ElIndeNews.com

A non-profit organization is rising to the challenge of completing the San Agustín Mission Gardens, a project that was halted due to a lack of funds. The gardens, located along the west bank of the Santa Cruz River, were started in early 2000 as part of Tucson’s Rio Nuevo project.

However, the city manager put a hold on the project last May, said Peg Weber of Tucson Parks and Recreation.

The cultural vibe of the neighborhoods surrounding South Park Avenue recently received an economic boost.

Two grants were awarded to the South Park community by People, Resources and Organizations in Support of Neighborhoods. A $5,000 grant was given to the South Park Arts and Culture Center and a $4,850 grant to the South Park Neighbors.

Mobile Meals of Tucson celebrates its 40th birthday this year. Since 1970, the volunteer-based organization has delivered two meals a day, five days a week to Tucson's homebound in need of special diets.

Jeanne Miller, volunteer and public relations coordinator, said Mobile Meals delivers food Monday through Friday to more than 200 people between the ages of 21 and 101.

Miller said all meals are prepared at local hospitals in accordance with a doctor-prescribed diet specific to each individual's needs. Some of the special diets may be low in salt, heart healthy or include soft foods for those who have difficulty chewing.

Volunteer drivers deliver meals to the same eight clients a day to form a relationship with the people, Miller said. She said it is important for both the clients and their families that they do "well checks."

The volunteers are trained to recognize warning signs vital to clients' well-being. Miller said volunteers have saved clients' lives before by finding that a client has fallen, recognizing signs of depression or noticing that clients are not eating their meals.

Many of their clients live alone, Miller said, and the Mobile Meals service allows them to maintain independence.

"We're trying to give them that dignity and enable them to stay in their homes," she said.

For survivors of sexual assault or domestic violence, it can often feel like there is nowhere to turn and no resources to access.

It’s even worse for an undocumented immigrant who speaks only Spanish.

Those in this position are often deprived of the therapy, support and legal services needed to heal.
Providing these essential services is the central mission of Su Voz Vale, an organization in South Tucson that is a subsidiary of the Southern Arizona Center Against Sexual Assault.  

Tucson Urban League is offering emergency help with heating bills to low-income families in need of assistance in the South Tucson area. 

A family must have an income lower than 200 percent of the federal poverty level in order to qualify for assistance. For example, a family of four will only qualify if they make under $3,675 a month. 

Tough economic times don’t have to take a toll on your family’s Christmas cheer. The following events and organizations can provide food and gift-giving assistance this holiday season.

Every Monday, Clinica Amistad offers free primary and preventive healthcare to those without insurance at the WIC office near Southside Presbyterian Church.

The Primavera Foundation and the Downtown Tucson Partnership are joining together to build an affordable housing project.

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 The Tucson Urban League’s Case Management programs lend a helping hand to those who never thought they’d need it.

These programs offer assistance with payments on utilities and housing and are available for any Tucson resident who is a U.S. citizen and meets thel income requirements.