Tu Nidito

Dueling Pianos 2026: Join Us for an Evening of Excitement and Music!

tnAdmin — Sun, 21 Jun 2026 23:24:16 +0000

DUELING PIANOS: FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 18, 2026 AT THE GRAND TUCSON

33 S 6TH STREET TUCSON ARIZONA 85701

DOORS OPEN 6:00 p.m. | SHOW STARTS 7:00 p.m.

The Duel will be held in a theater in the round at The Grand Tucson. Individual tickets are $100 including a mouth-watering Mexican buffet. Doors will open at 6:00 p.m. Drinks will be available all evening at the cash bar.

Tip and request your favorite songs by the talented duo from AZ Dueling Pianos. Get ready to enjoy a fun and competitive show; the more tipping you give, the more control you have over what music plays! All tipping proceeds bring hope to Tu Nidito children and their families grieving a serious medical condition or death.

Dueling Pianos Highlights

THANK YOU TO OUR DUELING PIANO SPONSORS!

Enter the 2026 Jim Click Millions for Tucson Raffle and Support Grieving Children and Their Families

tnAdmin — Sat, 20 Jun 2026 17:00:16 +0000

2026 Jim Click Millions for Tucson Raffle

Participating in the Jim Click Raffle helps us create a community of acceptance and understanding for those grieving a serious medical condition or death. Thank you, Jim Click! Together we will ensure No Child Grieves Alone. Tickets for the 2026 raffle are now on sale, and the drawing takes place on December 10th. Entrants will have a chance to win one of three great prizes:

NEW 2026 Nissan Frontier Pro-X4 Roush Edition®
Two round-trip, first class airline tickets to anywhere in the world
$5000 cash

Tickets cost $25 each or 5 for $100, and all proceeds for tickets purchased below are retained by Tu Nidito. Funds raised for Tu Nidito by the Jim Click Millions for Tucson Raffle will support our programs that offer one-on-one individual support for children with a serious medical condition, their siblings, family members, and caregivers; and bereavement support groups for children, teens, and young adults grieving a death.

Here at Tu Nidito we know an individual’s grief never truly ends, and we are here to help each person support become the expert in their own grief. We are grateful for your support.

Purchase your 2026 raffle tickets here.

Full Circle: Chase Lock’s Tu Nidito Journey

Brie Seward — Fri, 19 Jun 2026 20:01:49 +0000

Volunteer Spotlight: Chase Lock

At the age of two, Monday 2 Littles facilitator Chase Lock was diagnosed with a brain tumor, specifically Childhood Choroid Plexus Carcinoma (CPC). While other toddlers were learning to walk, he was undergoing chemotherapy and radiation. At five, he experienced a relapse and spent ten months living at Phoenix Children’s Hospital, once again undergoing intensive treatment. He remembers it as a period when he “lived in a hospital,” often traveling out of state for specialized care.

Middle school coincided with the COVID-19 pandemic, adding another layer of disruption as he began learning online. By eighth grade, his cancer returned for a third time—this time as a salivary gland cancer. He returned to Phoenix for treatment at the Mayo Clinic while continuing to manage his schoolwork and stay connected with classmates. Throughout high school, he worked to maintain academic momentum alongside ongoing medical care.

Chase experienced another relapse requiring surgery in Minnesota to remove his salivary gland. He and his mother then relocated to Minnesota, where he underwent another round of chemotherapy and radiation. During this time, he found comfort in small moments of escape—in a tiny den where he would retreat to play video games on a bean bag chair, watch movies, and read. During his most recent treatment in New York, he created his own version of a nest in his room where he could enjoy what his peers enjoy. A lifelong horror film fan, he found that genre especially helpful in taking his mind off treatment. One of his hospital rooms was even decorated in a Halloween theme, reflecting that passion.

“Through these painful situations, I kept pushing to survive,” Chase says.

Chase and his family were former participants in our Pathways program, where they experienced firsthand the grief and support services offered to families navigating serious medical diagnoses. Today, Chase serves as a facilitator for Monday 2 Littles, consistently showing up ready to play, engage, and hold space for children in the group. Even during parts of 2025 when he was undergoing treatment in New York, he returned to his role whenever he could.

