 75 kids almost overnight! Suddenly we had room to expand not just our current programming, but also add new opportunities for many community partners to bring their resources to our neighborhood.
In addition to Seeds of Hope programming, these organizations have used the MACC to provide or host services in 2017:
- Monthly wellness clinic led by Dr. Bessie Burk, Rocio Arveson and a host of volunteers from Sun Life Family Health.
- The Consulado de Mexico en Tucson brought a team four times to help individuals file legal documentation from Mexico.
- The Florence Project provides pro-bono legal help for children of incarcerated parents.
- United Way provides child-care resources to those who are daycare providers.
- Providence Reformed Baptist Church hosts its Sunday services here.
- Casa Grande Elementary School District summer feeding program.
- University of Arizona Cooperative Extension nutrition classes.
- Youth Haven Kid’s Klub program is hosted here.
- Weekly men’s Bible study.
Our location in the park has become a neighborhood treasure. As we look to the next 25 years, we will be continue our partnerships with churches, agencies and volunteers.
Mondo Anaya Community Center
1487 N. Crane St., CG • 520.421.0500 www.seedsofhopeaz.com
