As the Director of the Delta Dental of Arizona Foundation, I am proud of our ongoing commitment to improving the health and well-being of the communities we serve. A key part of this mission is our longstanding partnership with Neighborhood Outreach Access to Health (NOAH). Together, we’ve been able to create an impact on communities where access to health services can be limited.
One of our most exciting collaborations with NOAH recently came to life through the addition of a Little Free Library at NOAH’s Cholla Health Center in Scottsdale. In November 2024, we celebrated this important initiative with NOAH’s CEO, Wendy Armendariz, and Southwest Human Development’s Jake Adams, who coordinates the construction and placement of the Little Free Library’s. We dedicated the library, stocked with dozens of books, including topics on oral health, to benefit local children and families.
At Delta Dental of Arizona, we believe that health and education go hand in hand. That’s why we love the Little Free Library program. It’s more than just a book exchange—it’s a way to inspire children to develop a love of reading and learning. As NOAH’s Wendy Armendariz said, “Our whole person approach to patient care focuses on head-to-toe health, which includes establishing the love for learning at an early age.” By helping to provide books that children can take home, we’re giving them a chance to access educational resources that might otherwise be out of reach.
This initiative isn’t a one-time project for us. Since 2013, Delta Dental of Arizona has been a dedicated supporter of NOAH, funding essential services like dental exams, cleanings, sealants and even emergency dental care. Our partnership also led to the creation of a Mouth-Healthy Cookbook, which educates families about the connection between good nutrition and oral health. The addition of the Little Free Library is just the latest chapter in our ongoing work to improve the health and wellness of our communities in creative, meaningful ways.
As we move forward, I’m excited to continue our partnership with NOAH and to see how initiatives like the Little Free Library program can make a lasting impact. The community’s health is at the heart of what we do, and I’m grateful to be part of an organization that is so dedicated to improving lives in such meaningful ways. Together, we’re ensuring that the families we serve have the resources and support they need to live healthier, happier lives.
