June Volunteer Newsletter * Tu Nidito

Welcome Rachael!

Hello, I’m Rachael, and I’m so honored to join the Tu Nidito team. I’ve only been on campus for a short time, but I already have a sense of how special this place is. As I walk the halls and through the patio areas, the gratitude and loving memories on display wrap their arms around me like a hug. The trees are filled with songbirds and butterflies that soothe me and invite me to stop and exhale. And then there’s the people welcoming me around every corner. It’s starting to feel like home.

I’ve spent my adult life in Tucson, and caring for others in our community is one of my core values. I’ve been privileged to advocate for children in foster care, care for rescue animals, read to children, and serve as ground crew for children taking flight. And I believe in the power of volunteering – it’s the reason I met and adopted two of my four children. I know volunteers truly change lives, and I know you, our Tu Nidito volunteers, are doing just that.

There are many opportunities in Tucson to volunteer, and I thank you for being brave and stepping into this sacred place to bear witness to our children and families.

In the coming months, I will be stopping by to join you at groups in the evenings as I continue to learn about you and the work you do here at Tu Nidito. Please reach out if you need anything – my door is always open. I’d love to hear your stories and how I can support you. I look forward to meeting you.

Sincerely,

Rachael Blackketter

Coordinator of Volunteer Services

A Message from Brigid:

Dear Wonderful Tu Nidito Volunteers,

A new opportunity has presented itself in my life, an opportunity that is also a huge change. My husband Daniel and I have the chance to begin to live our lives a bit differently by spending extended periods of time in Seattle. We lived in Seattle while I attended graduate school and it is a place that holds our hearts. This started as something we dreamed about and we now have the opportunity to make it our reality. This means that I have decided to step away from Tu Nidito. This is a huge decision in my life and one that I agonized over for quite a long time. While it feels exciting to know that I will be starting a new chapter, it will be without Tu Nidito, and that feels deeply sad. Tu Nidito has been a part of me since 2007. My heart is here and I know part of it always will be. I hope I can connect with you all in one way or another before my last day of June 30. I deeply value you all, this place, and the work we have done together.

Head Wishes and Heart Wishes.

Sincerely,

Brigid Frasquillo

Director of Program Impact

Volunteer Kudos

For all of our volunteers who graduated in May - congratulations! We are so happy for you and proud of you!

Thank you to the three Geico volunteers who joined us for teen night

For volunteering at Teen Night and making it such a success!

Lisa Antkow, Nelson Daou Jr., Davya Cohen, Ricky Sanchez, Lorriane Perez and Kathy Hager

For subbing in nearly every support group during the month of June!

Jasmine Thomas

For Volunteering at The Remarkable Celebration!

Ava Stabbert Morgan McGurk Michelle Valenzuela Phoebe Carlson
Ricky Sanchez Isabella DiPonio Tom Messmore Ivanna Sanchez
Kathy Hagar and her husband Teena Sandstrom Pamela Traficanti

The Spotlight

Dina Rosengartner

I had the opportunity to talk with Dina about her connection to Tu Nidito and the why behind her volunteer commitment. She is simply amazing! Dina has a MSW (Master’s Degree of Social Work) and 33 years of experience in the field of behavioral health. She currently manages an outpatient clinic for CODAC, but that is not what brought her to volunteer with Tu Nidito.

15 years ago, Dina’s husband died, and she and her three children found their way to Tu Nidito. The time they spent here changed their lives. They attended support groups for 4 years. Tu Nidito gave each one of them a sense of community, providing a sacred and safe space to share their thoughts and feelings. Her children, Michaela (26), Rachel (24), and Trey (22) loved coming to Tu Nidito. After group, they would go to Baskin Robbins and share their experiences and decompress. Tu Nidito became a family ritual for connection and healing.

Fast forward to pre-Covid, Dina found that she had some extra time and decided to return to Tu Nidito to give back some of what she got from her time as a client. She knew first hand the impact Tu Nidito had on her family and wanted to help others travel their grief journey with the support of Tu Nidito. She loved that each of her children had their special support group and that she too could get support from adults, just like her, who were grieving as they helped their children navigate their own personal grief.

I asked Dina what helped the most.

“I had a voice and people truly listened and heard me,” she said. “Life moves on and at the end of the day, there is no-one left but you.”

At Tu Nidito she found other adults experiencing just that feeling and powerful connections were made.

As an adult support group facilitator, Dina hears her voice in those caregivers she supports. Sharing that they too appreciate a place to gather, to be heard and understood. Her group attendees are so happy to be at Tu Nidito. Dina clarified, “not happy in terms of being happy” however still happy in a sense.

Dina’s adult children are still very connected to Tu Nidito. Her oldest daughter, Michaela volunteered with Tu Nidito prior to moving to New York. Rachel, her middle child, is a current volunteer, having just graduated from the University of Arizona with a degree in Public Health.

I am honored to share Dina’s story with you all. You can learn more about her and her work in this article.

Debbie Rich

Director of Philanthropy and Communications

Welcome New Volunteers!

Summer Self-Care

Here is a summer list of things to do to decompress—and avoid the heat!

1. Splash and relax at a local pool. Check out this Tucson’s list of pools.
2. Stay hydrated this summer. Water isn’t your favorite drink? Explore other hydrating drinks.
3. Enjoy time with friends and family—without the heat! Discover indoor activities and places to visit here.
4. Treat yourself to a sweet frozen dessert! Here’s a recipe to make homemade ice cream without using a machine.
5. Cuddle in a cold blanket. You read that right, here are some cold blankets you can try to cool off during the summer.