“I remember being that kid,” Chase says. “The kids come in with such heavy hearts. When we are chasing each other, I hear them laugh, and it makes it all worth it.”

Outside of his volunteer work, Chase enjoys catching horror films at AMC Foothills or grabbing a meal at Arby’s. He also has a well-known appreciation for 7-Eleven, where he delights in the variety of snacks and drinks options.

Looking ahead, Chase will begin the Accelerated Pathway to Medical Education (APME) program at the University of Arizona. This seven-year program sets him on a path toward oncology, where he hopes to support patients from the other side of the care experience.

“I want to see patients behind the charts, telling them that I fight for you and with you,” Lock says.

June 2026 Newsletter

Shiloh — Tue, 16 Jun 2026 19:06:14 +0000

Dear Friends of the Nest,

Summer is almost officially here. While schools let out and Southern Arizona heats up, families plan time to relax and recharge together. With Father’s Day later this month, we acknowledge and honor those who have experienced the death of a father or father figure. Fathers who have experienced the death of a child may also struggle more during this time. The approaching holiday and the pressure to take part in summer activities can make it easy for those who are hurting to feel even more isolated.

At Tu Nidito, we know that grief does not take a vacation, so we are always here to be your place for grief support. Whether you are currently enrolled in one of our programs or not, you can reach out for free resources, referrals, or to simply be heard. And if you know someone who is struggling—know, you don’t have to fix everything. You can’t “fix” grief, but there’s so much power in just being present and letting the person in your life know they are not alone.

This coming October marks our 30th anniversary of providing this work in the community—always completely free of charge to families. Like our community depends on us to be the place of comfort and hope they deserve, we depend on the generosity of incredible donors and partners to sustain our programs. To honor our 30th anniversary, an anonymous donor is matching up to $30,000 in endowment donations. Now is the time to invest in our endowment and double your impact. With your support, Tu Nidito will exist for another 30 years and beyond.

In this letter, you will find plenty of additional ways you can have fun and show up for grieving children and their families. On that note, Tu Nidito is currently accepting applications for new board members. If you or someone you know is moved by our mission and wants to make a tremendous difference in the community, contact me directly with your interest at liz@tunidito.org.

With gratitude,

Liz McCusker,

Executive Director

FUN WAYS TO SUPPORT TU NIDITO

Tickets for Dueling Pianos are officially on sale! The Duel will be held in a theater in the round at The Grand Tucson. Individual tickets are $100 and include a mouth-watering buffet. Drinks will be available all evening at the cash bar.

Tip and request your favorite songs by the talented duo from AZ Dueling Pianos. Get ready to enjoy a fun and competitive show; the more tipping you give, the more control you have over what music plays! All tipping proceeds bring hope to Tu Nidito children and their families grieving a serious medical condition or death.

BUY TICKETS

Registration is now open for the 43rd annual El Tour de Tucson, and we are excited to return as a nonprofit beneficiary. Did you know registering as a non-profit rider discounts your fee? If you or someone you know plans to ride the tour and is passionate about supporting grieving children and their families across Southern Arizona, Ride for a Child and join team Tu Nidito! Complete this form, and we will be in touch.

Together, we can raise $25,000 to support children, teens, young adults, caregivers, and their families grieving a serious medical condition or death!

RIDE FOR A CHILD

Purchasing tickets for the Jim Click Millions for Tucson Raffle helps us create a community of acceptance and understanding for those grieving a serious medical condition or death. Thank you, Jim Click! Together we will ensure No Child Grieves Alone. Tickets for the 2026 raffle are now for sale, and the drawing takes place on December 10th, 2026. Entrants will have a chance to win one of three great prizes:

NEW 2026 Nissan Frontier Pro-X4 Roush Edition®
Two round-trip, first class airline tickets to anywhere in the world
$5000 cash

Tickets cost $25 each or 5 for $100, and all proceeds for tickets purchased below are retained by Tu Nidito. Buy yours today.

HAPPENING AROUND THE NEST

Littles (children ages 4–8) in our bereavement support groups will make puppets this month. Through this activity, Littles can use the puppets to help speak on their behalf and express difficult feelings, remember their person who died, share moments when they were brave, and ask questions they might be afraid to ask otherwise. After sharing, the Littles will use their puppets in a shared puppet show.

