Meet Darin Moss of Avondale

Today we’d like to introduce you to Darin Moss

Hi Darin, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
Darin and Kara Moss began their remarkable journey over a decade ago when they opened their hearts and home as foster parents. For ten years, they dedicated themselves to providing a safe, loving environment for children in Arizona’s foster care system, caring for more than 25 foster children during that time. What began as a desire to provide temporary refuge for children in need soon transformed into a lifelong mission of love and service.

Throughout their foster care journey, the Mosses were deeply moved by the challenges these children faced. Many arrived at their home with nothing but the clothes on their backs, carrying few if any personal belongings. Witnessing this, Darin and Kara felt a profound calling to do more—not only for the children passing through their home but for the thousands of foster children across the state of Arizona.

Their compassion didn’t end with fostering. The Mosses made the life-changing decision to adopt eight of the children they fostered, four of whom were siblings, ensuring that they could stay together as a family. Their decision to adopt reflected their deep commitment to providing not just temporary care but permanent love, stability, and a sense of belonging for these children. It was an act of boundless love that forever transformed the lives of their children and reaffirmed their calling to help others in the foster care system.

While their experience as foster and adoptive parents was life-changing, Darin and Kara knew that there was more to be done for the larger foster community. In response to the overwhelming need for basic necessities and emotional support for foster children, they founded A Mighty Change of Heart (AMCHAZ) eight years ago. The nonprofit began with a single, powerful idea: to provide personalized duffle bags filled with essential items to foster children during the difficult transition into the foster care system. What started as a simple mission to help a few hundred children has since grown into a beacon of hope for more than 10,500 children across Arizona.

AMCHAZ continues to provide foster children with essential resources, including clothing, hygiene products, school supplies, and backpacks. The organization’s programs help ease the burdens that foster families face, ensuring that these children have the tools they need to thrive despite their challenging circumstances. The Mosses’ personal experience as foster parents gives them unique insight into the specific needs of foster children and families, allowing AMCHAZ to offer targeted, meaningful support.

As AMCHAZ enters a new chapter with the opening of its warehouse at 9950 W. Van Buren St., Suite 108, Avondale, AZ, the organization is poised to help even more children across the state. This larger facility will allow AMCHAZ to expand its operations, increasing the number of children they can support and the range of resources they can provide.

At the heart of A Mighty Change of Heart are Darin and Kara Moss—two individuals who have turned their personal experiences into a powerful force for good. Their unwavering commitment to improving the lives of foster children in Arizona has made a lasting impact on thousands of children and families. Through their work, they have shown that love, compassion, and community action can create a mighty change in the world, one child at a time.

As Darin and Kara Moss continue their journey, their story serves as an inspiration to us all—a testament to the power of dedication, selflessness, and the belief that every child deserves to feel loved and supported. Their extraordinary journey exemplifies how a single family can make a profound difference, touching countless lives in the process.

For Darin and Kara, A Mighty Change of Heart is more than just an organization; it is a labor of love and a mission to ensure that every foster child in Arizona knows they are cared for, cherished, and never forgotten.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
From our perspective, it has certainly not been a smooth road—every step of this journey has come with its own set of challenges. Being foster parents for 10 years and caring for over 25 children, we faced the emotional highs and lows that come with saying goodbye to children we had grown to love and cherish, knowing we had provided them a safe place during their time with us. There were also the sleepless nights, the uncertainty of court dates, and the weight of wondering if the children would return to situations where they might not receive the care they needed.

Adopting eight children, including a sibling group of four, was a beautiful and rewarding experience, but it was also incredibly demanding. Balancing the needs of our children—each with their own trauma, stories, and challenges—required an immense amount of time, patience, and emotional resilience. We had to navigate the complexities of parenting children from different backgrounds while ensuring each one felt valued and loved as an individual and as part of our family.

Starting A Mighty Change of Heart added another layer of responsibility to our lives. We knew the need was great, and that motivated us, but building a nonprofit from the ground up while juggling our full-time jobs and parenting was a test of our endurance. There were moments when the work felt overwhelming, from securing donations and managing logistics to organizing community events and ensuring we reached as many children as possible. The financial strain of running a nonprofit without consistent funding sources and relying heavily on volunteers presented its own set of challenges.

However, through every obstacle, we have found strength in our mission and in each other. We are reminded daily that the work we do is making a difference, not only for the children we’ve fostered and adopted but for the thousands of children we’ve been able to support through A Mighty Change of Heart. The struggles we’ve faced have only deepened our commitment and passion for this cause, and they have reinforced the belief that every child deserves to feel seen, loved, and valued.

The road hasn’t been easy, but we wouldn’t trade it for anything. It’s the challenges that have shaped us, strengthened our resolve, and inspired us to keep moving forward, knowing that even the smallest act of love and kindness can create a mighty change.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
A Mighty Change of Heart is a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the lives of foster and kinship children in Arizona. We provide essential resources and emotional support to children as they transition into foster care, ensuring they have what they need to feel valued and secure during difficult times. Our mission is to make sure that every child in foster care knows they are not alone and that they are loved.

One of our core programs is our Duffle Bag Program, where we provide personalized duffle bags filled with essentials like clothing, hygiene products, and comfort items. These bags not only meet the immediate needs of children entering foster care but also serve as a tangible reminder that someone cares for them. Many children enter the system with nothing but the clothes on their backs, and we aim to provide them with dignity and comfort from day one.

We also offer a variety of other programs, including back-to-school bags, community events for foster families, and educational resources like tutoring. We recognize that foster children and families need comprehensive support, so we strive to be there for them in as many ways as possible.

We are most proud of the fact that, over the past eight years, we have been able to provide over 10,500 personalized duffle bags and other resources to foster children across Arizona. Each bag represents more than just basic necessities; it’s a message to each child that they are seen, valued, and not forgotten. It’s our way of telling them they are part of a community that supports and believes in them.

What sets us apart from others is our personal connection to the mission. Our founders, Darin and Kara Moss, have been foster parents themselves, caring for over 25 children and adopting eight of them into their family. This firsthand experience gives us unique insight into the needs and challenges of foster families. We understand the emotional and financial burdens these families face, and we work tirelessly to alleviate those stresses so they can focus on providing love and stability.

Another aspect that distinguishes us is that we are the only Qualifying Foster Care Charitable Organization in the West Valley, which means we are deeply embedded in the community we serve. Our commitment is not just about delivering resources; it’s about building lasting relationships with the children and families we support.

Ultimately, our work is about making a difference—one child, one family at a time. We are passionate about ensuring that every foster child in Arizona feels the warmth and love of a community that stands behind them, and we are committed to continuing our mission to create a mighty change in their lives.

What do you like best about our city? What do you like least?
Although we’ve only been here for two months, we’ve already felt an incredible sense of community and support from the city. What we like best is the welcoming spirit and generosity of the people. It’s clear that this is a place where people care about their neighbors and are eager to support meaningful causes like ours. The local businesses, community organizations, and individuals we’ve connected with have gone above and beyond to make us feel at home and to rally behind our mission to help foster children. It’s a city with a big heart, and that’s something we deeply appreciate.

As for what we like least, it’s hard to say since our experience has been so positive. If anything, we’d love to see more awareness and resources available for foster and kinship families in the area. The need is great, and while we’ve encountered incredible support, there’s always room to expand efforts and create more opportunities for families and children who could benefit from additional services. That’s something we’re committed to working on as we grow in this wonderful city.

Pricing:

• Free support for Foster children

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.amchaz.org
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/amch_az?utm_source=ig_profile_share&igshid=1c6vt879hvqt1
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/amightychangeofheart/