Children’s Clinics and Mercy Care Team Up to Host Annual Back-to-School Fair

NEWS ALERT FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Children’s Clinics and Mercy Care Team Up to Host Annual Back-to-School Fair.

Tucson, AZ (July 7, 2025) – Children’s Clinics, a local nonprofit outpatient care center for children with special healthcare needs, is excited to announce its annual Back-to-School Fair, proudly sponsored by Mercy Care, with additional support from Supercuts, Walmart, QuikTrip, and Truly Nolen. The event will take place on Friday, July 11, from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM at the Children’s Clinics campus at 2600 N. Wyatt Drive.

This beloved event provides children and families with essential school supplies, free haircuts, and a sense of readiness for the new school year. Supercuts stylists will be on-site offering fresh haircuts to patients and their siblings, helping kids feel confident and prepared as they head back to class.

“For families raising a child with complex medical conditions, back-to-school time can bring significant financial strain,” explained Jared Perkins, CEO of Children’s Clinics. “This event goes beyond providing supplies and haircuts, it’s about giving our families the chance to begin the school year with dignity, confidence, and the support of a caring community.”

Mercy Care has been a longstanding partner in supporting this event. “Families of children with complex medical needs navigate challenges that extend far beyond healthcare,” said Debbie Hillman, Mercy Care’s Chief Administrative Officer. “That’s why we’re proud to support Children’s Clinics’ back-to-school event—ensuring these students have the essentials for a strong start to the year. At Mercy Care, we believe in fostering healthier, brighter futures for our community, helping every member thrive and reach their fullest potential.”

With the generosity of sponsors like Mercy Care, Walmart, QuikTrip, and Truly Nolen, Children’s Clinics will distribute 600 free backpacks filled with supplies, ensuring that children with medical complexities and their siblings can return to school ready for success.

The event will be held on Friday, July 11, 2025, from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM at Children’s Clinics, Square & Compass Building, 2600 N. Wyatt Drive, and is for Children’s Clinics patients and their families only. Mercy Care representatives will be present, not only handing out backpacks, but also promoting their wellness check program for children. In addition, Supercuts hairstylists will be on-site to deliver haircuts to Children’s Clinics patients and their young family members.

Children with complex illnesses face different challenges than other children, and most of Children’s Clinics’ families have children with multiple simultaneous pediatric illnesses, meaning that they face even greater challenges. In addition, 95% of Children’s Clinics’ families are low-income and face job and housing insecurity due to the amount of time devoted to caring for their children. Children’s Clinics has been hosting this Back-to-School event for over 12 years, assuring that their patients and their families have the essentials needed for a new school year.

About Children’s Clinics: Children’s Clinics is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, outpatient care center that has served children with special healthcare needs and their families in southern Arizona for over 30 years. Children’s Clinics offers 25 different medical and dental specialties on a single campus, as well as wraparound social services and special programs for children with complex illnesses such as cerebral palsy, spina bifida, muscular dystrophy, sickle cell, and many others. The mission of Children’s Clinics is to provide a family-centered, comprehensive medical home to meet the special needs of children and families. www.childrensclinics.org

About Mercy Care: Mercy Care is a not-for-profit Medicaid managed-care health plan, serving AHCCCS members in Arizona since 1985. Mercy Care is a local company sponsored by Dignity Health and Ascension Health. Mercy Care provides access to physical and behavioral health care services for Medicaid-eligible families, children, seniors, and individuals with developmental/cognitive disabilities. Learn more at http://www.MercyCareAZ.org.

Saguaro City: Showtime!

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

It’s SHOWTIME! Come together as a cast of characters and take a musical theatre journey through a Broadway musical. Bring it from the studio to the stage, learning about the style, the music, the movement, the story, and a little back story too!

Students will rehearse material each week, working toward a performance where they will not only build their individual understanding of the art form and their grasp on creative storytelling, but also learn how to express their ideas just as they would in a professional setting.