Creative activities like these are a core principal to meeting children where they are in their grief journey. It is common that at Tu Nidito, children feel safe enough to voice difficult feelings for the first time. When you support a child in their grief, you also support the adult they become. Because we have supported the community for 30 years, we are proud to serve children of parents who attended Tu Nidito at a younger age. With a $30,000 investment committed by a generous donor, now is a critical time to support our endowment and protect access to care for future generations.

GIVE TO THE ENDOWMENT

May 2026 Newsletter

Shiloh — Fri, 01 May 2026 18:56:39 +0000

Dear Friends of the Nest,

This coming October marks thirty years since Tu Nidito (at the time Children’s Hospice) opened its doors to our first client: a one-year-old diagnosed with Cirrhosis who survived only 17 days after entering care. During that first year, we supported 12 families with terminally ill children. Our growth since then has been far reaching serving 1,100 individuals in 2025 through nine distinct services. Each year, as we did back in 1996, we start each budget year at zero and work hard to raise the money it takes to ensure our support services are available to our community at no cost to them as we continue to meet the demand for our still non-competitive services.

Our 30th anniversary provides an opportunity to strengthen our mission — not just for this year, but forever. In 2016 we launched an Endowment. We are building on our Endowment Fund to ensure that Tu Nidito will always be here for our community. Since that time, we have grown our endowment fund to more than $730,000. Our goal is to reach a million dollars before taking a disbursement and applying the roughly $40,000 toward our direct care programming. Our hope is to reach that goal this year — and with your help we can.

We are profoundly grateful to have a donor who believes strongly in our mission and growth of our endowment and has generously agreed to match up to $30,000 in endowment donations in 2026 to honor Tu Nidito’s 30th Anniversary.

We invite you to make a contribution to our Endowment in honor of our anniversary. Your support will allow us to unlock the full $30,000 match and your gift will have double the lasting impact. It will ensure a lasting legacy of Tu Nidito’s work in Southern Arizona. Growth of our Endowment allows us to sustain our services through economic uncertainty, expand thoughtfully, and protect access to care for generations of children and families in the future.

DONATE

With gratitude,

Liz McCusker,

Executive Director

THANK YOU FOR A REMARKABLE EVENING!

Thank you to our sponsors and everyone in our community who made our Remarkable Celebration a tremendous success! Whether you attended, bid on an auction item, donated from afar, or volunteered: your support improves the lives of children, teens, young adults, and their caregivers grieving a serious medical condition or death.

We had a blast seeing everyone decked out in their best Gilligan Island-themed attire, and we hope you did, too. It truly was a fun and heartfelt evening honoring five amazing women: Dr. Liz Almli, Lindsay Knott, Lynda Weigel-Firor, Angelica Sharpe, and Dr. Melissa Zukowski. Thank you for hearing their stories.

Participating in the Jim Click Millions for Tucson Raffle helps us create a community of acceptance and understanding for those grieving a serious medical condition or death. Thank you, Jim Click! Together we will ensure No Child Grieves Alone. Tickets for the 2026 raffle are now for sale, and the drawing takes place on December 10th, 2026. Entrants will have a chance to win one of three great prizes:

NEW 2026 Nissan Frontier Pro-X4 Roush Edition®
Two round-trip, first class airline tickets to anywhere in the world
$5000 cash

Tickets cost $25 each or 5 for $100, and all proceeds for tickets purchased below are retained by Tu Nidito. Buy yours today.

We are honored and grateful to receive the Core Grant from the Community Foundation of Southern Arizona. This generous funding helps us continue providing vital services, resources, advocacy, education, and community support to the individuals and families we serve.

92% of every dollar we raise goes to our programs which we provide completely free of charge—every dollar counts!

Together we are building a stronger, more supportive community for all.

April 2026 Newsletter

Shiloh — Wed, 01 Apr 2026 18:53:06 +0000

Dear Friends of the Nest,

We’re excited to show you something new we’ve added to our “Little Nest.” The Nook is designed for children who benefit from sensory regulation. It’s an intentional space that reflects our commitment to inclusion and accessibility so that children of all abilities and needs feel safe and supported here. April is Autism Acceptance Month—an important reminder that inclusion is not just a choice but an action. This month we have partnered with Intuition Wellness to provide specialized training to our volunteers. Through this collaboration, our volunteers will be equipped to effectively support children in regulating emotions, engaging with peers, and navigating moments of overwhelm with the care they need.

