SignalsAZ.com Prescott News Podcast - Desert Financial's $2.25 Million Donation to 1 Darn Cool School

Episode Date: February 5, 2025

Send us a text and chime in!Desert Financial Credit Union and its foundation made a $2.25 million donation to the 1 Darn Cool School at Phoenix Children's Hospital. This fully accredited K-12 school provides education to hospitalized children, ensuring they stay on track academically. The donation included technology for teachers, furthering the school's mission. This contribution is part of a larger five-year, $5 million commitment from Desert Financial, highlighting a long-standing partnership dedicated to supporting children's education during medical challenges. The school's impact is showcased through student testimonials, emphasizing its role in maintaining normalcy and hope during difficult circumstances.Desert Financial's investment in 1 Darn Cool School has a significant impact on the education and well-being of hospitalized children.  Here's a breakdown of the key aspects:Ensuring Academic Continuity: The school provides bedside education to children hospitalized for five days or more, helping them stay on track academically despite their medical challenges. This includes in-person, virtual, and flexible educational sessions at various Phoenix Children’s locationsProviding Essential Resources: Desert Financial's donation of $2.25 million includes technology like iPads, Kindles, VR headsets, and STEAM kits, which enhance the learning experience for hospitalized students. These resources are chosen based on teacher requests and help support student success.Promoting a Sense of Normalcy: By providing education, the 1 Darn Cool School helps create a sense of normalcy for children facing chronic illnesses or life-changing injuries. The school supported over 2,100 students last year, offering a sense of continuity amidst medical challenges.Supporting Growth and Development: As Phoenix Children’s expands, Desert Financial ensures the school's growth, making educational support accessible to every patient in need.Long-Term Commitment: Desert Financial has committed to raising $5 million for the school by 2029. Their ongoing support now totals more than $13.2 million over the past 28 years. This shows a deep commitment to education and the Arizona community.Transformative Impact: The donation is not just about money but is about ensuring every child at Phoenix Children’s has the tools they need to learn, thrive, and stay connected as they receive care.Positive Outcomes: The program has impacted many students, like Valery, who has continued her studies during her cancer treatments. Another example is Brian Bogert, who was able to remain on track at school after a serious accident, with the help of the 1 Darn Cool School.Empowering Teachers: The donation empowers teachers to provide exceptional education and helps children envision a bright future beyond their hospital stay. The school is staffed by seven full-time, master’s-level teachers.Community Partnership: The 1 Darn Cool School is fully funded by Desert Financial Foundation, Desert Financial Credit Union, its members, and its employees.Check out the CAST11.com Website at: https://CAST11.com Follow the CAST11 Podcast Network on Facebook at: https://Facebook.com/CAST11AZFollow Cast11 Instagram at: https://www.instagram.com/cast11_podcast_network

Have you ever thought about what it would be like going to school while you're in the hospital? Wow. We're going to dive into that today. Okay. We're looking at the one darn cool school at Phoenix Children's. Uh-huh. And it's specifically for these kids who are hospitalized for five days or more. I see.

And the thing that really caught my eye was this record-breaking $2.25 million donation. Oh, wow. That they got from the Desert Financial Credit Union. That's incredible. You know what's really interesting about Desert Financial? It was actually started by teachers. Oh, wow. So this commitment to education, you can really see it here.

Yeah. This donation is so huge, especially since Phoenix Children's is growing so much across the valley. Yeah, and you think about it, all these kids dealing with serious illnesses or injuries. Right. It just, I can't imagine how disruptive that is to their education. Absolutely. So to, like, help us understand how this actually works, how impactful this is for these kids. Yeah.

Could you give us a little rundown of how one darn cool school actually works? Sure. So they actually have seven full-time teachers. Wow. And these are all master's level teachers. Okay. And they're providing in-person virtual and on-site education at all the different Phoenix Children's locations. So they're going all over the place?

All over the place. They're working with over 1,100 students every year, just making sure they don't fall behind. Wow. That's incredible. Yeah. It's a big undertaking. Yeah. That's a staggering number of students.

Yeah, it is. So, like, what are some of the unique approaches that they use to address the needs of so many kids? Well, they have to individualize a lot of it. Right. Because every student is different. Yeah. So they work very closely with each child's medical team with their family. Okay.

