Stories

Heart Health Month, An Impact Story From Britney

After experiencing a heart attack in 2023, Britney began thinking differently about her health. For her, heart health isn’t just physical. “To me, heart health means taking care of both your body and your emotions,”...

His Work Was Done: Caring for Don Gilberto 

Don Gilberto de la Cruz spent his life working with his hands… even after a tragic accident took one from him.  From a young age, Don Gilberto supported his family as a carpenter in rural Guatemala....

The Power of Food: Why Our Nutrition Programs Are About More Than Hunger

I’ve spent most of my career in kitchens where the goal was perfection on a plate. At Advance Community, that focus shifts toward people, community, and the deeper impact food can have. As the Nutrition...

Hope in Motion

Dignity Restored for the Mendozas

Every day, the Mendoza family woke up to the same worries, especially on rainy days. Would their old, crumbling latrine hold up? Or would the wastewater overflow again, running toward the nearby stream that the...

A Healthier School for Jhonatan

Something as basic as a clean, working bathroom has had a remarkable impact on this school and community. School attendance is up; illnesses are down; and learning is easier. Every day at school, Jhonatan faced...

When Love Isn’t Enough: Diego’s Rescue Story

The moment Nayeli first laid eyes on her newborn son, she knew something was terribly wrong. Fear instantly settled into her young heart.  Little Diego was born with a cystic hygroma, a rare growth on his neck that made swallowing and eating...

Courage and Connection for Laura

Every week, Laura sat quietly at the back of the classroom, notebook open, pen in hand. She never missed a session of Advance Community’s Salud con Sabor Latino class, but she rarely spoke. While others...

A Stronger Voice for Kathy

It was her mom who originally encouraged her to join Show Up!, a public health training program that helps high school students explore health careers through learning and real-world experiences. Kathy was intrigued by the...

Giving with Impact: Making the Most of Your Arizona Tax Credit 

As the year draws to a close, I always find myself reflecting on the work we do here at Advance, and all the moments where compassion and generosity have been able to change a life. Working alongside my wonderful coworkers, I have the privilege of seeing the ripple effects of support that our donors...

New Steps for Alicia

High in the mountains of Cusco, Peru, in a small village surrounded by winding dirt roads, a young mother cradled her newborn baby girl. Tears of joy mingled with fear for little Alicia’s future. Born...

A Healthier Future for Anthony

Sometimes change begins with something small, like writing your name on a signup sheet. When Anthony first joined I Choose Wellness in third grade, he wasn’t really thinking about his health. He just wanted a...