While The Nook has been available only for a couple of group nights so far, we have already received feedback that it has helped some children regulate and transition to a state where they feel safe and comfortable to share. We are incredibly grateful to supporters Mike and Carol Obst who make these advancements possible. Because of them and supporters like you, Tu Nidito is able to rise to Southern Arizona’s growing need for our programs, so that no child grieves alone.

April proves to be a very busy month as we prepare for The Remarkable Celebration on Saturday May 9th, 2026 at the Hilton Econ Conquistador Tucson. We have the stories of five truly amazing women to tell, and GILLIGAN’S ISLAND: The Band will close out the evening with a show you won’t want to miss.

This celebration raises almost 25% of our annual budget, and 92% of every dollar we raise goes directly to our programs. We touch the lives of 2,100+ individuals and support nearly 400 families annually who are grieving a death or diagnosis of a serious medical condition. Tu Nidito is the only agency of its kind in Southern Arizona, and without us, families who need this support would have nowhere else to go. Every ticket sold, every auction item purchased, and every outright gift makes an incredible difference in the lives of grieving children and families—so thank you for doing your part to support them when you buy your tickets today. We can’t wait to see you in your best Ginger or Skipper costume or beachy outfit.

Lastly, there’s still time to claim your 2025 Arizona Charitable Tax Credit! This dollar-for-dollar credit for your donation means you can use your state tax dollars to support Tu Nidito without any additional cost.

With gratitude,

Liz McCusker,

Executive Director

BUY YOUR REMARKABLE TICKETS

Join us for The Remarkable Celebration as we honor five remarkable moms. We celebrate Mothers because they are the heart of our community. Over the past 24 years we have celebrated 126 women who represent the wide diversity of Southern Arizona and come from all walks of life. Each honoree speaks to our mission to create a compassionate community of acceptance and understanding for those grieving a death or serious medical condition. These women are mentors, advocates and role models and share their experiences to help ensure No Child Grieves Alone.

BUY TICKETS

GOING BACK IN TIME TO SEE YOUR PERSON

This month, Littles (age 4-8) enrolled in our Children to Children (CTC) bereavement support groups will travel back in time. Littles will use their imagination to pretend to go to the future or past. They’ll imagine their “best Day” with their person and think about where they would go or why.

This week two Littles who are sisters shared a special moment before going to the “past” to have the best day with their mom. At first they were afraid to see their Mom again, but after some encouragement from the facilitators, they went inside and expressed how grateful they were to go “back in time to see Mom.” They understood that the Time Machine was not real, but the emotions they felt were.

After they used the time machine, the two sisters opened up a lot more and shared new things about their mom.

When you make a donation to Tu Nidito, you show up for children like these two sisters. Your donation of $120 donation today covers the cost to support both of them for an entire month in our Children to Children program.

DONATE

JIM CLICK RAFFLE

NEW 2026 Nissan Frontier Pro-X4 Roush Edition®
Two round-trip, first class airline tickets to anywhere in the world
$5000 cash

Tickets cost $25 each or 5 for $100, and all proceeds for tickets purchased below are retained by Tu Nidito. Buy yours today.

Introducing Your 2026 Remarkable Moms! Join Us May 9, 2026 at The Remarkable Celebration to Honor Them

Geramee Hensley — Mon, 16 Mar 2026 09:15:31 +0000

BUY TICKETS

Wash ashore with us at Hilton El Conquistador Tucson on Saturday May 9, 2026 at 6:00pm for The Remarkable Celebration! We can’t wait to see you in your best beachy attire or business casual outfit. This year we will honor five remarkable moms. We celebrate Mothers because they are the heart of our community. Over the past 24 years we have celebrated 126 women who represent the wide diversity of Southern Arizona and come from all walks of life. Each honoree speaks to our mission to create a compassionate community of acceptance and understanding for those grieving a death or serious medical condition. These women are mentors, advocates and role models and share their experiences to help ensure No Child Grieves Alone.

