Bethany Durham

Catholic Charities staff in Flagstaff, Ariz. collected and distributed gifts to clients in the Housing Services program, thanks to the generosity of donors and community partners. Individuals and families received gift cards, new shoes, toys, scarves, stockings, hygiene items and other goodies.

Kristine hadn’t been using for long and didn’t think she had a problem. But when her addiction to substances led to the removal of her daughter from the home, she knew she had to change. She began working with Arizona Families F.I.R.S.T. (Families in Recovery Succeeding Together) and now has a job, her daughter back and a new outlook on life.

Serra's struggle with addiction landed her in jail and left her reeling from the removal of her daughter. With the help of the Arizona Families F.I.R.S.T. (Families in Recovery Succeeding Together) program, which assists parents with addiction to substances who are referred by DCS in obtaining sobriety, she is now sober and has regained custody of her daughter.

Being raised in a community that valued faith and action, Jesse and Adam knew they wanted to become foster parents even before they had biological children. In November 2021, they finalized their adoption of three siblings. “It changed everything and changed nothing. You know this is the relationship that you’ve chosen, that God’s giving you,” said Jesse.