Youth On Their Own
Youth On Their Own is a community resource serving Tucsonans in need.
About Youth On Their Own
Youth On Their Own (YOTO) is a Tucson-based community resource and dropout prevention program supporting the high school graduation and continued success of youth experiencing homelessness in Pima County. Its work centers on education, particularly the importance of earning a high school diploma as a tool for breaking the cycle of poverty. YOTO helps housing-insecure students remain in school by addressing practical barriers that can interfere with enrollment, attendance, and graduation.
Those barriers can include the inability to meet school enrollment requirements, frequent moves and instability, lack of transportation, poor health, fatigue, and hunger. Without the stability of a home or the support of a parent or guardian, students may struggle to attend school even when they are determined to continue their education. YOTO responds with financial assistance, basic human needs, guidance, and other support intended to help students stay in school and pursue continued success. The organization's website describes its approach in three areas: financial assistance, basic human needs, and guidance.
YOTO's roots reach back to 1986, when Ann Young, a guidance counselor in the Amphitheater School District, noticed talented and motivated students leaving school because they were homeless and living on their own without a parent or guardian. After discussing the situation with fellow teachers, Young presented an idea to a group at St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church that was focused on helping Tucson's homeless community. Her original proposal was to purchase a home for a group of homeless teenage girls. The congregation responded with support, and Young soon had a large group of volunteers. She raised $80,000 in a single morning, funding a group residence known as the St. Andrew's Friendly Environment, or SAFE, House.
The SAFE House closed after two years, when it became clear that the residence could not serve all the students needing help and had become too costly for one volunteer parent to manage. Families in the community stepped forward to care for students, and an unexpected grant from a New York City charitable foundation helped launch a stipend program that expanded assistance for homeless teens. Young continued pursuing grants and sharing the organization's work. Initially known as the Pima County Homeless Teen Project, the program later became Youth On Their Own. After gaining status as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit foundation, YOTO received a $100,000 Angel Charity grant in 1990 for the stipend program. That funding, along with a community advertising campaign, helped establish the organization as the program it is today.
YOTO reports that it has supported more than 20,000 local youth on their paths toward high school graduation. For the period from July 1, 2024, through June 30, 2025, the organization reports serving 1,459 youth, providing $1,539,086 in direct financial assistance, distributing 179,643 basic-needs items, and recording an 89 percent senior graduation rate. Its work is supported through community participation, including volunteering, financial gifts, Arizona charitable tax credit gifts, school supply efforts, fundraising, and other forms of giving. Community members can also support the organization through its Mini Mall, request a speaker, host a fundraiser, or use the community room rental program.
Students seeking support can begin through YOTO's student resources, including its YOTO portal, while former participants can connect through the organization's YOTO graduate option. Community members can sign up for email updates, volunteer, or explore ways to contribute. YOTO serves youth experiencing homelessness in Pima County and maintains its Tucson presence through its office and related services, with current location and hours information available through the organization.