by Jessica Myers for the Luce Foundation: Southwest Stories Fellowship

Because of the pandemic, in-person graduation ceremonies were cancelled. Instead the ceremonies were held over Zoom. This program outlines the video webinar order of events for the graduation ceremony.

The Somali American United Council of Arizona, a non-profit organization, was developed in 2006 in response to the growing need to connect Somali communities in Arizona with each other and the rest of the American society. The Somali American United Council of Arizona fills a critical need by helping newly arrived families adjust to their new lives, location, language and culture. The Somali American United Council of Arizona exists to promote better understanding between the Somali refugee community and other American communities. The Somali American United Council of Arizona serves as a model for other non-profit organizations working with refugee communities and immigrant populations. By building a and structure of best practices, The Somali American United Council of Arizona shares this knowledge with other to help them build designed to address cultural barriers and emotional trauma. Vision and Mission Somali American United Council of Arizona, a non-profit Qualified Charitable organization within the State of Arizona, whose mission and vision are to facilitate and improve communication channels and contribute to the wellbeing of the Refugee/ immigrant community, assisting them in becoming productive law-abiding citizens that can properly integrate for a great patriotism. Our is to become the premier institution that offers high quality services to the Somali-American & multi-ethnic Community and prepare individuals of the highest moral fiber. The Somali American United Council's working philosophy includes the encouragement of the Somali American and multi-ethnic refugees to actively seek to find sound solutions to the needs and aspirations of their community in Arizona.

Developmental milestones always throw off the routine. I deleted the “Wonder Years App,” so I couldn’t look up what is happening at about 30 months that makes it unlikely a child will nap, and very likely that they will cry and cling to you over the seemingly smallest of issues. It has been weeks of no naps or naps only in the car. This means that I don’t get my normal break in the day, when the 2yo naps for 2 hours and I can let the 6yo have her media time. This was our routine; this was when I got to knock out work in peace without interruptions. That precious window has been gone for weeks. Until today, finally for the first time in what feels like for freaking ever, Julian napped in a bed at home. Did I have to lie next to him to make it happen? Yes, was I anxious that it was too good to be true and he’d wake back up any second? Also yes. The 6yo, unaware that anything was different walked in the room and started chatting. I waved her away, and she ran off, presumably delighted that her media time was a go. The dog, ever aware that food was on the stove and that her dinner should occur in about 1.5 hours pushed open the door and trotted in. She’s stuck now. No one goes in or out until this nap concludes naturally. Maybe I shouldn’t be this worked up about a nap, but the extra layer of pressure has felt much more present ever since the school year started. There are more meetings to attend, and they all seem to last more than an hour. Emails can stress me out easily if they’re filled with questions. And the 6yo needs about 2-3 hours of support in the morning with distance learning and homework. Which is fine, that’s my job, I’m supposed to help her, but it also means that an important chunk of my workday is interrupted. And it’s hard to recover or snapback from constant interruptions. I feel like it's not possible to get it all done, and then I think...not getting it doesn't feel like a choice I can make. It all feels like it's my responsibility.

At Iranian American Society of Arizona (IASAz), we strive to enrich the lives of Arizona residents by promoting an awareness of the Iranian culture, heritage, language, history and contributions through education, music, dance, theater, arts, food and sense of community. Our goal is to preserve, promote and encourage through education and charitable work, the richness of Iranian-American culture. We achieve this by organizing social, educational, recreational and other functions to promote better understanding and friendship both among the members of the organization and among individuals and organizations in Arizona who share an interest in Iranian culture.

Arizona has more than 62,000 refugees, who have been forced out of their country of origin due to persecution of race, religion, nationality, political opinion or membership to a particular social group. These are hard-working, often educated people who are struggling to survive. You can help them be welcomed into our country by helping provide for them as they start to settle. When you partner with Catholic Charities, you’ll help provide refugees with support in getting settled into American culture.

Bhutanese Community in Arizona are the people originally from Bhutan and settled in Arizona under the refugee program. BCA was established in 2008

By Sarandon Raboin/Luce Foundation: Southwest Stories Fellowship

By Sarandon Raboin/Luce Foundation: Southwest Stories Fellowship

Sarandon Raboin/Luce Foundation: Southwest Stories Fellowship

Sarandon Raboin/Luce Foundation: Southwest Stories Fellowship The COVID-19 Pandemic has hit rural small businesses especially hard. Owners are struggling to pay their bills, and even survive. These owners don't necessarily get the same financial support from the federal government as owners in metropolitan areas. The non-profit "Local First Arizona" started providing financial grants to small businesses, especially focusing on those in rural areas of Arizona. These grants have been the saving grace of some rural small business owners. Reporter Sarandon Raboin spoke with some of the owners who were helped by "Local First Arizona".

