Arizona Illustrated: Helping homeless, planting trees, coping with grief, change through art

This week on Arizona Illustrated… how local bishops are redefining religion giving up their church to help those in our community experiencing homelessness; a local nonprofit is improving Tucson one tree at a time; Tu Nidito believes no child should grieve alone and when the pandemic hit many people made big life changes; we meet a Bisbee artist who has no regrets.

Redefining Religion – Helping the Homeless
Matthew 25:34 believes that unhoused people deserve help, with no religious requirements. Bishops Bennett Burke and Celia Jose founded the organization after they realized their church service numbers were dwindling, as the needs in their communities continued to grow. They distribute community donations to homeless hotspots around the city, showing that many grassroots organizations help fill in the gaps that large aid organizations can’t address.

One Tree at a Time
Tucson Clean & Beautiful is a non-profit environmental organization, established for forty years. Their mission is to preserve and improve Tucson’s environment, conserve natural resources, and enhance the quality of life for all city residents. They do this in different ways, including tree planting. The NeighborWoods program provides free trees for Tucson residents that need them the most. Each tree is contributing to a greener and cooler future.


Tu Nidito – No Child Grieves Alone
Grief of losing a child is like no other. It will be in your heart as long as you live. For nearly three decades, Tu Nidito has been a source of comfort and compassion for children and families navigating the pain of grief. Whether they are coping with the death of a loved one or the challenges of a serious medical diagnosis, Tu Nidito offers a safe, nurturing space where children, teens, young adults, and caregivers can find hope, healing, and understanding. All programs are provided free of charge, in both English and Spanish, ensuring that support is accessible to every family in need. Under the dedicated leadership of Executive Director Liz McCusker, Tu Nidito remains true to its heartfelt mission: That no child grieves alone.

Embracing Change
Kenneth Ober was a successful Los Angeles-based artist who was traveling the country selling his works. Due to pandemic’s closures and economic declines which was compounded by body aches, Ober decided to change his life and begin a new chapter in Bisbee, Arizona. Years later, he’s expanding his skills in the new environment.