To come up with a very specific learning plan for that child. Yeah. And they also have to use a variety of teaching methods. Right. So sometimes it's the traditional classroom instruction, one-on-one tutoring. online learning platforms all to make sure they're reaching those kids. So it sounds like they're really going above and beyond to make sure that these kids are getting what they need.

Right. And this recent donation from Desert Financial is actually part of a larger five-year, $5 million commitment. It is. Right. So over 28 years, they've given over $13.2 million to the school. That's insane. Yeah.

And they're not just giving money. No. They're giving these amazing technology toolboxes to the school. Right. So they have iPads, Kindles, VR headsets, steam kits. Wow. All of these things are really essential to engage the students and make sure they have those cutting edge tools. That's cool.

But they also make sure to integrate the technology very thoughtfully. You know, thinking about all those different medical conditions the students might have. So, for example, a child that has very limited mobility might need some voice-activated software. Whereas a child going through chemotherapy might just need to escape. Yeah. And so VR can be really great for that. It's just amazing how adaptable they're being to create a really positive learning environment. Absolutely.

Now, to put this into perspective. Okay. We have to hear from the students who have benefited. Right. Right. And one story that really stood out to me was Valerie's story. Valerie is an amazing young lady. Right.

She was diagnosed with leukemia and DVHD when she was just nine. Wow. DVHD is a complication from stem cell or bone marrow transplant. plants. Okay. So can you imagine being nine years old and going through all that? That's heartbreaking. It is. But she's in remission now, right? She is. And she's become this incredible artist and musician. She has. You know, her story really shows how art and music can be so therapeutic. Yeah. It's just so important to give these kids a way to express themselves creatively. Totally. Not just focus on academics. And then we have Brian who had a completely different but equally challenging experience. Yeah. At just seven years old, he was in a horrific accident. A runaway truck hit him. Oh, my goodness. Yeah, life-threatening injuries. Wow.

He lost his left arm. Oh, my good. He had a 10-hour surgery. Wow. And then over 20 reconstructive procedures. Oh, gosh. And he spent so much time in the hospital recovering. It's incredible how resilient kids can be.

It really is. To go through something like that. It's amazing. I can only imagine how difficult that was for him and his family. Absolutely. So how did one darn cool school. support him during that time. Well, they made sure his education continued.

So even with all the descriptions from the accident and treatments, he didn't fall behind in his studies. Okay. But it was more than that. It gave him some normalcy, you know, a way to connect to the outside world when he was pretty much stuck in the hospital. It sounds like they were a real lifeline for him. They really were. And his family. Absolutely.

During that really tough time. And to bring this full circle, Brian's own children are now. Patience at Phoenix Children's. It's amazing. Isn't that something? It really is. It just shows you the lasting impact. Yeah.

Of these kinds of programs. You know, it makes you think about how important it is to support the whole child. Uh-huh. Not just academically, but emotionally and socially, too. That's a great point. So how do they measure the success of the program? Well, they have a few ways. Okay.

They track academic progress, graduation rates. Okay. Student engagement. Makes sense. They also do survey. and interviews with students and families. Okay. And even the medical staff.

Okay. So they can really understand how the program is making a difference. So it's not just anecdotal. You're actually seeing the data. Exactly. And the research shows that kids who are in these hospital-based education programs, they actually do better. Okay. They have less academic regression.

Okay. Their emotional well-being improves. Thanks. And they're more likely to graduate high school. Wow. That's incredible. It is. It really shows that investing in these programs is worth it.

It does. It's not just about keeping up with schoolwork. It's about giving them a sense of normalcy and purpose and hope. Absolutely. During a time that's really hard. Exactly. And it's not just the childhood benefits, right? Right.

The whole family is impacted when a child is hospitalized. That's so true. So how does one darn cool school support the families? They have a lot of resources. Okay. Like counseling and support groups, Yeah. Educational workshops.

Wow. They also help the family communicate with the medical team. That's really helpful. It is. Especially during a stressful time. It can be so overwhelming. Right. So they really try to make things easier.

It sounds like they take a very holistic approach to care. They do. And speaking of the people involved. Yeah. We can't forget about the teachers. The teachers are the heart of the program. Right. What kind of impact are they having on these kids' lives?

