Edkey - Children First Academy - Tempe, a Sequoia Ranch school and part of Sequoia Schools, is a school for homeless and underprivileged children in the East Valley. We go to extraordinary lengths to fill the needs of homeless children in Arizona. We pick up students from shelters and temporary housing to attend our school each day. We offer meals and Character Counts programming, organize volunteer health and dental care, have clothing rooms and organize food drives for our families. We have amazing teachers who give our students the individual care they are often lacking at home. They teach to the highest academic standards. We reach out to the community and ask for your help in our efforts to put homeless children first in Arizona.
TRANSPORTATION
We go to extraordinary lengths to fill the needs of homeless children in Arizona. We pick up students from shelters and temporary housing to attend our school each day. There are no boundaries when it comes to the needs of children of homeless families. Bus routes are changed on a daily basis to accommodate the transitional lifestyle of these families. This unique service allows the school the opportunity to provide a consistent learning environment and stability that is often lacking in other areas of the students lives.
FOOD and CLOTHING
All students are provided a nutritionally balanced breakfast and lunch. Snacks are also provided during the day. Food boxes are given to families when there is little or no food at home.
Through community donations, children are able to receive hygiene kits, clothing, and shoes during a monthly visit to the clothing room.
SOCIAL SERVICES and MEDICAL CARE
Outreach staff provides referrals to social service agencies and helps break down the barriers that prevent families from accessing these services.
Students are provided proper medical and dental care through a partnership with Phoenix Children Hospital and Community Dental. These services include immunizations, health screening including vision and hearing assessments, and dental referrals.