The Chandler City Council approved $15,000 for Tumbleweed Center for Youth Development to help homeless youth in Chandler as part of the Fiscal Year 15/16 budget approved in June. For the first time, Tumbleweed will be part of the robust Chandler effort to address the needs of the homeless.

“We are proud to be part of a system that is a model of partnership and community spirit when it comes to addressing homelessness,” said Tumbleweed Chief Executive Officer Cynthia Schuler. “I want to thank Mayor Tibshraeny, Vice Mayor Hartke and the Council, as well as the volunteer Housing and Human Services Commission and their Families in Crisis Subcommittee,” she added.

Tumbleweed will use the funds to set up apartments and identify homeless youth in Chandler who may be eligible for transitional housing. “Our goal is to help homeless youth transition to fully independent young adulthood,” Schuler said. “Many of them are fleeing abusive situations. They often lack the life skills and group of supportive people most of us take for granted.”

Tumbleweed has been in operation since 1975 and operates 6 residential facilities and two Youth Resource Centers in Phoenix and Tempe as well as a County-accredited alternative high school. Tumbleweed serves homeless youth ages 12 through 25 with assistance ranging from emergency housing to respite services including food, clothing, laundry/shower facilities and counseling. Other services include family reunification and for older youth, transitional housing, education and life skills training.