The Arizona Children's Association, whose rigorous purpose is to create programs for youth and families, has invested in prevention, intervention and permanency programs. Arizona Children's Association is the state's oldest and largest nonprofit child welfare agency. Founded in 1912 as an orphanage for homeless children, the Arizona Children's Association has a simple and consistent mission: to protect children. The organization is huge, boasting over 40 programs, reaching 15 Arizona counties and reaching up to 46,000 children and families each year. In July 2010, the Arizona Children's Association merged with a program called "In My Shoes." Founded by a former lawyer, In My Shoes is a mentoring program that offers former foster children the opportunity to give back and mentor current children in foster care. Hearing the effort and time these individuals invest in the progression of these otherwise forgotten children is not far from inspiring. There was a need to create this program. Having a relationship with a caring, consistent adult is critical in your child's development. The In My Shoes program was created to meet this need. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an original essay There are over 10,000 children in the foster care program in Arizona. Many of these children will age out of the system. In Pima County, where In My Shoes was founded, there were an average of 3,151 open dependency cases, even more alarming that 2,800 were living in foster care or group homes. For Joan Wagner, these numbers were unacceptable and unfair. He created the In My Shoes program in partnership with Pima County Juvenile Courts. Mission Statement: Promote community protection and safety, promote the rehabilitation of children and families, facilitate the protection of children experiencing abuse and neglect, and facilitate the provision of families and children involved in the justice system. There is a particular issue that unifies almost all cases submitted to the addiction system. Children and young people enter the dependency system because they have no parents or guardians who are willing or able to care for them. Youth eligible to participate in the In My Shoes program are youth who will age out of the system. Volunteers make the difference. Walking in the same shoes gives the mentoring experience a depth that cannot be duplicated. Only adults who grew up in foster homes, shelters or group homes are eligible to participate in the In My Shoes program, for good reason. No one, not even former children of the state, can truly understand what each child is experiencing because every experience is different. But having someone to talk to, someone to trust and confide in, a caring and consistent relationship with an adult can make the difference in a child's life. Having former foster children take on the responsibility of being living proof that things are getting better for homeless and abandoned children is an invaluable service. Eighty percent of adults in correctional facilities are considered “state graduates” because they participate in the juvenile justice system, child welfare, mental health, or special education systems. "In a nationwide study of runaway youth, more than a third had been in foster care in the year they hit the streets. More than one child without resources who arrives in a.