Page 42 October 2016 Opening Dec 2016 MIDTOWN PHOENIX CAMPUS 2005 E Indian School Rd Phoenix, AZ 85016 By Mallory Gleich Imagine a group of Burmese women sitting in a classroom. They’re nervous. They’re excited. They’re learning how to speak English, as they have just arrived in Arizona from their native country, Burma. Now, imagine you’re an instructor in this classroom, and your students, having learned that one of the other staff members is having a birthday that day, decide to sing Happy Birthday . In English. Would you get tears in your eyes? Because that’s what happened to Michele Eckert. Michele, who works with Refugee Focus, a program through Lutheran Social Services of the Southwest, experiences these moments constantly with her students. Michele grew up in a small town in Connecticut. She graduated from Central Connecticut State University with a degree in sociology. A year later she decided to join AmeriCorps, a version of the Peace Corps. She was sent to Arizona for a year and has been here ever since. Although it’s over two decades and several career changes later, Michele still finds joy in working in the social services sector. Ten months ago, Michele wanted another change. While searching on Idealist.org, she stumbled upon a program called Refugee Focus, which is a resettlement agency for refugees arriving in Arizona. Through Lutheran Social Services of the Southwest, Refugee Focus helps the refugees in Arizona assimilate themselves into the American culture. Michele specifically works in the Women’s Empowerment Program. “We help refugee women so that they are at a point of self-sufficiency,” said Michele. Once refugees arrive in Arizona, they are placed in a resettlement agency. From there, they are taught things like how to flush a toilet and how to turn on an oven. Then, they must decide what job they’d like to take on, and for refugee women, that’s where Michele comes in. Michele works as the business specialist. Through this, she teaches women a multitude of things, such as computer skills and leadership skills. She also teaches English to her students, as most of them do not speak it when they come to Arizona. During their time in the Women’s Empowerment Program, Michele also helps refugees decide which career path to take. There are classes for home daycare, computer work and even a sewing class where students can sell the goods they’ve made in the class. “People are people. The people that are here today have the same hopes, dreams and aspirations for their kids as my great- grandparents did in 1904 when they came through Ellis Island,” said Michele. “My job is to help [these refugee women] get comfortable in this strange new land.” Refugee Focus helps women prepare for the future Michele Eckert works with Refugee Focus to teach English to women from various foreign countries.

Page 43 October 2016 Stop doing and start simply being at Current Meditation. Our novel approach re-imagines meditation for the modern world, helping you live a more mindful and authentic life. Start your journey this November at Current, the place to be. INTRODUCING ARCADIA’S NEWEST PLACE TO BE SEEN. BOOK A CLASS becurrent.com Arcadia Studio | SW Corner of 44th St and Indian School Rd | 602.522.2000 By Nick Smith We all know working out is important but it can be hard to find time in our busy schedules. Luckily for us, the Arcadia neighborhood offers a variety of workout spots that you can get in and out of in as little as a half hour. SIMPLY CARDIO 4270 N. Scottsdale Road Scottsdale, AZ 85251 480-945-2282 www.simplycardio.com Known as “the gym for busy people,” Simply Cardio opened its doors in Old Town Scottsdale this September. Members can walk in anytime during business hours and work out at their own convenience, no class schedule needed. The 30-minute program includes a 12-station cardio and core circuit. HOT YOGA UNIVERSITY 1410 N. Scottsdale Road Scottsdale, AZ 85257 480-946-0470 www.hotyogau.com Hot Yoga University is a physical workout combined with a focus on spirituality, peace and inner awareness. If you are in a time crunch, sign up for the HOTFIIT class, which combines yoga, extreme fitness and Tai Chi into one high intensity workout. FIT REPUBLIC 7135 E. Camelback Road, Suite 235 Scottsdale, AZ 85251 www.citizenoffit.com Four different studios house over 140 classes a week at Fit Republic. A quick hit option is the 30-minute CrossFit workouts that are offered multiple times a week at 6:30 a.m. CAMELBACK VILLAGE RACQUET & HEALTH CLUB 4444 E. Camelback Road Phoenix, AZ 85018 www.villageclubs.com The Village offers a dozens of different workout classes each day, including Yoga, CrossFit, Dance Fusion, Cycling and Power Walking. Check out the half hour Core Roll and Release classes. PLANET FITNESS 3975 E. Thomas Road Phoenix, AZ 85018 www.planetfitness.com The PF 30-Minute Express Circuit is designed for those who need to get in and out of the gym quickly. It combines ten strength machines and ten cardio-step stations for a full body workout. Planet Fitness is open 24 hours a day and membership fees start at only $10 a month. Take 5: Quick workout spots in the Arcadia area Simply Cardio Hot Yoga University Fit Republic Camelback Village Planet Fitness