Burned Out? You Might Have Compassion Fatigue
May 26, 2021
To undertake the noble task of being a mental health hero and providing care to people who have experienced severe forms of trauma, it’s important to have compassion....
SWK Employee Horacio Necoechea Wins “Spirit of Free Arts” Award
May 27, 2020
In February, Horacio Necoechea stood on stage at Free Arts’ annual partner agency conference and accepted the “Spirit of Free Arts” award along with the original artwork Vision by Oliverio Balcells. ...
Brothers Bond With a Little Help From Coco the Emotional Support Dog
January 27, 2020
Brothers Samuel and Diego, 14 and 16 years old, came to the United States from Guatemala. While they were in the care of another shelter, they experienced two failed reunifications that left them both feeling hopeless and upset. They thought they were never going to be unified with a sponsor....
Meet the Casa Padre Emotional Support Dog Team
November 25, 2019
At Casa Padre not all of the staff walk on two legs. Eight dogs make up the on-site Emotional Support Team. This program began with an idea from Jeissa Melendez. In addition to her work as a clinician at Southwest Key Programs, Jeissa also specializes in the human-animal bond and volunteers with her therapy dog,...
Guitarists Shine at Special Performance
September 23, 2019
Over the summer in 2019, Carlos Urtey, a musician and actor, came to Casa Lighthouse to teach youth how to play the guitar....
Camaraderie and Creativity Through Cooking
September 23, 2019
Nothing brings people together like food and friendship. Southwest Key Programs partnered with Free Arts, a hands-on art programming provider in Phoenix, Arizona, to use the healing powers of the arts to inspire and comfort children in our care. ...
The Role Art Therapy Plays in Shelters
September 18, 2019
Through many different outlets – music, painting, drawing, acting, dancing and more – children in our care can express themselves, communicate traumatic memories in a safe manner and continue their healing process....