Room renovation part of GTL community impact project

Youth on Their Own, a nonprofit dropout prevention agency supporting homeless youth in their goals of staying in school, didn’t have a gathering space for students to meet and work on projects. Neither did it have a functional space to hold Board meetings or to engage donors in providing critical services for vulnerable youth.

That all changes Friday.

A new multipurpose room will be unveiled to the community on Friday during a celebration honoring the culminating project of Greater Tucson Leadership, a nonprofit program designed to develop future community leaders.

It also celebrates the generosity of local philanthropist Bonnie Kay, who donated $5,000 toward the project, as well as corporate engagement from Tucson Medical Center, Tucson Electric Power, Cenpatico, Vantage West Credit Union, BeachFleischman CPAs, architect Kim Wolfarth, Porter Construction Services, Aztec Flooring, Universal Wallboard, Gilbert Electric, Mesquite Valley Growers, Goodwill Industries and the nearly 100 individuals who contributed resources and labor to the project.

The celebration of the 880-square-foot room, which is adjacent to the program’s resale store, runs from 4:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. at 1660 N. Alvernon Way, with a short dedication ceremony starting at 5:15 p.m.

“At its root, leadership is about identifying a need and galvanizing the community to make a difference through collective energy, focus and commitment,” said Kasey Hill, executive director of Greater Tucson Leadership. “The community response to this project really highlights Tucson’s strengths – we come together when there is a need.

Nicola Hartmann, CEO of Youth on Their Own, said she was grateful for the group’s investment in supporting the dreams of displaced youth. “We could not be more pleased to share the results of this effort with the community and celebrate what we all can do when we work in unison.”

For more information, visit www.greatertucsonleadership.org.

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