I think they're more than just teachers. Okay. They're mentors, advocates, friends. It takes a really special person to do that. It does. So what makes these teachers so effective? Well, they have a lot of compassion. Okay.

They're creative and resilient. They have to be. They also really understand how kids learn and develop. And they're great at building relationships with the students and their families. And that trust is so important. It really is. Especially in a hospital setting. Absolutely.

So we've talked about the school, the donation, the student stories, the amazing teachers. Yeah. What does all this mean for our listeners? That's a good question. How can they apply these lessons to their own lives? Well, I think it's about perspective. Okay. When we face challenges.

Yeah. It can be helpful to remember these kids and families who are going through so much. It's a reminder that there's always hope. Yeah. Even when things are tough. Absolutely. It's easy to get caught up in our own problems and forget what other people are dealing with. It is.

These stories really help to put things in perspective. They do. And the other big takeaway is the importance of community. We saw how Desert Financial and the teachers at One Darn Cool School are making a difference. Right. It shows what can happen when we come together to help others. It reminds us that we're not alone. Exactly.

And that we all have a responsibility to support each other. And it doesn't have to be a big, grand gesture. Right. Even small acts of kindness can make a difference. So what are some specific things our listeners can do? Well, you can learn more about One Darn Cool School. Okay. And look for similar programs in your community.

Okay. A lot of hospitals have programs for kids who are hospitalized. Big sense. And there are nonprofits that focus on education for kids facing different challenges. So find a cause you care about. Exactly. See how you can get involved. Yeah, you can volunteer, donate, spread the word.

It's all about finding your way to make a difference. It is. And you know, sometimes just a small act of kindness can go a long way. Like what? If you know a family with a child in the hospital, Yeah. Offer to help with errands. Bring them a meal.

Right. Send a card. Just let them know you're thinking of them. Exactly. Those little things can mean so much. They really can. It's about being there for each other. Absolutely.

And don't forget about advocacy. Okay. Tell people about these stories. Yeah. Spread the word about these amazing organizations and encourage others to get involved. So use your voice to make a difference. Exactly. Be a voice for those who can't speak for themselves.

That's a great way to put it. We've covered a lot of ground. today. We have. From the incredible work of One Darn Cool School to the inspiring stories of the students they serve. It's been really inspiring. It has. I hope our listeners are walking away with a new appreciation for the resilience of the human spirit. Day too. And the power of community. It's been great talking about this with you. Likewise. And to our listeners, thank you for joining us on this deep dive into the world of One Darn Cool School. Until next time, keep learning, keep exploring, and keep believing in the power of human connection. It's been really incredible to learn about all this.

It is amazing work they're doing. Yeah, the challenges these kids are focusing, their triumphs. Right. And just the dedication of everyone at one darn cool school. Yeah. It's inspiring. So as we wrap up this deep dive. Yeah. What is the one thing you hope our listeners take away from all this? Well, I think it boils down to this. Every child deserves the chance to learn and thrive no matter what their situation is. It's not just about the facts. Okay. It's about hope. It's about potential.

Yeah. Giving these kids the power to create a better future for themselves. And there are communities. Exactly. I love that. That's such a powerful message. It is, isn't it? Yeah.

It's a reminder that even when things are tough, there's always room for learning and growth. Always. And connecting with others. Right. And it also shows how much we all need to do. Yeah. To create a more supportive world. Absolutely.

For all children. For every child. So to our listeners. Yeah. If this conversation has sparked something in you, don't let that feeling fade away. Right. Take action. Look for ways to make a difference. Exactly.

Support organizations like One Darn Cool School. Yes. Advocate for children's rights. Even just lending a hand to a family in need. It all adds up. It all matters. Every little bit. Remember even those small acts of kindness.

Yeah. They can create a ripple effect. It's true. Bigger than we can even imagine. Absolutely. And don't underestimate the power of your voice. Use it. Yeah.

Share these stories, raise awareness. Help create a world where every child has the chance to reach their full potential. I love that. Well, it's been such a privilege to dive into this with you today. The pleasure was all mine. And to our listeners, thank you for joining us on this deep dive into the world of one darn cool school. Until next time, keep learning, keep exploring, and keep believing in the power of human connection.