1N10 INC

Our mission is to serve LGBTQ youth and young adults. We enhance their lives by providing empowering social and service programs that promote self-expression, self-acceptance, leadership development, and healthy life choices.

Together with our supporters, we aim to eliminate the barriers our youth face to living exceptional lives. Hurdles such as homelessness, suicide, job instability, and many more are confronted by our programs, delivering much-needed support to our youth.

We enhance the lives of LGBTQ+ youth and young adults ages 11 to 24 through empowering social and service programs that promote self‐expression, self‐acceptance, leadership development, and healthy life choices. one-n-ten was founded in 1993 and provided a unique opportunity for LGBTQ+ youth to connect, socialize, and receive support for navigating community resources. Our services have diversified since then, but our goal is the same. Our commitment to this population is evident through daily activities at our youth center and in signature programs for housing, workforce development, wellness, and leadership. Last year, more than 1,000 young people were provided services and support.
one-n-ten has provided support to LGBTQ+ youth and young adults for 30 years. LGBTQ+ youth may feel unsafe in programs developed for the general youth population when there is an expectation of conformity about gender and sexual orientation. one-n-ten welcomes LGBTQ+ youth with safe space guidelines that affirm self-identified gender pronouns and sexual orientations. In addition, one-n-ten practices positive youth development, empowerment, and trauma-informed care, which are industry standards for working with at-risk youth populations. Our services and staff expertise have been featured in scholarly and mass media, including the Child & Youth Services Journal and National Geographic.

LGBTQ+ people may be uncomfortable accessing potentially non-affirming community services developed for the general population but can thrive in identity-specific environments without an expectation of conformity about gender and sexual orientation. one-n-ten enhances the lives of LGBTQ+ and allied youth ages 11 to 24 by providing empowering social and service programs that promote self‐expression, self‐acceptance, leadership development, and healthy life choices. Youth Center offerings occur on a rotating basis each day and include group discussions on age-appropriate trending topics, wellness tools that promote mental, emotional, and physical well-being, anti-bullying training, art, or games. By connecting with Youth Center staff, young people can get help finding LGBTQ+ competent providers of healthcare, crisis lines, safe shelter, legal aid, and more. Young people also have access to basic needs resources, including food, clothing, hygiene products, bus passes, toiletries, and showers at no cost. Youth Center workshops and activities are facilitated by two staff members and one or two volunteers. If staff expertise is lacking in a particular interest area, we invite community partners or guest speakers from the community at large to lead a program.

Education
HIV/AIDS education using an evidence-based intervention: Focuses on prevention, treatment, and how to advocate for those living with HIV/AIDS.
Suicide/harm reduction training using evidence-based intervention: Trains young people to identify personal strengths for preventing suicide, bullying, and violence.
Economic Opportunity - Laying foundations by addressing basic needs
Supportive housing for youth experiencing homelessness: Our scattered-site rapid rehousing program provides six to 24 months of LGBTQ-competent case management support. The scattered-site model allows participants to live closer to their existing support networks.
Drop-in access to resources: Typically open daily, our youth center provides access to community resource navigation, food boxes containing local produce, school supplies, hygiene supplies, and socks. Primary care, dental care, and mental health care linkages are available via community partners.
Mentorship
Partnership with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Arizona: When enrolled by a parent or guardian, LGBTQ+ youth aged 11 to 18 are paired with an affirming, supportive mentor.
Camp OUTdoors: At our LGBTQ-inclusive summer camp, cabin assignments are not made by gender. Instead, similarly-aged campers stay in the same cabin. In outdoor activities and more than 50 workshops, youth build leadership skills and work collaboratively while connecting to the environment.
Youth group volunteers at one·n·ten: Volunteers mentor young people in youth center workshops and satellite group activities. Workshops and activities are varied and promote self-worth, resiliency, and a sense of belonging.
Social Justice and/or Diversity & Inclusion
Ongoing racial equity and inclusion training for staff and the Board of Directors: This began in the summer of 2020. The training includes books, movies, webinars, and biweekly small group discussions. Training selections are made by our colleagues who are Black, Indigenous, and other People of Color, their allies, and our diversity, equity, and inclusion consultants.