Talk of the Town

On Saturday, April 16, 2011, Youth On Their own celebrated the 25th annual Talk of The Town event at the University Marriott in Tucson, AZ. Located on the beautiful campus of the University of Arizona, the Marriott was the perfect setting for a wonderful evening that commemorated YOTO’s 25 years of service to homeless and abandoned teens struggling to graduate from high school.

A sold out crowd of 475 guests attended the festivities which included a diversified silent auction, and “choose your raffle basket”. Cocktails, a great dinner, wonderful live music/Vegas style from Joe Bourne and his band the “Cream of the Crop” were a few of the evening’s highlights. The presenting sponsor was Commerce Bank of Arizona. Additional sponsors included: Picor Corp., Wendtland & Associates, PC., M & I Bank, Town House Realty, Nova Home Loans, Rosemont Copper Mining, Kay Dental Associates, Carlson Ear, Nose & Throat, EMS Realty, Barbara LaWall, Lura Lovell, Lance & Phyllis Bement, John and Kathy LeMay, Ron & Mary Stewart, Sav-On Flowers, Bolchalk/Frey Marketing, Excel Printing, Advision Outdoor Advertising, Ackerly Advertising, Don Mackey Automotive, O’Rielly Chevrolet, Pima Community College and Konica Minolta Business Solutions

The event committee chair was Jessica Galow ( a former YOTO student). Event chairs were Bob and Danita McMahon and Ray and Alta Depa. Attending guests also included current and former YOTO alumni students that are now successful and productive members of our community.

The focal point of the evening included the presentation of 25-2 year tuition and books scholarships to Pima Community College to 25 graduating YOTO seniors. The scholarships were donated by several generous donors and collaboration with Pima Community College. Generous supporters made the evening a wonderful success which also included a challenge grant of $25K of matching funds made possible by an anonymous donor.

Youth On Their Own extends its sincere appreciation to the many volunteers and donors that made this event so successful for our organization. The new school year begins in a few months and we are in planning for support to our continuing students as well as new. Your help has made it possible to continue our mission