The Frances McClelland Spirit Organizational Award is given to a local organization that embodies the spirit, resilience, and legacy of Frances Helen McClelland. We are currently looking for a 501(c)3 nonprofit community organization that:

  • Embodies Frances McClelland’s Spirit, Resilience, and Legacy.
  • Supports and promotes community or family resiliency.
  • Serves the community by offering support that addresses our community’s needs, such as basic needs, psychological needs, and emotional well-being.
  • Serves our most vulnerable community members. 
  • Serves our community across the life span, meaning from birth to old age.

 

Youth On Their Own’s mission is to support the high school graduation and continued success of youth experiencing homelessness. They strive to eliminate barriers to education and empower Southern Arizona’s housing insecure youth to stay in school by providing financial assistance, basic human needs, guidance, and more. Through this unique combination of financial, material, and motivational support, YOTO helps youth experiencing homelessness stay in school and achieve their dreams of high school graduation. Since their founding in 1986, they have served tens of thousands of local children and youth. This year alone, they expect to enroll approximately 1,500 young people in our program. Moreover, with a high school graduation rate of 84% for YOTO-enrolled youth, they know their program works!