Tumbleweed’s Young Adult Program (YAP) provides a safe place to live for homeless or runaway youth who have no other financial support or place to live. These young people have no viable family to support them and rarely are wards of the court. Youth receive independent living training, counseling, job development and skill building. Skill building is designed to help the youth learn to live independently and includes employment and parenting skills as well as a focus on increasing education level. Youth can be pregnant or parenting and can stay up to two years.

This is the only facility in Maricopa County providing these comprehensive Independent Living Services for youth under 18 that do not require the youth to be State wards. Minors must have parental permission.

Current Program Goals:

YAP is focusing primarily on the facility. Thanks to a grant from SRP in 2005, they have new carpet, paint, tile and sinks in all the apartments. With this year’s 2006 grant they plan to repave the parking lot (which doubles as a recreation area) and install new showers. YAP would also love to create a community garden and any other project that would make the YAP facility as homey as possible.

Staff Quote:

“As a former client, I can say with all honesty that Tumbleweed’s philosophy of building warm
 and caring relationships with our clients really does foster a sense of trust and self-confidence
 that allows each of our clients to take charge of their lives and more forward. Seeing a
 person live here as a teenager and leave at the age of 18 with their own apartment, a job, an
 education and the skills to handle the challenges that life throws at all of us is truly a special
 thing.” -Monica Serrato, Program Manager, YAP

Client Quote:

“If you are motivated, YAP will help you with saving money and learning how to live on your
 own. The staff is there all the time if you need help.”
- Anonymous Client, YAP

Volunteer Opportunities:

Anyone with a specific skill to teach is welcome to present during group time at 7:00pm seven days a week. Topics (which should translate into independent living skills or educational) could include cooking, shopping, self-defense, financial planning/budgeting, career advice, parenting skills and more.