Childhelp H.K. Cummings Community Center

Part of the Family

In the summer of 2007, Childhelp welcomed new members to its family with the acquisition of Southwest Leadership Foundation (SLF). For 22 years, SLF had devoted its efforts to serving Arizona residents most in need by providing programs to strengthen their long-term spiritual, emotional, physical, and economic well-being. Today, Childhelp refers to the SLF programs as Arizona Community Programs (ACP). ACP includes two community centers and two residential programs. The initial acquisition and the continued dedication to this effort has set the table for unlimited potential for quality, and efficient resources to reach hundreds of deserving children and adults throughout the Valley that many in Childhelp’s family call home.

Childhelp H.K. Cummings Community Center Overview

As it celebrates more than 15 years of service to the community, the Childhelp H.K. Cummings Community Center (Cummings) remains true to its mission of promoting and encouraging the spiritual, emotional and physical well being of children, young adults and families in need.

Cummings was founded in 1993 as a partnership between the Pendergast Elementary School District, Southwest Leadership Foundation and Phoenix Urban League to create a Head Start preschool program for low-income families in the area. Cummings and its dedicated staff quickly became a community resource and link to serve a wide-range of other needs.

The center’s strategies and services include, but are not limited to:

• Providing support services to families with multiple needs;
• Encouraging individual family members to work towards self sufficiency;
• Providing assistance for families in crisis; 
• Providing social and educational experiences for youths and adults that will improve academics and foster positive self-esteem; and
• Providing both before and after school programs that serve as a consistent and continuation to the quality education provided through Pendergast School District.

The True Meaning of Community

Cummings serves West Valley children and families in Phoenix, Avondale, and Glendale where sadly, an increasing number of families have income levels at or below poverty. Cummings helps families in crisis who may be dealing with the hardships of homelessness, domestic violence, and loss of employment.

Enrichment Programs

• English as a Second Language classes
• Parent support groups, crisis counseling, and community services referrals
• Annual Family Camp each summer that promotes self-esteem, raises social skills, and encourages quality time for families
• Holiday food drives and food box assistance program
• Health fairs including no-fee wellness physical examinations, dental exams, child immunizations, vision and hearing screenings, spinal exams, educational resources, and AHCCCS/Kids Care information for non-insured and/or under insured families
• Clothing Assistance Program
• Hosting on-site community agencies to provide needed services to the community eliminating the need for transportation to remote areas

Program Distinctives

• An exemplary model of community outreach, Cummings offers a myriad of family services reaching the Westside community through health fairs, ESL classes, case management, community referrals, and before and after-school programs for children.
• An unforgettable family camp experience for families, some of which have never taken a family trip together. Families selected to attend the camp are chosen specifically based on their need and potential to grow from the life skills taught at camp in order to strengthen the family unit.
• An annual Winter Festival treating over 350 families to food, fun, merriment and a visit with Santa who brings each child a gift.

Program Goals

1. Provide more support for children by targeting and increasing donation in food , holiday gifts, and clothing.
2. Identify options for expanding sustainable program services by exploring new programs.