Unique Mesa Arizona Charity Celebrates 20 Years Using The Wilderness To Change Hearts And Restore Parent-Child Relationships

Online, August 29, 2012 (Newswire.com) - Mesa, Arizona - ANASAZI Foundation, the only nonprofit provider of outdoor behavioral healthcare services, today announced a $500,000 fundraising campaign to aid young people from families impacted by the current economic downturn. The effort, which comes amid decreasing donations and the closing of numerous residential and wilderness-based treatment programs, will extend ANASAZI's services to parents who are unable to secure financing or obtain services from other providers.

"Demand for adolescent treatment services has never been greater, but in this economy most families simply cannot afford residential placement," said ANASAZI Executive Director Mike Merchant. "Once-plentiful student loans have been eliminated, so programs that provide direct financial assistance - programs like ANASAZI - often represent the only hope for low and middle-income families seeking life-saving intervention services for a struggling son or daughter. We field calls daily from families referred by other providers."

To weather the economic forces which have compelled others to shutter operations, ANASAZI realigned its management structure, resulting in a significant cost savings. The move allows ANASAZI founder and wilderness-therapy pioneer Ezekiel Sanchez to assume a more direct supervisory role in field operations. Merchant said the new plan will enhance staff training and allow ANASAZI to sustain its programs without compromising its highly regarded standard of care.

The fundraising campaign will uniquely leverage ANASAZI's broad alumni community to solicit grants from alumni-affiliated corporations, foundations, and private contributors. More than $200,000 of the goal amount will be targeted by a social networking effort titled "I am ANASAZI," which calls upon individual graduates to share their stories and raise at least $500 to help other young people in need.

"All of us at ANASAZI understand the enormity of the fundraising task before us," said program founder Sanchez. "My heart is at peace, however, because our mission is critical and our cause is true. Most of all I know that our wonderful ANASAZI family will ensure we succeed in this effort."

ABOUT ANASAZI FOUNDATION
ANASAZI Foundation is a nonprofit (501c3), nationally recognized, licensed, and Joint Commission-accredited behavioral healthcare provider known for its nurturing and non-punitive approach to helping struggling young people. ANASAZI's menu of services includes a 42-day (minimum stay), wilderness-based intervention and treatment program for youth 12-17 (including those often labeled as "troubled teens") and young adults 18-25, as well as parenting workshops and community drug awareness and education forums. Visit http://www.anasazi.org for more information.

Contact:
Sean Rourke
480.892.7403
[email protected]

http://www.anasazi.org/therapeuticapproach.html
http://www.anasazi.org/whyitworks.html
http://www.anasazi.org/youth.html

http://www.anasazi.org/wilderness-therapy-blog/index.php/2009/11/making-tough-decisions-out-of-love/

http://www.anasazi.org/wilderness-therapy-blog/index.php/2009/10/messages-from-anasazi-alumni-families-and-friends%E2%80%A6/

http://www.anasazi.org/wilderness-therapy-blog/index.php/2009/10/picking-friends/