In his life, everything happens for a reason.

After working four decades as a project manager in the aerospace industry, recent retiree Nabil Said decided it was time to give back to his community. Then Nabil learned about Maryvale’s Emergency Placement Center (EPC) and its mission to help children, 6 to 12-year-old boys and girls suffering from abuse, neglect and abandonment by their families. He was certain that he had to do something – something more than his monthly financial contribution.

“Maryvale triggered something inside of me because I have children and grandchildren who are very lucky,” he said.

Nabil decided to spend one to two afternoons a week with boys living in the EPC. For children whose lives have been turned upside down, with only uncertainty, sadness and fear to greet them each day, the loving presence and care of a returning volunteer like Nabil brings them hope on an emotional level. “You can tell the kids are starving for attention,” he said. “I worked with one 10-year-old, Danny, who was silent and was struggling. I remember the first time I met Danny, he was closed up.” After repeated visits, Danny welcomed Nabil and spoke animatedly.

Though volunteering has been a rewarding experience for Nabil, he quickly acknowledges the harsh realities of foster children’s lives. “People at Maryvale are so compassionate with the kids,” he said. “It’s a special place. However, the children will eventually have to move on because it’s short-term, so you do what you can (when they are with you). I talk to my older grandsons about the children at Maryvale. These foster kids don’t have one percent of what they have, so they should be thankful.”