Participants will also learn that theatre is a team sport that takes a community working together to achieve success on the stage. At the end of the program, families and friends are invited to come watch and enjoy their hard work during a live studio performance!

DATES/TIMES: 

Saturdays & Sundays

August 2nd-24th

Saturdays – 10am-3pm

Sundays – 12pm-3pm

PLACE: 

University of Arizona School of Theatre Film & Television

1025 N Olive Rd #239, Tucson, AZ 85721

REGISTRATION:

Register Here: SHOWTIME REGISTRATION | Saguaro City Music Theatre

Registration will be opening for Children’s Clinics Families on Monday July 7th at 9am

As always, this program is tuition-free and offered on a first come first serve basis. Spots are limited, so sign up quickly!

Children’s Clinics Launches The BIG Summer Give

Children’s Clinics Launches Big Summer Give to Support Children with Special Healthcare Needs

TUCSON, AZ (June 10, 2025) — Children’s Clinics has launched its Big Summer Give campaign, a heartfelt community effort to ensure children with complex medical needs experience the joy and magic of childhood through three signature events this year.

The summer campaign kicks off with an urgent call for donations to support the upcoming Back-to-School Fair on July 11, which provides backpacks, school supplies, and vital resources to low-income families. The event ensures that children with special healthcare needs can start the school year feeling confident, prepared, and supported.

“These are more than just events,” said Jared Perkins, CEO of Children’s Clinics. “They’re powerful experiences that offer our families a sense of normalcy, joy, and community, reminding them they are never alone.”

In addition to the Back-to-School Fair, the Big Summer Give supports:

  • Spooktacular Halloween – A safe and adaptive trick-or-treat celebration where every child can experience the joy of dressing up and being part of the fun.

  • Holiday Toy Market – A festive event where patients and their siblings can “shop” for new toys, creating magical memories during the holiday season.

The public is encouraged to donate www.childrensclinics.org/summergive. All contributions are tax-deductible and eligible for the Arizona Charitable Tax Credit, allowing donors to give at no net cost.

“Whether it’s $25 or $250, every gift helps bring a smile to a child’s face and creates memories that last a lifetime,” said Perkins.

Children’s Clinics serves children and families across Southern Arizona, providing comprehensive, family-centered care to more than 5,000 patients with complex medical conditions each year.

To learn more or make a donation, visit www.childrensclinics.org/summergive.

About Children’s Clinics
Children’s Clinics is a nonprofit pediatric outpatient facility in Tucson, AZ, that offers over 25 specialty and sub-specialty services under one roof. For over 70 years, Children’s Clinics has served children with complex medical needs in a compassionate, family-centered environment, helping them grow, thrive, and experience the fullness of childhood.

Shrek the Musical Dress Rehearsal

Saguaro City Music Theatre is excited to invite our Children’s Clinics families to their dress rehearsal of Shrek the Musical. This presentation will be their first performance and final dress rehearsal, and will include all production elements including their live band!

Please sign-up below with the total amount of people attending. There is no assigned seating and you will need to pick your seat on a first come, first serve basis. There is wheelchair accessible seating available.

WHEN: Friday, June 27, 2025 at 11:00 AM, Theatre opens at 10:30 AM.
WHERE: THE BERGER PERFORMING ARTS CENTER, 1200 W. Speedway Blvd. on the campus of the ARIZONA SCHOOL FOR THE DEAF AND THE BLIND. The entrance is on the WEST side of the campus off of YUCCA street.

COST: Free, you must register for admission

Sign Up Here: Theatre For Young Audiences Production of SHREK THE MUSICAL – Invited Dress Rehearsal – Friday, June 27th @ 11:00am

Saguaro City Studio Arts: Summer Theatre Class

Clean Slate:

Hosted by Saguaro City Music Theatre, this program will introduce kids to the art of storytelling through music, movement, and text. Participants will learn how to audition for musicals and gain the confidence to audition for school and community theatre productions. By the end of the program, each child will have the tools to do a vocal warm-up, have one audition song, sheet music in the appropriate key, and a rehearsal track to practice with at home. They will also get there own professional picture and resume.

