Shared connections can make lasting impacts, both personally and professionally. As a college student, Roxanna Diehl managed a photo studio and often photographed a young child with Down syndrome. She became close with his family, and they connected her to opportunities that helped shape her career.
Originally a nursing student, Roxanna realized her passion for helping others through college internships. After graduation, the child’s mother, who served on the board of Southwest Human Development, encouraged Roxanna to apply for a position there. Roxanna soon began working in child development, serving in Healthy Families, Smooth Way Home and as a coordinator for the Arizona Early Intervention Program (AzEIP). “I was able to work with families from so many different backgrounds,” she said.
Her professional knowledge became personal when her own daughter was born with developmental delays. Roxanna immediately connected with AzEIP and learned the value of parent well-being and community support. Wanting more time with her family, she transitioned to a part-time role at Raising Special Kids, now Encircle Families, in 2024.
“This position was my first exposure to parent connections,” Roxanna said. “I should have called a long time ago. This was exactly what I needed as a parent.” Through Encircle Families’ Parent to Parent Connection program, she can request matches for parents to volunteers who faced similar diagnoses or challenges.
As a bilingual Family Support Specialist, Roxanna provides information and support. She also presents workshops to educators and medical professionals to build awareness of the challenges families can face.
An Arizona native, Roxanna grew up in Queen Creek, graduated from Arizona State University, and now lives in Waddell with her husband and daughter. She enjoys Zumba, true crime thrillers and volunteering in the Latino community. Grateful for her role at Encircle Families, Roxanna values its philosophy of parents helping parents, which has benefitted her family and countless others.