The evening will feature cocktails, dinner, a silent auction, and live music provided by GILLIGAN’S ISLAND (The Band)!

For sponsorship or silent auction opportunities, email geramee@tunidito.org or call 520-322-9155.

Gilligan's Island: The Band

Meet Your 2026 Remarkable Moms!

Dr. Liz Almli was born and raised in Tucson, Arizona, a place she will always call home. Her healthcare career began as an ICU nurse at the VA Hospital. Although bedside nursing was deeply rewarding, she chose to pursue her dream of becoming a physician and entered medical school. As a single mother, it was challenging to balance the demands of parenting with the intensity of medical training, but she was determined to model perseverance and commitment for her young son. During her anesthesiology residency, she recognized that traditional medical practice structures left little room for family life, particularly for working mothers who were often forced to choose between professional success and being present for their families. Together with a fellow resident, who was also a single mom, they left the security of a large group practice to create their own unique, family-friendly anesthesia group: a space where physicians could job-share, support one another, and prioritize both excellent patient care and meaningful family time.

In 2005, Liz was diagnosed with an aggressive form of breast cancer, a life-altering experience that reshaped her perspective and deepened her understanding of the physical and emotional challenges faced by survivors and their families—especially young mothers navigating treatment and the demands of parenting. As a co-founder and President of the nonprofit Tucson Cancer Conquerors, she has dedicated herself to empowering survivors of all ages to live healthier lives through exercise, nutrition, education, and peer support. Passionate about the role exercise plays in cancer prevention and recovery, she is a Certified Cancer Exercise Trainer and volunteer fitness instructor for TCC. Now more than 20 years cancer-free, she lives life with deep gratitude, cherishing time with her husband and growing family, and feeling profoundly blessed to watch her grandchildren grow.

For more than 25 years, Lynda Weigel-Firor has dedicated her career as an independent consultant and grant writer to strengthening nonprofits and the communities they serve. She chose the flexibility of independent work not for convenience, but out of love, so she could be fully present for her children after her daughter was diagnosed with Autism and her son faced early developmental delays and, later, an ADHD diagnosis. Meeting their needs often meant 20 to 30 hours a week of therapy, advocacy, and unwavering commitment.

Lynda turned her lived experience into service. She became deeply involved with the Autism Society of Southern Arizona, co-leading a Parent Peer Support Group for four years and helping families navigate the often overwhelming journey of raising a child with Autism. She also founded the first fully inclusive Girl Scout troop for neurodivergent girls, co-leading it for a decade and proudly watching her daughter earn her Gold Award. At the same time, she volunteered with the Boy Scouts Catalina Council, where her son achieved the rank of Eagle Scout. Lynda continues her service to the community as a member of the board of Greater Tucson Leadership and is working to solve the affordable housing crisis for adults with Autism through Promoting Independence. She also serves on the Roots and Roads Task Force to explore the creation of a community-based Center for Ritual and Remembrance.

In 2024, Lynda experienced the unimaginable loss of her son, followed by a cancer diagnosis in 2025. Even in the face of profound grief and serious illness, she continues to work, serve, and give back. Her journey has connected her with others, especially mothers walking similar paths, creating spaces of compassion, mutual support, and shared understanding. Through resilience, faith, and community, Lynda continues to transform personal hardship into purpose, helping others find strength, healing, and hope.

Lindsay Knott is the Executive Vice President of Mosaic Quarter, a landmark privately funded sports and entertainment destination transforming Southern Arizona through inclusive growth and visionary leadership. She also serves as Chair of the Board for the Southern Arizona Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and is the Immediate Past President of CREW Tucson, where she has championed economic empowerment, opportunity, and the advancement of women in commercial real estate.

Her leadership has been recognized with honors including Tucson Lifestyle’s Woman Visionary, 40 Under 40, Woman of Influence – Outstanding Entrepreneur, and NextGen Rising Star Leader. Known for her ability to unite sectors, elevate community voices, and lead with conviction, Lindsay is a respected force in both business and civic life.