When: Fridays | July 11- August 8

Where: KU Studios | 6066 N Oracle Road

**Registration opens in June!

Clean Slate | Audition Prep Course

Back-to-School Fair

**Registration Now Closed**

Back-to-School Fair Sponsored by Mercy Care

Join us for an exciting Back-to-School Fair Sponsored by Mercy Care. School-aged patients and their siblings can get the supplies needed to prepare for the new school year, all for FREE with support from our generous sponsors! Registration form coming soon.
**THIS EVENT IS FOR CHILDREN’S CLINICS’ FAMILIES ONLY**

 

**Registration Now Closed**

Adaptive Theatre

***Registration Now Full*** Waitlist is available.

🎭 Lights, Camera, Imagination! 🎭
Get ready to take center stage in our eight-week Adaptive Theatre Program, specially designed for the Children’s Clinics community! Through exciting theatre games, creative storytelling, and laugh-out-loud improvisation, participants will build confidence, spark their imagination, and connect with others in a supportive, joyful environment.

No experience needed! just bring your creativity and a sense of fun! Let’s create, play, and shine together! 🌟

***Registration Now Full*** Waitlist is available below.

Adaptive Theatre 2025

    Our team will contact you if a spot opens up.
  • MM slash DD slash YYYY
  • (English, Español, etc)
  • Please identify an individual other than yourself that we can contact in case of an emergency. / Por favor identifique a un individuo aparte de usted mismo que podamos contactar en caso de emergencia
  • Example (Please list all that apply): - Speech / Hablado - Other Sounds / Otros Sonidos - Eye Gaze / Mirada - Gestures / Gestos - A communication device / Un aparato de comunicación
  • Example (Please list all that apply): - Short Simple Directions / Instrucciones cortas y simples - Repetition / Repetición - Face to face communication / Comunicación cara a cara - Speaking at a slow pace / Hablar lento
  • Example (Please list all that apply): - crawling / gateando - walking with assistance / camina con asistencia - walking with out assistance / camina sin asistencia - wheeled mobility / movilidad con ruedas - other assistive device / otro aparato de asistencia
    I understand that I must remain and be present at Live Theatre Workshop for the duration of the program while my child participates in Music. / Entiendo que debo permanecer presente en Live Theatre Workshop de Tucson durante la duración del programa mientras mi hijo participa en Musica
    I authorize my child to participate in Children’s Clinics Childhood Experiences Programs. I acknowledge the risks inherent in the participation by my child. In my absence, I further authorize the staff representing Children’s Clinics to act for me according to their best judgment in any emergency requiring medical attention for my child and I hereby waive and release those staffers, and volunteers of Children’s Clinics from all liability for any injuries or illnesses, that may be incurred while participating in Children’s Clinics Childhood Experiences, while in attendance, except for injury directly resulting from gross negligence or willful misconduct. /Autorizo que mi hijo participe en los Programas de Experiencias Infantiles de la Clínica de los Niños. Reconozco los riesgos adjuntos a la participación de mi hijo. En mi ausencia, autorizo al personal representante de la Clínica de los Niños a actuar por mi acorde a su mejor juicio en cualquier emergencia que requiera atención médica para mi hijo y por el presente exento y libero a esos empleados y voluntarios de la Clínica de los Niños de toda responsabilidad de cualquier lesiones o enfermedades que pudieran adquirir mientras participan en Experiencias Infantiles de la Clínica de los Niños, mientras atienda, excepto por lesiones resultantes directamente de negligencia grave o mala conducta intencional.
    I consent to the photographing/video recording/ audio recording of the above-named patients by Children's Clinics staff at this event. I agree the resulting images or recordings may be used for Children's Clinics publicity or marketing purposes (brochure, pamphlet, lobby display, social media posts, printed material, etc.). I understand that I have the right to reverse this consent, in writing, at any time before the image or recording is used for the purposes indicated above. / Yo consiento la toma de fotografías/grabación de video/grabación de audio de los participantes mencionado anteriormente por el personal de la Clínica de los Niños en este evento. Estoy de acuerdo con que las imagines o grabaciones resultantes sean usadas para los propósitos de publicidad o marketing (folleto, panfleto, exposición en el vestíbulo, publicaciones de redes sociales, materiales impresos, etc.). Entiendo que tengo el derecho de revertir este consentimiento, en escrito, en cualquier antes de que la imagen o grabación sean usados para los propósitos indicados anteriormente.
    I understand that the information provided in this registration form may be accessed and reviewed by staff, therapists, instructors, and volunteers involved in this adaptive rec program to ensure the best possible support for the participant. / Entiendo que la información proporcionada en este formulario de inscripción puede ser accedida y revisada por el personal, terapeutas, instructores y voluntarios involucrados en este programa de recreación adaptada para garantizar el mejor apoyo posible al participante.

