For nearly half a century, two organizations—Crisis Nursery and Child Crisis Center—walked parallel paths in Phoenix and Mesa, dedicated to protecting children. When they merged as Child Crisis Arizona, they amplified their impact.
Today, Child Crisis Arizona is a beacon of safety and healing. From emergency shelter and foster care to early education and prevention, we provide stability and hope to families. As we celebrate 50 years, we honor the children, families, volunteers, and staff who make this possible, and we look forward to the next 50 years of continued impact.
Crisis Nursery is established in Phoenix by Dr. Kipp Charlton, a pediatrician deeply committed to child abuse prevention and family support.
Crisis Nursery opens its first shelter with two cottages on Fillmore Street, caring for six children at a time.
Child Crisis Center is founded in Mesa by the Mahnah Club, opening with seven shelter beds and a $60,000 annual budget.
Crisis Nursery is relocated to a purpose-built children’s shelter near Maricopa Medical Center, expanding capacity to serve 36 children from birth to age 10.
Crisis Nursery pilots a daytime preschool program for at-risk families exiting shelter care.
FACES (Families and Children Experiencing Success) early childhood education program launches, serving up to 80 children with wraparound family supports.
Crisis Crisis Center expands behavioral health services.
Crisis Nursery deepens collaboration with Valley-wide partners to strengthen prevention efforts.
Crisis Nursery acquires Marcus House and enters foster care services, including receiving center operations and supervised visitation.
Crisis Nursery serves over 1,200 children annually, delivering more than 36,000 days of care and thousands of home visits.
Crisis Nursery and Child Crisis Center formally announce intent to merge to expand reach and impact.
With board approval and philanthropic support, the two organizations officially merge. The unified organization is named Child Crisis Arizona, with Torrie A. Taj, CFRE, appointed CEO.
Phoenix Emergency Children’s Shelter is renamed Kipp’s Place; City of Phoenix proclaims Dr. Kipp Charlton Day.
Boys Group Home opens in Mesa, serving teens ages 11–17.
Opening of the Early Education Classrooms in Mesa
Child Crisis Arizona earns the Human Rights Campaign Solid Foundation for Inclusion benchmark annually.
Acquisition of FANS resource center in Chandler strengthens basic needs distribution.
Halle House Independent Living Program for youth aging out of foster care, opens
Destination Diploma program launches for unhoused youth in the Chandler Unified School District.
Services expand statewide; Extended Foster Care and Healthy Families programs added.
Acquisition of Whispering Hope Ranch, Arizona’s only fully ADA-compliant camp facility.
Center for Child & Family Wellness opens—Living Petal Certified, net-zero, and community-centered.
Early Head Start earns National Head Start Association Program of Excellence Accreditation.
The Center for Child & Family Wellness welcomes over 30 valley nonprofits to host collaborative programs or utilize space for their needs.
Transitional Housing for young adults opens in Mesa.
Everlasting Impact initiative launches to sustain early education.
Child Crisis Arizona is expanding its continuum of care to end young adult homelessness and provide community wellness services for all ages.
Today, our work reaches far beyond crisis response. We provide emergency shelter, foster care and adoption services, early education, family support and parenting education, resources for teens and young adults, and opportunities for healing and wellness through places like the Center for Child & Family Wellness and Whispering Hope Ranch.
As we celebrate this remarkable milestone, we also look ahead with hope. Because the future we envision is one where every child feels safe, every family has the opportunity to grow stronger, and every young person can imagine a brighter future.
For 50 years, our community has helped make that vision possible. And together, we are just getting started.
