Salvation Army Breaks Ground on New Activity Center

The Salvation Army Metro Phoenix broke ground on the Mike Michaels Activity Center on March 31. The center, which is named in honor of the late Mike Michaels, a Valley resident and longtime Salvation Army supporter, aims to restore normalcy for families in need through recreation. It is expected to be complete in November.
“I only wish my father was here to see this come to be and see all of people it will help,” said Michaels’ son Chuck, who was in attendance with Michaels’ daughter Barbara Anderson and their families.
Since his passing in 2015, his children have honored their father’s legacy by supporting The Salvation Army’s Adult Rehabilitation Centers and Kroc Center scholarships.
The Mike Michaels Activity Center will embody a “Recreate to Re-create” model, which will provide families to heal through play while addressing their short term and long-term economic self-sufficiency goals.
“In recent years, a growing number of noted mental health professionals have observed that play is as important to human happiness and well-being as love and work,” said Maj. Barbara Sloan, executive director of The Salvation Army Phoenix Family Services. “Research supports the effectiveness of recreation therapy, especially with children experiencing a wide variety of social, emotional, behavioral and learning problems.”
The center will offer several opportunities to shelter residents including case management, counseling, wellness services, computer access, recreational activites, games and outdoors space.
The activity center will be on the grounds of The Salvation Army’s Kaiser Emergency Family Shelter in Phoenix.
SalvationArmyPhoenix.org