Commissioner Lacey Fisher and her colleagues on the bench are doing everything they can to help Maricopa County families, including swinging a hammer to help construct a home for one Valley family.
Prior to the start of the holiday season, R.O.B.E.S. (Reaching Out and Building Engagement Through Service), a group of 14 judicial officers known for their generosity and community outreach efforts, rolled up their sleeves and put on their hard hats. Working alongside Habitat for Humanity volunteers, the judicial officers spent half a day raising two-by-fours and pounding nails. The home, located in Peoria, is expected to take several months to complete. When completed, a family of eight will move into the residence.
“Working together as a team alongside the Habitat volunteers was rewarding,” Commissioner Lacey Fisher said. “Not only did we learn new skills and use power tools, but we also had the chance to see tangible progress take shape right in front of us. The best part of the experience was the shared sense of purpose − knowing that every nail we hammered and every board we placed was directly contributing to a future home for a family in need.”
Assisting Habitat for Humanity was an ideal opportunity for R.O.B.E.S. to engage with community members in a meaningful, non-courtroom setting.
“It was gratifying to be part of the initial phase of construction, but our plans are to return to volunteer again − both to see the progress of the home and to continue supporting the family and the Maricopa County community. The chance to witness the transformation over time, and to contribute to it firsthand, would make the experience even more meaningful,” Commissioner Fisher said.
Habitat for Humanity provides families with safe, affordable housing. They select homeowners based on three criteria: the applicant’s level of need, willingness to partner with Habitat for Humanity and ability to repay a mortgage through an affordable payment plan.
“I’m very proud of the collective effort, paired with the camaraderie that developed throughout the day on the Habitat for Humanity project,” Commissioner Fisher added. “But I would also like to thank Arizona Supreme Court Justice Maria Elena Cruz and members of the Judicial Branch Security Team who were there to help.”
Members of the R.O.B.E.S. team include Judge Brian Palmer, Commissioner Lindsey Coates, Commissioner Jackie Ireland, Commissioner Keelan Bodow, Judge Kevin Wein, Judge Jim Knapp, Judge Frank Moskowitz, Judge Elizabeth Bingert, Judge Monica Edelstein, Commissioner Christian Bell, Commissioner Lacey Fisher, Judge Justin Beresky, Commissioner Therese Gantz, and Commissioner Sabra Siedare.
This holiday season, R.O.B.E.S. is happy to once again partner with the Juvenile Department to support the Arizona Department of Child Safety’s 10th Annual Giving Tree campaign. Last year, Superior Court’s judicial officers sponsored 150 youth and raised over $3,000.
The goal of R.O.B.E.S. is to provide the community with genuine, positive interactions with judicial officers, while contributing to a stronger, more connected Maricopa County through dedicated volunteer service.