Amphi Women and Girls Union organizes community-led hike and activities

The neighborhood group focuses on building safety, leadership, and community connections in Tucson's Amphi neighborhood.

Published on Feb. 12, 2026

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The Amphi Women and Girls Union, a neighborhood group in Tucson, Arizona, organized a community hike at Catalina State Park that brought together young women, girls, and their families. The union, led by Erica Prather, aims to empower residents and address issues like sexual harassment and lack of community resources through grassroots organizing and skill-building activities.

Why it matters

The Amphi neighborhood has faced challenges with crime and lack of community resources, leading the city to designate it as a Violence Interruption and Vitalization Action site. The Amphi Women and Girls Union is taking a community-led approach to addressing these issues, centering the voices and experiences of local residents, particularly women and girls, in shaping solutions.

The details

The hike brought together 25 participants ranging in age from 4 to 43, many of whom were experiencing their first hike. The group includes refugees, primarily from Afghanistan, and focuses on building leadership, safety, and community connections. Union members have also organized self-defense lessons, swim lessons, and are working with local organizations like Living Streets Alliance to plan community events and activities.

  • The Amphi Women and Girls Union was formed nearly a year ago.
  • The group organized the hike at Catalina State Park on February 12, 2026.

The players

Erica Prather

The founder of the Amphi Women and Girls Union, with a background in labor organizing and nonprofit work.

Rose Armendariz

An 18-year-old Amphi resident and one of the more experienced leaders in the union, who has lived in the neighborhood her entire life.

Khadija Saboor

An 18-year-old member of the Amphi Women and Girls Union who participated in the hike.

Tilisa Asukulu

A 17-year-old member of the Amphi Women and Girls Union who is working with Living Streets Alliance to help plan Cyclovia in the neighborhood.

Kate Saunders

The community engagement coordinator for Living Streets Alliance, which is partnering with the Amphi Women and Girls Union.

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What they’re saying

“I feel like it would just be better for more people to get together to try and solve issues in Amphi.”

— Rose Armendariz (azluminaria.org)

“There doesn't need to be another food distribution — there's literally one every day of the week. What's needed is a map you could hand to an unhoused person or a refugee who doesn't speak English.”

— Erica Prather, Founder, Amphi Women and Girls Union (azluminaria.org)

“It's a really great fit because the Amphi Women and Girls Union is focused on building power in their neighborhood and ensuring decisions are made by the people who live there.”

— Kate Saunders, Community Engagement Coordinator, Living Streets Alliance (azluminaria.org)

What’s next

The Amphi Women and Girls Union plans to continue organizing community hikes and activities, as well as working with local organizations like Living Streets Alliance to shape events and initiatives in the neighborhood.

The takeaway

The Amphi Women and Girls Union's community-led approach to addressing local issues and empowering residents, particularly women and girls, serves as a model for how grassroots organizing can drive meaningful change in underserved neighborhoods.