Yet the role she treasures most is being a mother. Lindsay is the proud mom of three children—Rebekah (27), Savannah Kay (22), and Mason (15)—and three cherished bonus children, Clara (22), Trey (20), and Charleigh (17). A survivor of domestic violence, she has fought fiercely to protect her children and navigate the court system in pursuit of safety and justice. Most recently, her strength as a mother has been tested as she walked beside her eldest daughter through a cancer diagnosis and life-changing surgery. Above all else, motherhood is Lindsay’s greatest calling—one defined by courage, advocacy, and unwavering love.

Angelica Sharpe is a Tucson native whose life is rooted in family, faith, and community. A devoted wife and mother of three daughters, she approaches motherhood with grace, intention, and selflessness. Known for her authenticity and compassion, Angelica has a natural ability to create meaningful connections and leads her family with love, resilience, and an unwavering commitment to putting others first.

Angelica is the founder of Lainy’s Light Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting children fighting pediatric cancer and their families. Through hands on outreach, advocacy, and community partnerships, she works to bring comfort, hope, and encouragement to families navigating some of life’s most difficult moments. Her passion for service and deep empathy for others continue to make a meaningful impact throughout the Tucson community.

Dr. Melissa Zukowski is a dedicated and accomplished healthcare professional with a career deeply rooted in her academic journey at the University of Arizona. She completed her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology in 2001 and went on to earn both her medical degree and a Master’s in Public Health, with a focus on maternal and child health, from the University of Arizona College of Medicine. Melissa has carved out a career that seamlessly integrates her dual board certifications in Emergency Medicine and Pediatrics. Her early career highlights include directing the Pediatric Emergency Department at Tucson Medical Center and contributing significantly to the Adult and Pediatric Emergency Departments at Banner University Medical Center – Tucson. Her leadership skills have been recognized through her recent promotion to Clinical Professor and her current role as Senior Director, Associate Chief Medical Officer. In this capacity, she is passionate about enhancing hospital operations, spearheading quality and safety projects, and fostering an exemplary healthcare environment for both patients and her teams.

Beyond her professional accolades, Dr. Zukowski is deeply engaged in quality improvement and the prevention of childhood traumatic injuries. Her commitment to these causes is evident through her work with the Drowning Prevention Coalition of Arizona and her role as Co-Chair of the Arizona AAP Pediatric Prepared Emergency Center Steering Committee. Her journey with Tu Nidito began in 2000 as a volunteer, where she spent seven years supporting children and families dealing with serious illness and grief, profoundly influencing her pre-medical career. Melissa’s personal life is equally rewarding; she loves traveling, attending sporting events, and cherishing moments with her family. Married to Tom and mother to their amazing daughter, Sophia, she delights in watching Sophia excel academically and athletically, embodying the spirit of a supportive and remarkable mom.

Thank You to Our Sponsors!

S.S. Minnow

The Skipper

The Castaway

The Radio

March 2026 Newsletter

Shiloh — Sun, 01 Mar 2026 18:35:17 +0000

Dear Friends of the Nest,

March is National Social Work Month, a time to honor the essential work performed by social workers out in the community. We would like to extend special recognition to the social workers we partner with throughout Southern Arizona. These social workers entrust us with their own clients for extra support. We honor their dedication to help infants, children, and families cope with the stress and trauma resulting from the diagnosis of a serious medical condition or death. And today, we also express gratitude to our Program Director Amanda Marks, MSW whose expertise is instrumental to the work we do. Together, we all share a mission and vision to create a compassionate community of acceptance and understanding for those grieving a serious medical condition or death, so that no child grieves alone.

Since its beginning, Tu Nidito has committed itself to supporting children with serious medical conditions and their families. Our Pathways program has flourished from that commitment. Pathways provides one-on-one support for families with a child who has a serious medical condition. Our support specialists meet families at Tu Nidito, hospitals, their homes, or another location in the community. The family’s plan of care is completely customized and scheduled to accommodate their needs. We support the child, caregivers, and siblings who may feel neglected. Pathways is the only program in Southern Arizona of its kind. For many families, it will be the only support they receive designed with the singular purpose to meet their needs related to grief throughout the medical journey.

