Youth on Their Own

Because of you, Youth On Their Own has been able to support the high school graduation and continued success of over 15,000 homeless and abandoned youth in Southern Arizona since 1986 by providing financial assistance, basic human needs and guidance.

You may not see yourself as a hero, but young people like Andrew Smith do. At age 15, Andrew suffered the devastating loss of his father. His home life continued to be unstable and racked with financial duress. When Andrew's mother was unable to support the family on her income alone, he took a restaurant dishwashing job in addition to attending classes at Canyon Del Oro High School. Junior year, Andrew's school counselor identified him as a high risk teen and encouraged him to apply for the YOTO program.

YOTO provided Andrew with financial and emoritonal support at at ime when he had none. The assistance allowed Andrew to focus on his school work, where he excelled, and in his senior year, Andrew was awarded the YOTO Master of Arts Award Scholarship and attended Santa Monica College in Los Angeles. He continued to garner support; the US Department of State Gilman Scholarship in 2004, and the Cal Berkeley Alumni Award in 2005. Andrew graduated from UC Berkley in 2007 and was awarded the distinguished Rotary Ambassadorial Scholarship to pursue his MBA at Trinity College in Dublin, Ireland.

"YOTO taught me to believe, hope, and try for more. I cannot completely articulate YOTO's influence on my thinking...but I can say, it changed how I viewed the world and my role within it. I believe in YOTO and feel they provide critical support services and guidance to youth at times that they most need it. There is no better or effective model to mitigate at risk youth than by on hands guidance and financial resources, especially when the individual has no stable home."

Your donation provides the power of hope through the promise of a diploma! Thank you for your generosity and support! You are OUR Hero!