Scottsdale group helps families in need participate in preschool and afterschool programs

At the Valley of the Sun Jewish Community Campus, programs cater to everyone from preschool kids to active older adults.

The center, located near Sweetwater and Scottsdale roads in Scottsdale, provides classrooms, education, health and fitness facilities and more. And leaders of the nonprofit want it all to be available to as many people as possible.

"Our goal is to try to not turn anyone away who is in need of financial assistance for our programs and services," said development director Andrea Quen.

To help with that, the group received a $7,500 Season for Sharing grant last year to help struggling families participate in the early childhood center and afterschool programs.

The Scottsdale based group opened in 2002 to help meet the needs of the surrounding community. The campus serves more than 100,000 individuals of all ages through classes, services and events.

Summer camp and afterschool programs are offered to children from grades K-10 where youth can take swimming and archery lessons, yoga and STEM classes.

VSJCC offers group fitness classes, personal training and a Parkinson’s workout program. The fitness center is a 50,000 square-foot-facility with a heated pool, Pilates equipment and indoor basketball court.

The 2021 Season for Sharing campaign raised $1.8 million for 164 Arizona charities. The annual grant-making effort was created in 1993 by The Arizona Republic/azcentral. Since then, more than $72 million has been donated to charities around the state that help struggling children and families, older adults and students and teachers.

Donations to Season for Sharing are accepted year-round at sharing.azcentral.com or by texting "SHARING" to 91-999.

Roxanne De La Rosa covers Arizona's nonprofit community. Reach her at rdelarosa@azcentral.com

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Scottsdale group helps families access daycare, afterschool programs