To understand the heart of this program, let us tell you about Jimmy Busey. At the age of 5, Jimmy was diagnosed with a primitive neuroectodermal tumor, and throughout the illness, his devoted mother, Teri, often made him a comfort corner on his family sectional couch, calling the space “his little nest.” Teri made sure this space was always there for Jimmy throughout his medical treatments. Jimmy died right before the end of first grade. To honor him, and the space Teri made—we became Tu Nidito—your little nest—to convey the spirit of what we do. In the tragic outcome a child dies while in our Pathways program, we continue to support the family, and we do all of this completely free of charge.

We need your help to continue this work. While the program is free for participants, it costs Tu Nidito $350 to support a family for one month. When you give to Tu Nidito, whether you are purchasing a ticket to an event or making an outright donation, 92% of every dollar we receive goes directly to our programs—to support children like Jimmy.

In the spirit of that support, tickets are now for sale for our annual gala, The Remarkable Celebration. On Saturday May 9th, 2026 we will honor five exceptional women whose lives speak to our mission. At the gala, we will enjoy an elegant dinner, GILLIGAN’S ISLAND (The Band) will provide the music, and we will share our honorees’ stories—so please join us for what is sure to be a fun, memorable, and heartfelt evening.

With gratitude,

Liz McCusker,

Executive Director

BUY YOUR REMARKABLE TICKETS

While we celebrate five outstanding moms in the community who advocate and live out Tu Nidito’s mission, GILLIGAN’S ISLAND: The Band will take us on an unforgettable voyage. Bring your best beachy attire!

The evening will feature a silent auction with plenty of enticing items up for bid. To learn more about sponsorship opportunities or to help make the auction a huge success, contact Geramee Hensley.

BUY TICKETS

PATHWAYS TO HOPE AND RESILIENCE

A child enrolled in our Pathways program has experienced body and appearance changes throughout her chemotherapy treatments. These changes can have negative impacts on a child’s self-image, confidence, and desire to participate in school and other positive social activities. Her Support Specialists at Tu Nidito designed this activity just for her called “Mirror-Mirror.” At Tu Nidito, she feels safe to express what she loves about herself. After she writes on the mirror, she creatively represents this love by drawing on the therapy doll.

While children share their vulnerabilities at Tu Nidito, they also share a lot of joy. This child’s mom shared that “[she’s] doing MUCH better. She’s even attended an after school dance this week and had a lot of fun!”

When you make a donation to Tu Nidito, you show up for children like her. Your donation of $350 donation today covers the cost to support one family for an entire month in our Pathways program.

DONATE

THANK YOU AND WELCOME TO NEW VOLUNTEERS

We simply could not touch the lives of over 2,000 individuals annually without the compassion of our dedicated volunteers. We welcome new volunteers every year and are so grateful to those who have been working with us for over one and sometimes two decades!

Learn more about volunteer opportunities here.

Finding Purpose Through Grief: Ariella Duarte’s Journey with Tu Nidito

Brie Seward — Fri, 27 Feb 2026 21:44:16 +0000

On support group nights at Tu Nidito, you’ll often find Ariella Duarte laughing with children in the Littles and Middles groups, kneeling beside them during an activity, or quietly offering encouragement to a fellow facilitator. Her warmth is immediate and steady — the kind that helps children feel safe without needing many words. Ariella became aware of Tu Nidito after she was personally impacted. In 2020, when she was just 14 years old, her mother, Tiffany Inez Duarte, died. Raised by her single mother in a close, loving home, Ariella suddenly found herself navigating life without her biggest source of comfort.

She was told about Tu Nidito when her mom died and came back years later as a facilitator. Ariella is now a Littles Facilitator on Tuesday 1 and a Middles Facilitator on Tuesday 2. Today, she lives with her aunt and extended family, carrying forward the love her mother gave her. Some of Ariella’s favorite memories are simple ones: weekends spent exploring new food spots, sharing ice cream, window shopping, and talking about everything and nothing at all. “Weekends were our time,” she reflects. “It was our downtime to create memories.” Those ordinary moments are the ones she misses most. Grief shaped Ariella in ways she continues to understand. It also informs how she shows up for the children she serves.

“One thing I’ve learned working with children is to never say, ‘I know how you feel,’” Ariella shares. “I can understand, but we can never truly know exactly how someone feels in that moment. I do know what it feels like to wish you had another chance—another moment to say the things you didn’t get to say.” That insight—compassionate, honest, and developmentally aware—is what makes her such a powerful presence in the group.

