Angel Heart Pajama Project

Angel Heart Pajama Project's mission is "to provide new pajamas, new books and cuddle pillows to children who are living in foster care homes, homeless shelters, abused or neglected, seriously ill, living in poverty, with a disability or a refugee living in Southern Arizona counties of Cochise,, Pima, Pinal, Santa Cruz, and Yuma counties".

Since 2013, Angel Heart has provided nearly 57,000 children with new pajamas and new books. In 2024 Angel Heart Pajama Project aims to serve 7,000 underprivileged ranging in ages from infant to 18 who represent 86% Hispanic, 5% African American, 7% Native American and 2% other children. While there is some assistance available to address this need, there are currently no programs available that offer support in the way we do.

Angel Heart is the vision of the late Graciela Lopez, mother of the co-founders, Maria Patterson and Marty Croissant. In 1963, these three Cuban-born women immigrated to the United States to escape from political, religious, and economic distress. During their early years adjusting to a new language and culture, Graciela found the means to provide new pajamas and books to enrich her children's lives.

Today, her vision has blossomed into an esteemed nonprofit entity, Angel Heart Pajama Project, which continues to gift new pajamas and books to needy children. Lopez and her daughters were able to realize their dream of "paying it forward" by sharing with children in need the same gift that had brought them such joy and comfort when they were young.

As of January 2023, Arizonans for Children, Inc. stated there were over 12,000 children in foster care. These children in need often go to foster-care facilities or shelters in just the clothes they are wearing, and many of these children seldom enjoy the security, love, and feeling that someone cares about them. With a 2021 poverty rate of 15.1% as reported by Making Action Possible for Southern Arizona, children and families living in Tucson have insufficient capacity to better one's life.

Every child deserves a nurturing environment where they feel safe, loved, and cherished. However, for numerous children in our community, this fundamental right is denied, leaving them exposed to the harsh realities of poverty and deprivation. Angel Heart Pajama Project seeks to address the critical needs of these children by focusing on two essential elements: providing cozy pajamas and engaging books.

1. Cozy Pajamas Represent Comfort:

Children's pajamas are often in child-pleasing colors and patterns and are typically designed for sleep comfort and safety. Changing into pajamas before going to sleep is the most symbolic part of the bedtime routine, representing security and comfort, which positively impacts bedtime and the ability to sleep. "New pajamas are a necessary part of promoting good health and preventing infections and disease, as well as providing psychological benefits" says Sheldon H. Cherry, MD, Clinical Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Mt. Sinai School of Medicine, NYC. Unfortunately, pajamas are not an available part of the bedtime routine for all children, especially for those in crisis or transition.

Living in poverty often means facing difficult circumstances, including inadequate clothing for cold nights. The lack of warm sleepwear can lead to discomfort and disrupted sleep, affecting the physical and emotional well-being of children. In Tucson's challenging climate, where temperatures can drop significantly at night, this issue becomes even more pressing.

By supplying children in need with cozy pajamas, we aim to create a tangible difference in their lives. These simple yet significant garments can provide the warmth and comfort that every child deserves, promoting better sleep and overall improved health. Additionally, wearing new pajamas can boost a child's self-esteem, fostering a sense of dignity and belonging.

2. Bedtime is Book Time:

The enjoyment and pleasure of a bedtime story before sleep is indisputable. A book at bedtime promotes a host of benefits that include language development, increased motor skills, decreased stress levels, and improved memory skills. Bedtime reading is associated with emotional warmth, a sense of well-being, and sleep readiness but for children in crisis, living in shelters or group homes, books, like pajamas are frequently an inaccessible luxury.

Access to books plays a pivotal role in a child's cognitive and emotional development. Unfortunately, families facing financial constraints often lack the resources to provide books for their children, resulting in limited educational opportunities and hindering intellectual growth.

Angel Heart seeks to fill this educational gap by distributing age-appropriate books to children in need. By encouraging a love for reading, we hope to ignite their imagination, improve literacy skills, and broaden their horizons...

Testimonials

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