ASU Center for the Study of Religion and Conflict receives $150K to help groups serving communities hit hard by pandemic In Arizona, some of the communities hit hardest by the coronavirus pandemic have been the same communities whose plight often goes unnoticed — refugees, asylum-seekers, DACA recipients, mixed-status migrants and Native American tribes. In a move that is new to the Arizona State University Center for the Study of Religion and Conflict, it has been able to award grants ranging from $3,000 to $10,000 to 13 separate organizations serving the state’s most vulnerable communities, after receiving $150,000 in funding from the Henry Luce Foundation.

By Katelyn Keenehan | Luce Foundation: Southwest Stories Fellowship

By Sarandon Raboin | Luce Foundation: Southwest Stories Fellowship

Before students return to campus in the Fall, ASU is promoting mask wearing as a public health measure. These are from ASU’s main Facebook page as well as the page for the School of Historical, Philosophical, and Religious Studies.

Phoenix Mayor Gallego highlights the city in crisis as corona cases surge. Gallego also notes that her requests for federal assistance have largely been ignored. The Mayor talks about overwhelmed health centers in the state and the lack of tests available. Arizona continues to be a global hotspot for the virus for the past few weeks. As a hometown Phoenician, it saddens me to see my sates role in the pandemic story. Just this week Arizona went back into partial lockdown as ICU's filled up. I want to keep adding Arizona stories to the archive in order to document the poor response here from both the government and public. The state traded in a few weeks of being fully reopened for potentially months of re-lockdown.

The Washington Post released an article today titled "How Arizona lost control of the epidemic", highlighting the dramatic increase in cases in the state. Governing decisions and lacking health mandates are being pointed to as why the state has become a global hotspot. Cases were quite low early on, as the state participated in the national lockdown. However, as the state as fully reopened cases have skyrocketed. Governor Ducey came out today in a press conference with a notably different attitude than his previous tone of dismissing the spike in cases, declaring the spike in cases unacceptable but declined to provide info on a second lockdown. Arizona's role in the story of this pandemic is becoming clear, and is unfortunately a negative one. I felt as though this article and even just its title describes the current situation in the state. In terms of how the pandemic will be studied, Arizona is currently providing the example of what not to do, as other states and countries provide a more positive example. As an Arizona local this is disturbing to me but not very surprising.

Popular night clubbing area "Old Town" in Scottsdale has been ordered to follow covid protocols when open to lower spread of the virus. Arizona has been fully open for some time now, including night clubs and bars. One popular night club in Old Town, Riot House, has been charged with a misdemeanor for failing to follow health protocols. Fully open close contact businesses like night clubs and bars have been pointed to as to why Arizona cases have spiked in recent weeks. As a student at Arizona State, i personally frequented Old Town and Riot House as many students do, so to see criminal charges being brought against them caught my eye. Although it is unlikely the owners will face serious legal trouble, it is clear they placed profit over health. Places like Riot House and other nightclubs currently open during the pandemic likely served as super spreader hot spots. These hot spots also likely played a large role in why Arizona is currently a global covid hotspot. I personally know many friends and acquaintances who attended night clubs in Old Town and Mill Ave in the previous weeks who have now tested positive for the virus.

Arizona was one of the earlier states that attempted to open from its lockdown, and had initially received mixed feedback on how things were going. As the reopenings have progressed through June, it is clear that Arizona is headed for trouble. The question seems to be just how much coronavirus can actually fit in the state.

@45isalier Retweeted an Arizona ER Physician describing the increases that are occurring in hospital bed usage in the state. It shows a worrying increase over the past several days as the state continues to reopen. Coming from someone who works in the ER and deals with the real effects of the coronavirus, it seems as though This item was added with TAGS v6.1.9.1. The initial search was made using #Arizona and this item was added to the collection because of its medical importance and contradicts the narrative that reopening now is appropriate.

My husband, two daughters and I drove up to Flagstaff, Arizona for a few days of relaxation and fun. Less than 2 hours from our home, Flagstaff is a mountain town and about 30 degrees cooler. As Arizona is opening up the state after the quarantine, there is evidence of safety precautions and practices everywhere. At the hotel, the seating area in the lobby was blocked off, and the free breakfast was a sack breakfast that you requested from the front desk. Even the bar area where there is usually a free happy hour was closed. The front desk staff wore masks, and they even had a sign up suggesting handshake alternatives. Housekeeping staff did not do a daily cleaning as a way to limit contact with guests. While out and about, most stores and restaurants were open, but with new policies in place. Every store and restaurant required masks for customers and had signs stating such at entrances. Some restaurants still only offered takeout, but others had patio space and limited indoor seating available. The first night we had dinner at Beaver Street Brewery and sat outside. We ordered our food at the bar before we were seated, then it was delivered to our table. There was very little interaction between guests and employees. The second night we did takeout from another local place, The Lumberyard, and took it to a local park for a picnic. Stores were limiting customers, requiring masks and encouraging social distancing by having barriers by the cash registers requiring distance between the cashier and the customer. In the downtown area, all public parking meters were covered, so customers could park for free while venturing out to stores and restaurants. The most important recently opened area for our family was the Mt. Humphry trail in the Kachina Peaks Wilderness. My husband climbed the mountain while we enjoyed the beautiful weather and scenery. There were no special restrictions on the mountain, but all of the hikers maintained space and were considerate of others. After being at home for so long, getting away for a day or two was wonderful. It also allowed us to get a glimpse of what the next few months could look like, and how we will adjust to lives with masks and restrictions. I refuse to call it a new normal, but a temporary adjustment is just fine.

