A Phoenix organization that builds public-private initiatives to support underserved communities in the Valley has given $50,000 to a group that provides services to LGBT youth who are homeless or have behavioral-health challenges.
“The Phoenix IDA knows we are investing in the future of many youth here in our state through this grant. One•n•ten is doing the important work that we know will get youth off the streets and moving toward a self-sustaining life,” said Phoenix IDA executive director Juan Salgado.
Approximately 1,500 Arizona youth are homeless this holiday season; 400 to 500 of those youths are LGBT, according to Phoenix IDA and one•n•ten. The groups also report a significant growth in suicides among LGBT youth and a decrease in housing solutions for young adults in the Phoenix area.
One•n•ten’s Promise of a New Day (P.O.N.D.) program is a supportive housing initiative designed to help those youth facing homelessness gain the skills necessary to successfully transition to independent living. The IDA Phoenix award will support the P.O.N.D. Housing program and make possible 650 hours of behavioral health services and additional supportive services including job training, life-skills training, transportation and personal-development goal-setting.
“This award, generously funded by Phoenix IDA, will get our youth off the street and into behavioral health services at our youth center and our five satellite program locations, enabling us to directly impact the homeless challenges they face,” said Linda Elliott, the organization’s executive director.
“We look forward to seeing the results of their P.O.N.D. program and of lives changed. This is a great way to kick off the holiday season,” Salgado said.
Phoenix City Councilwoman Laura Pastor spoke at the check-award ceremony held at one•n•ten’s Youth Center in downtown Phoenix. “One•n•ten provides a safe environment for these youth to get the services they need, fulfill their education needs and support them to be successful,” Pastor said. “This group is in the trenches with these young adults doing this important work with passion and heart.”
(Photo: bodnarchuk, Getty Images/iStockphoto)
