The Copa Magazine's Fun Guide To Do Good Vol.1 | Page 16

AAI will do more than provide temporary shelter for women experiencing domestic violence. They also provide pet care and legal services, because as Anderson puts it, the organization wants to “remove barriers”. Too often victims
of abuse are caught making difficult choices and end up following back into
the same patterns.
The Maricopa Police Department says they received 410 calls in 2013 related
to domestic violence, and by December of this year, they received 496 calls.
“The shelter is a great resource to have in Maricopa and has been needed for
some time now,” said Steve Stahl, Chief of Police for the City of Maricopa.
“We will use that resource to its fullest, however this is one of many resources
needed in this area.”
13 families are scheduled for “adoption”. The 6,000 square feet custom-built
facility will care and assist by getting them into a safe and stable environment.
The facility will primarily operate off the money raised at the February 28,
Seeds of Change Gala. Up until this year, the money raised at the Gala had
gone towards construction costs, but now that the doors will open, there will
be a new goal of making sure the shelter has what it needs to operate.
“I see this as ‘this is when our real work begins’,” Anderson said. “We have to
keep it open and provide the services for the families.”
Hosted by Harrah’s Ak-Chin Casino, the Seeds of Change Gala has become
“The Event” where Maricopians can step out of their work boots and get
slicked up for the formal affair. Part of this year’s celebration is to recognize
the businesses that have contributed since the dream first started.
“We want to show some appreciation for all the love, devotion, and commitment these businesses have shown to the City of Maricopa, and for making this
community stronger,” Anderson said. “For me, that is what is the most joy, to
see all these people responding at the drop of a dime to help and to see these
partnerships being developed, creating a backbone for the community.”
After ten years in the making, Anderson says everything worked out as it was
meant to be. From dealing with flood zone setbacks, financial and construction hurdles, she says the time has only made for a stronger foundation, and
she isn’t referring to the building itself. Anderson says there are moments she
tears up when she thinks about it. Whether it is remembering volunteers writing inspirational messages on the rafters, or to think it has been ten “extraordinary” years of working for a common goal and seeing people come together—
Anderson says she will remain “in awe” of how a vision that was first sketched

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COPA JanFeb ‘15