Tucson program strives to end homelessness for young adults

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TUCSON, Arizona (KOLD News 13) – If homelessness is not addressed at a young age, it can become a lifelong problem.

Young adults, who often don’t make enough money to live alone, often slip through cracks and live on the streets.

The nonprofit “I Am You 360” is working to change this, one person at a time.

“Their homes had become toxic places and they had to leave the country,” said Desiree Cook, founder and CEO of I Am You 360.

Some of the youngsters are left without the skills they need to survive on their own.

“You need help, everyone needs help, and it’s good that I’m slowly realizing that,” says 23-year-old Baneen Albotaify, who came to the United States from Iraq when she was 14. “For the longest time, I’ve made it difficult for myself to do it on my own.”

That was because she didn’t feel she had a choice. When she found this program, it opened her eyes.

She still has 1 1/2 years to complete a college degree in construction management and related skills.

I Am You 360 has 10 small units donated by a local businessman near Grant and Oracle where a group of young adults live while they learn life skills.

It’s not free. They pay $ 350 a month and have to work and have an income.

“We help them with self-development and self-esteem. It’s really important to their decision-making and then it’s really important to add the life skills, “said Cook. “This is how we break through generation cycles.”

On Saturday, the nonprofit hosted the Tucson Police, Tucson Fire Department, DEA and others for a barbecue night that included hamburgers and potato salad.

They talked to the young adults, played card games and bragged about what a great program it was.

“I didn’t know it was here,” said one officer. “It’s great, it’s great.”

The program is very popular, but it is nowhere near enough. It has a waiting list of 125, though it will reveal a new community of nine tiny houses next week.

That is still far too short, but it is progress towards its goal.

“The ultimate goal is to help them buy their home,” said Cook.

It is a two to three year program for those who have been inducted and must complete a 10-page questionnaire.

“In the end, they can save up and have enough to buy their first home to really end homelessness,” Cook said.

If you want to learn more about this group or to help, click HERE.

Copyright 2021 KOLD News 13. All rights reserved.

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