Now a double major in Human Development and Family Science and Psychology, Ariella is pursuing a path toward becoming a school counselor. Growing up in a low-income community with a single parent and later experiencing a sudden death sparked her interest in understanding how environmental and life factors shape young people.

“My mom’s death made me interested in school psychology and becoming a school counselor,” she says. “It made me realize how real and unpredictable death is. You never know when it will happen. I know my mom would want me to live fully, and I’m grateful to have family and friends supporting me.” Throughout her academic journey, Ariella has connected with peers who have also experienced death. She encourages others to have hard conversations with loved ones while they can — to say what matters now.

This spring, Ariella deepened her commitment to Tu Nidito by stepping into an internship role. In addition to facilitating groups, she helps prepare materials and spaces for support nights, represented Tu Nidito at the University of Arizona Pre-Health Fair, and works behind the scenes to ensure families feel welcomed and cared for during our group nights. One of the most meaningful experiences for her is Tu Nidito’s annual Día de los Muertos gathering.

Each October, families come together to honor their loved ones — sharing favorite foods, telling stories, and remembering publicly. Ariella chose to share about her mother during the celebration. Afterward, several families approached her to express gratitude for her openness. “It meant so much,” she recalls. “To be able to speak about my mom — and to know it connected with the participants.”

Outside of Tu Nidito, Ariella still finds a connection to her mother in small rituals. She loves putting together puzzles — an activity they once enjoyed together — and now shares that tradition with her four-year-old cousin. She cherishes time with her boyfriend, and she’s endlessly curious about true crime, pop culture, and politics — especially where those worlds intersect. While balancing her volunteer commitment with two jobs at the University of Arizona, she remains consistently present, engaged, curious and always smiling.

Ariella often says that her mom’s death taught her how temporary life can be. That awareness fuels the way she shows up — present, intentional, and compassionate. With her bright smile, thoughtful spirit, and deep empathy, Ariella embodies the heart of Tu Nidito: turning personal grief into connection and support for others.

From Neighbor to Facilitator: Nelson Daou’s Tu Nidito Story

Brie Seward — Fri, 16 Jan 2026 18:15:37 +0000

One evening in 2007, Nelson Daou heard sounds drifting over the wall of his home. On the other side, children at Tu Nidito were playing outside, gathering together night after night in a space created just for them. Curious and inspired by what he heard, Nelson thought to himself, I could be a part of that and give back to my community.

Motivated by that simple realization, Nelson applied to become a volunteer at Tu Nidito. What began as a desire to help soon grew into a long-term commitment. He started facilitating multiple support group nights, learning alongside families and fellow facilitators, the power of simply showing up and being present.

Now, in 2026, Nelson co-facilitates the Wednesday Group 1 teen group. His connection to the teens is deeply personal. His father died after a three-year cancer battle, and Nelson knows firsthand what it feels like without a parent present for life’s milestones. That lived experience allows him to relate to the teens with authenticity and empathy.

“I feel that I can help the teens along and help them feel like they aren’t the only ones who are going through it,” said Daou. “Someone who has an idea of what they’re feeling.”

Outside of Tu Nidito, Nelson is a mathematician who often rides his bike to work. He is a husband and father of two middle schoolers and values time spent with his family. Together, they enjoy community traditions such as Winterhaven, ZooLights, and holiday gatherings—moments that highlight the importance of connection and shared experiences.

Through his years of volunteering, Nelson has seen the impact of Tu Nidito’s support groups again and again. He shared that while we can’t ease the pain of grief, having a safe space where individuals feel heard, seen, and supported is vital to the healing journey. Those small moments of connection can make a lasting difference.

When asked what advice he would offer to new facilitators, Nelson keeps it simple: listen. He emphasizes that silence is not something to fear and that children should never be pressured to share before they are ready. Time, patience, and presence, he believes, are the most meaningful tools.

Nelson describes Tu Nidito as a special place where the community comes together to support every family that walks through its doors.

“I get as much out of it as families do,” said Daou. “My greatest advice for new facilitators is to just be there and listen. There are no magic words—just sit beside someone.”