On November 19, 2025, Prevent Child Abuse Arizona convened thought partners from across the state for a Design Lab, an idea born from our team’s participation in the Imagination Factory Conference earlier this year. The day was facilitated by Holly Truitt.
The session invited attendees to imagine what becomes possible when Arizona dares to innovate in family support.
The day opened with three powerful “Spark” presentations, highlighting bold initiatives in Arizona that began as small ideas and have since grown into blazing examples of community impact. These examples were proof that innovation can start small and scale powerfully. This inspiration carried directly into the Design Lab that followed.
In five small groups, participants worked through a rapid-paced Accelerator model, designing prototypes for supporting families long before crisis. The energy was quick, creative, and grounded in the belief that everyone in the room was an innovator.
Before the event, only 60% of participants felt confident that Arizona has the right conditions to generate new strategies for family support. Afterward, 100% – every single respondent – agreed that those conditions exist. The event amplified our shared hope.
Participants described the day as energizing and unifying:
- “More of us must see hope as an active verb and not a passive noun.”
- “Me + You = WE. I believe we can make a change.”
Just as the lab centered possibility, a generous moment elevated what’s already working. At the conclusion of the day, Chick-fil-A restaurant operators joined the convening to present proceeds from their fall Brownies for Benefit campaign—an incredible, record-setting $72,701 in flexible funding for Prevent Child Abuse Arizona.
Many Design Lab teams explored how private–nonprofit partnerships can accelerate bold ideas. Chick-fil-A is a shining example of that partnership in action. Their commitment to strengthening Arizona families, paired with flexible funding that allows for creativity and adaptation, helps move innovative concepts from ideation into implementation.
This day was a reminder of existing strong partners, shared purpose, and what can be made possible when Arizona imagines boldly together.
Published Dec. 1, 2025