 

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Sibshop (ages 7-12)

Brothers and sisters, ages 7 to 12, with siblings who have complex medical needs, have feelings that may be hard to express, even to a friend. Sibshop is that safe space that allows them to explore and express their feelings and meet others with shared experiences who truly understand. Sibshop celebrates the many contributions made by brothers and sisters to the family and engages them through fun and interactive games.
Sibshop Is Just For Siblings To: 
  • Laugh
  • Have fun
  • Play games
  • Talk about the good and not-so-good parts of having a sibling with special needs
  • Spend time with other siblings that “get it”
  • A chance to be heard and seen

This group meets every third Thursday of the month (2025 Dates: 7/17, 8/21, 9/18, 10/16). If you’re new to the group, please register for the event.

Sibshop Registration

"*" indicates required fields

Participant's Name*
MM slash DD slash YYYY
Participant's preferred language*
If other than English, does the participate speak English?
Is the participant a patient at Children's Clinics?*
What is the name of the sibling with a disability?*
(If more than one sibling with a disability list below)
MM slash DD slash YYYY
(If more than one sibling with a disability list below)
(If more than one sibling with a disability list below)
Is the sibling with a disability a patient at the Children’s Clinics?*
For example, Megan Jones is 14 years old, born on 01/01/2010. She is a patient at the Children’s Clinics with cerebral palsy.
Does the Participant have siblings without a disability?*
For example: Megan Jones age 14, Jose Martinez age 12
Parent/Guardian Name*
Parent/Guardian's Preferred Language*
If other than English, does the parent/guardian speak English?
How do you prefer to be contacted?*
Address*
Please identify an individual other than yourself that we can contact in case of an emergency.
Please check that you have read and agree to the following:*
I consent to the photographing/video recording/ audio recording of the above-named patients by Children's Clinics staff at this event. I agree the resulting images or recordings may be used for Children's Clinics publicity or marketing purposes (brochure, pamphlet, lobby display, social media posts, printed material, etc.). I understand that I have the right to reverse this consent, in writing, at any time before the image or recording is used for the purposes indicated above.
Agreement: I agree to stay at Children's Clinics throughout the duration of the group for my child.*

Curiosity Camp!

Get ready for a summer of curiosity, self-discovery, and fun at the Integrative Touch’s Curiosity Camp! This exciting camp welcomes kids of all abilities to explore new skills, build connections, stay active, and engage in hands-on creative experiences.

WHEN: Weekly (M-F), June 2-June 27 and July 7- August
9 AM to 5:00 PM Daily

WHERE: Integrative Touch Healing Center | 7493 N. Oracle Rd, Suite 103
COST: $350 per week, or $1250 for four consecutive weeks – Save $150!
$2500 for all 8 weeks – Save $300!!
**They offer scholarships and ESA funding to ensure every child can join in the fun and adventure of Curiosity Camp!

Have questions? Call Integrative Touch at 520-820-6275.

Register at link below!

Camps – InTouch Healing Center