Vera Marinez’s sister had Down’s Syndrome. In 1963, the family left Pennsylvania for the drier climate of Arizona. There were no services for her sister, so her mother – Mary Lees – made that her passion. She began several programs, including bringing Special Olympics to the state, and started the Special Services Section for the city of Phoenix.

One of those projects was the concept of ARCH – Arizona Recreation Center for the Handicapped.

Vera has worked full time at ARCH for 43 years. The five-acre recreation center in the heart of Phoenix, features a full range of skills-based programs and activities, enabling adults and children with developmental disabilities to obtain higher levels of physical well-being, pride, independence, and self-esteem.

It offers a drop-in program, a day treatment center for adults, and the ARCHKids Program, an after-school offering for children. Most of all, it becomes a second family for participants.

Click here to learn more about ARCH: https://archaz.org/

Original air date: January 29, 2026.

Vera Marinez&rsquo;s sister had Down&rsquo;s Syndrome. In 1963, the family left Pennsylvania for the drier climate of Arizona. There were no services for her sister, so her mother &ndash; Mary Lees &ndash; made that her passion. She began several programs, including bringing Special Olympics to the state, and started the Special Services Section for the city of Phoenix.
One of those projects was the concept of ARCH &ndash; Arizona Recreation Center for the Handicapped.
Vera has worked full time at ARCH for 43 years. The five-acre recreation center in the heart of Phoenix, features a full range of skills-based programs and activities, enabling adults and children with developmental disabilities to obtain higher levels of physical well-being, pride, independence, and self-esteem.
It offers a drop-in program, a day treatment center for adults, and the ARCHKids Program, an after-school offering for children. Most of all, it becomes a second family for participants.
Click here to learn more about ARCH: <a href="https://archaz.org/">https://archaz.org/</a> 
Original air date: January 29, 2026.

The Rescuers radio show provides an opportunity to spotlight people who are working behind the scenes to make this world a better place. These people serve as inspiration and idea starters to encourage others to find creative ways to impact their community, their city, and the world.

Host Art Brooks has spent his career in broadcasting, both as on-air talent and in representing the industry as president and CEO of the Arizona Broadcasters Association for nearly 30 years. He was the driving force behind an Emmy-winning series of documentaries on drug abuse that combined a phone bank of 100 seasoned counselors and history-making "roadblock," as every TV station in Arizona and many radio stations broadcast the groundbreaking show on the same day at the same time. He also was instrumental in starting AZ AMBER Alert (one of two states in the nation where broadcasters initiated the program), helped form the Native American Broadcast Institute at Northern Arizona University and consulted with broadcasters in Bulgaria to help build commercial radio as the country was coming out of communism.

Rescuers airs 5:30-6 p.m. AZ time Thursdays on KPXQ-AM Faith Talk 1360, beginning May 7, 2020. Based in Phoenix, it is available internationally online. We invite you to submit names of heroes you think would be good subjects for the show - just message us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/rescuersradioshow/

The Rescuers radio show provides an opportunity to spotlight people who are working behind the scenes to make this world a better place. These people serve as inspiration and idea starters to encourage others to find creative ways to impact their community, their city, and the world. Host Art Brooks has spent his career in broadcasting, both as on-air talent and in representing the industry as president and CEO of the Arizona Broadcasters Association for nearly 30 years. He was the driving force behind an Emmy-winning series of documentaries on drug abuse that combined a phone bank of 100 seasoned counselors and history-making "roadblock," as every TV station in Arizona and many radio stations broadcast the groundbreaking show on the same day at the same time. He also was instrumental in starting AZ AMBER Alert (one of two states in the nation where broadcasters initiated the program), helped form the Native American Broadcast Institute at Northern Arizona University and consulted with broadcasters in Bulgaria to help build commercial radio as the country was coming out of communism. Rescuers airs 5:30-6 p.m. AZ time Thursdays on KPXQ-AM Faith Talk 1360, beginning May 7, 2020. Based in Phoenix, it is available internationally online. We invite you to submit names of heroes you think would be good subjects for the show - just message us on Facebook at <a href="https://www.facebook.com/rescuersradioshow/">https://www.facebook.com/rescuersradioshow/</a>

Rescuers radio show

An inspiring program highlighting everyday heroes who change and save lives, making the world around us a better place.

An inspiring program highlighting everyday heroes who change and save lives, making the world around us a better place.