Guidelines issued by the Arizona Department of Public Health to school districts concerning graduation ceremonies. ADHS did not recommend holding ceremonies, but if districts decided to they should follow the guidelines. CCUSD held 11 smaller ceremonies and followed all CDC, ADHS and their insurance carriers recommended safety guidelines. Guidelines outlined by the CDC were part of the recommendation.

A waiver that parents and students had to sign in order to attend smaller graduation ceremonies. Cactus Shadows High School offered 11 smaller ceremonies to graduates and 2 guests as an option since the traditional ceremony was canceled.

Letter from our Principal, Jim Swetter, about the alternative graduation ceremonies for 2020 Cactus Shadows High School seniors.

A photo of my son before his reimagined graduation ceremony at Cactus Shadows High School. Masks were required of all students and their 2 guests.

Covid-19 and my academic experience. #PimaCC #WRT102

This document is a description and outline of the first Virtual AZ Pride event.

Maya wanted to celebrate her 6th birthday at the pool. Per state law, Arizona pools were closed. I even tried local hotels to see if any would let me rent a room in order to access the pool. No luck. In the end, we decided to bend some local rules and try to swim in Rio Salado, gaining access via the boat launch. We swam in the warm water for about an hour before a park official warned us that the police could ticket us. It was almost nap time for the 1 yo, and we were ready to leave anyway. It wasn't a pool, but we did get to swim. The day was declared a success by my 6yo who declared it "the best birthday ever." Photo from left to right: Julián Peralta-Kole, Katy Kole de Peralta, Maya Peralta-Kole, and Cassie Ashdown.

Spring is a magical time in the desert. The weather and cacti blooms are nothing short of amazing. My two young daughters and I spent a lot of time outside during this quarantine and always looked forward to our daily walks where we could admire the bright colors and unique shapes of the cacti blooms. We feel so blessed to live in such a beautiful area.

Local photographers, inspired by other groups across the country, are offering families photo sessions from the safety of their own front porches. The Arizona Front Porch Project photographers are donating 30% of proceeds to local charities. Families choose props and locations, and can get creative with their photo sessions.

From Facebook: "Join for a discussion about Arizona's LGBTQ Community reponse to being quarantined. Special Guest will be Equality Arizona, RipplePHX, Social Distancing Hotline, Virtual Arizona Pride, and PHX Gayborhood Pride. Hosted by the Arizona LGBT+ History Project"

Our school district, Cave Creek Unified, only has seven schools- 5 elementary, 1 middle and 1 high school. The kids have been out since March 16th, which was a week before Spring Break. Most of the schools do various spirit weeks throughout the year, and most of the schools do some sort of spirit week towards the end of the year. The Cactus Shadows HS PTO (partner teacher organization) put together a series of dress up days/events to do during Teacher Appreciation week and the rest of the year. All of the schools are encouraged to participate and they will post photos to the website. Things like this remind me that I live in a really close knit community which is very comforting. It also reminds me that all of the kids are missing out on some of the best parts of the school year. My senior is missing biggies: graduation, prom, Sr. ditch day, etc, but my Sophomore and 8th grader are also missing out on fun stuff, not to mention their education. The elementary kids are often forgotten in all of this, other than their antics during zoom meetings, but they too are missing out on fun end of the year performances, promotions, parties and all of the fun stuff that kids remember. Teacher Appreciation Week is also going to be virtual, and while I know teachers don't teach because of the rewards of teacher appreciation week, they all value the kind words and gestures every year. I hope lots of students participate, and make the most of virtual spirit days.

Since schools have been out since mid-March, the local elementary school in Cave Creek invited families to drive by the school so they could wave to their teachers. This is the digital flier they sent to families to invite them to the "Twilight Tunes Parade".

