Erik Hite Foundation Inc

CHILD CARE, DEFENSIVE TRAINING & FAMILY OUTREACH PROGRAMS FOR FIRST RESPONDERS.

THE FOUNDATION OPENED ITS FIRST CHILDCARE FACILITY IN 2011 AND OFFERS FLEXIBLE HOURS DURING THE WEEK FOR CHILDREN SIX WEEKS TO FIVE YEARS OF AGE AND AN AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAM FOR THOSE AGES FIVE TO TWELVE. THE CENTER IS A SECURE FACILITY WITH SAFETY CODED DOORS AND CAMERAS THROUGHOUT THE FACILITY. THE CENTER HAS FULL TIME, PART TIME AND DROP IN SERVICES. THE FOUNDATION FOLLOWS GODLY PRINCIPLES AND STRIVES FOR EXCELLENCE OF CARE FOR THOSE FIRST RESPONDERS AND MILITARY EMPLOYEES WHO SERVE AND PROTECT THE COMMUNITY AND OUR COUNTRY. THE CENTER HAS SERVED OVER 1,000 CHILDREN FROM 27 DIFFERENT LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES, FIREFIGHTERS STATIONS AND MILITARY BRANCHES. DURING THE ONGOING COVID-19 PANDEMIC, WE REMAINED OPEN AND CARING FOR THE CHILDREN OF FIRST RESPONDERS AND KEEPING OUR TEACHER AND STAFF EMPLOYED. WE HAVE MAINTAINED THE FLEXIBLE HOURS THAT THESE EMPLOYEES NEED FOR DIFFERENT SHIFT WORK AND HAVE KEPT THE PROGRAM AFFORDABLE. THE CENTER WAS OPEN NEARLY ALL HOLIDAYS. DURING THE FISCAL YEAR 2021/2022, MORE IMPROVEMENTS HAVE BEEN MADE IN ENRICHING THE OUTDOOR PLAY AREAS BY ADDING TOY AND SUPPLY STORAGE WITH EASY ACCESS FOR TEACHERS. A NEW INTERACTIVE MUSICAL SOUND BOARD WAS CREATED AND INSTALLED BY A BOARD MEMBER TO ENGAGE THE CHILDREN. ADDITIONAL FOCUS WAS PLACED ON THE PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT OF STAFF AND TEACHERS THROUGH A SERIES OF ZOOM OPPORTUNITIES WITH COMMUNITY OF PRACTICE PROGRAMS, TRAINING AND ENCOURAGING THE PURSUIT OF STUDIES IN ECE. THE FOUNDATION IS CURRENTLY EXPANDING TO TWO NEW CENTERS IN TUCSON TO TRY AND MEET THE GROWING DEMAND FOR HIGH QUALITY CHILD CARE SERVICES.

IN MAY 2016, THE ERIK HITE FOUNDATION OPENED ITS SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM FOR SUMMER CAMPS. THE SUMMER CAMP SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM IS INTENDED TO REIMBURSE THE FIRST RESPONDERS' FAMILIES FOR REGISTRATION FEES PAID FOR SUMMER CAMP ATTENDANCE FOR THEIR CHILDREN. FAMILIES SENDING TWO OR MORE CHILDREN TO SUMMER CAMP WILL BE GIVEN PRIORITY CONSIDERATION. QUALIFYING AGES FOR THIS SCHOLARSHIP ARE CHILDREN 5 TO 18 YEARS OLD. OUR GOAL IS TO HELP OFFSET THE COST OF EXPENSIVE SUMMER CAMP PROGRAMS AND TO KEEP THEIR CHILDREN ACTIVE DURING A LONG SUMMER VACATION WHILE THEIR PARENTS CONCENTRATE ON WORK. IN FISCAL YEAR 2020-2021, THIS PROGRAM WENT UNUSED BECAUSE OF COVID 19, AND WE HAD NO APPLICANTS. IN FISCAL YEAR 2021-2022 THE PROGRAM WAS REVIVED AND WE WERE ABLE TO SEND 5 DESERVING CHILDREN TO CAMP PROGRAMS OF THEIR CHOICE.

IN APRIL 2016, THE ERIK HITE FOUNDATION RE-OPENED ITS WORKSHOP PROGRAM. OUR GOALS WITH THIS PROGRAM ARE: A) TO EDUCATE B) TO DEMONSTRATE AND C) TO PREVENT.IN PARTNERSHIP WITH SOME OF OUR DONORS, WE BRING A VARIETY OF WORKSHOPS TO THE FIRST RESPONDERS THAT WE SERVE AND HELP THEM TO BE MORE EDUCATED ON HOW TO FIND THE RESOURCES THEY NEED FOR THEIR FAMILIES. ALSO, WITH THE HELP OF PROFESSIONALS ON A PANEL STYLE-WORKSHOP, WE DEMONSTRATE HOW TO ACCOMPLISH THEIR FAMILY GOALS, WHETHER FINANCIAL STABILITY, MANAGING THEIR ERRATIC SCHEDULES, OR ANY OTHER NEED THAT THEY MIGHT HAVE. IN ADDITION, WE RAISE AWARENESS WITHIN OUR FIRST RESPONDERS COMMUNITY HOW TO TAKE CARE OF THEIR FAMILIES. WITH THE SHIFT IN PUBLIC SENTIMENT TOWARD LAW ENFORCEMENT, WE ARE ALSO NOW SPONSORING A SPOUSES SUPPORT GROUP IN ADDITION TO THE OTHER OUTREACH PROGRAMS WE HAVE OFFERED IN THE PAST. WHILE THESE PROGRAMS ARE LESS VISIBLE, THEY MAY WELL BE MORE VALUABLE TO OUR FIRST RESPONDERS AND THEIR FAMILIES. DURING FISCAL YEAR 2021-2022, OUR SPOUSE SUPPORT GROUP REALLY HIT IT'S STRIDE, THANKS IN PART TO DEDICATED VOLUNTEERS. WE CURRENTLY HAVE ABOUT 35 FIRST RESPONDER SPOUSES ATTENDING REGULAR MEETINGS.

MUCH OF FISCAL YEAR 2021/2022 WAS SPENT PROMOTING AND TEACHING A NEW PROGRAM CALLED NO BELT REQUIRED. THE PROGRAM LAUNCHED IN APRIL OF 2022 (FISCAL YEAR 2021/2022). THE MISSION OF THIS NEW PROGRAM IS TO PROVIDE EXPERT REPETITIVE DEFENSIVE TACTICS TRAINING. IT IS THE MOST EFFECTIVE WAY; COST, TIME, AND CONFIDENCE-WISE, TO INCORPORATE PROVEN DE-ESCALATION TACTICS AND HABITS INTO ACTIVE DUTY LAW ENFORCEMENT AND FIRST RESPONDERS, WITH THE ULTIMATE GOAL OF SAVING OFFICER AND COMMUNITY MEMBER LIVES WHILE ENHANCING EFFECTIVE COMMUNITY POLICING AND GROWING PUBLIC TRUST. WE CURRENTLY HAVE 25 REGULARLY ATTENDING MEMBERS, 15 DEDICATED COACHES AND HAVE ESTABLISHED COMMUNITY AFFILIATIONS WITH SEVERAL MARTIAL ARTS STUDIOS. IN ADDITION, THE TEAM CONTINUES TO REACH OUT TO TUCSON, ORO VALLEY, MARANA, SAHUARITA AND TRIBAL LAW ENFORCEMENT DEPARTMENTS TO BRING THIS TRAINING TO EVERYONE WHO WILL BENEFIT FROM IT.