Law students from Arizona State University will be accepted students without the LSAT or GRE scores during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Luckily my 5 yo continues to lead a fairly normal life. Her screen time is usually limited to when her brother naps, (about 2 hrs. a day), and she is happy to spend the rest of the day playing, painting, and singing. Occasionally, she does talk about missing school, her friends, and her nana in Michigan, but we can usually patch over the pain with a video call.

It's hard to keep an active 1 yo entertained when the parks are closed, swim class was canceled, and I can't even take him to the supermarket for a light distraction. So, I caved. I broke down after watching him cry and say "I want," repeatedly while stretching his hands towards his sister's paints and paintbrushes. On Friday night, I figured, sure it's going to be a mess, and it might be a disaster, but provided he doesn't eat it, it's harmless.

Here in Arizona, salons and barbers were initially designated as "essential services," but the day before all the members of our family were scheduled to have haircuts, they were ordered to close. This has left us with long unruly hair. Eli, shown here, has been growing his hair out, but it's never been this long. He now has a "man bun," for which we endlessly tease (though he wears it as a point of honor.). This question about what is essential and what is not, as well as how we handle such simple grooming as hairstyle have taken new meaning for us during the pandemic.

Experimenting with filters to take images of the supermoon rising over the McDowells. I am colossally bored and find distraction in nature.

With the stay-at-home order and school closures in effect, we see more children and youth playing outside. A popular activity in our neighborhood in South Tempe is to make chalk drawings on driveways. At this house, the kids chalked out their message to stay home and stay safe (along with an Easter egg).

Dora the bulldog explorer spies on neighbors during an Uber Eats food delivery.

This is my son doing his ASU orientation online instead of in person. He signed up for his orientation in the fall, and he and his dad were looking forward to driving to Tempe and spending the day at ASU and getting ready to start in the Fall. Instead, his orientation is now via zoom. As a High School senior, Covid19 has hit him pretty hard: no last club soccer game, no Prom, no Senior ditch day, no graduation. Visiting ASU for orientation was another thing he was looking forward to that he is now missing.

Today marks my 7 year anniversary with a major airline right out Phoenix Sky Harbor. Although I wish circumstances were better, there has never been a day where I've seen the airport so empty, a ghost town. Due to COVID-19 we have dropped nearly 75% in revenue. In fact, most people think of the airpot as dangerous but when I go to work I only see other co-workers walking around, which is less than the grocery stores at this point. It's sad to see all the vendors and stores closed down. We all know this will take a while until things pick back up, months even. Until then we are all washing our hands, disinfecting everything we can, avoiding touching passengers boarding passes and remaining in high spirits.

North Scottsdale Shopping Scene - A Drive By at Kierland Commons and The Scottsdale Quarter. 1:30pm Friday afternoon.

Despues de mas de 3 meses de ataque del Covid-19 a la humanidad, la comunidad de Arizona esperaba que el gobernador Doug Ducey ordenara la cuarentena para disminuir la propagacion del virus en este Estado. AZ Radio Latina se dio a la tarea de recorrer algunos sitios de interes del area metropolitana para ver como reacciona la sociedad a la orden emitida desde las 5pm del primero de abril del 2020.

Maya Peralta-Kole meets with classmates and shares what she has been doing at home while Tempe Public Schools have been closed.

This was one of several signs near the parking lot, reminding people to keep apart even if they were out to take a walk or bikeride along The Loop. Signs were not here a week ago. Photo taken at Ramada of the south parking lot of Swan by the Rillito Loop walk, Tucson Arizona, 6:26 am.

Esquer Park in Tempe, Arizona has locked up its skate park and covered all of its seating areas and play equipment in caution tape. Even the basketball court has caution tape, wrapped around the exterior of the court by the basketball hoop poles.

Black Mountain Tavern and Distillery, located in Cave Creek, AZ, is making hand sanitizer to sell to the public amid shortages. They are also encouraging take out orders, and their brand of Vodka and Bourbon. Small businesses, like local restaurants, are trying to stay afloat during the Pandemic and keep employees paid and employed.

There I was, at the grocery store. As I approached the checkout line, I waited, to let the man ahead of me have some space. As he paid I put my groceries on the conveyor, figuring the space between us was more than sufficient. He looked at me and asked, “a little close, aren’t you?” I thought I was sufficiently distant. I said, “ excuse me.” In a perturbed voice, he asked, “Did you see the sign?” What sign? I wondered? I decided to step back and as I stepped back, I looked for the sign. There it was. So, I snapped this picture as he finished. He left. I checked out. As I left the store, I noticed that same guy laughing and joking with his buddies. Not two feet from each other. I laughed to myself. So much for social distancing.

Starting on Saturday, March 21st, Starbucks closed its cafe stores until further notice. Drive thru stores also closed down their cafes, but are still open for mobile order and drive thru order. Picture is the Hayden and Osborn Starbucks location in Scottsdale, AZ.