Deb Melton
One thing that Democrats agree on is that we are very fortunate to live in the United States of America.
John F. Kennedy said, “For of those to whom much is given, much is required.” Most of us who live in Quail Creek and are fortunate enough to also be retired feel very lucky and blessed. In addition, we see it as our civic duty to give back to our community.
At the November Quail Creek Democratic Club meeting, the club has invited two local charities, Youth on Their Own (YOTO) and Casa Alitas, to speak with us about their mission and needs.
Youth on Their Own was founded in 1986 when Ann Young, a counselor at a Tucson high school, noticed that talented and motivated students were dropping out of school due to homelessness and being forced to live on their own without a parent or guardian. Inspired by the students’ tenacity and willingness to stay in school, other counselors, teachers, and community members got together and formed YOTO with the goal of helping students graduate. The organization grew and continues to serve students in these dire circumstances. At present, YOTO is seeking help stocking their “Mini Mal,l” where students can come and get much-needed necessities and supplies. Democratic Club of Quail Creek will be collecting those supplies at the Nov. 19 meeting. Things like chips, small packages of cookies, nuts, candy bars, socks, shampoo, soap, deodorant, toothpaste and toothbrushes, pens, and notebooks are all needed. Cash contributions are also accepted.
Casa Alitas began in June 2014 as hundreds of people from Central America, fleeing gang violence and poverty, were being dropped off at the Greyhound Bus station in Tucson by U.S. Border Patrol with nowhere to go. As of December, 2019, Casa Alitas has served more than 35,000 asylum-seekers. Today they serve 300 to 400 people per day!
Most asylum-seekers are families: parents, children, and pregnant women. They have traveled, mostly on foot, for days, weeks, sometimes months to the U.S. Border and then have spent two to 14 days in a detention center before being released. ICE and Border Patrol bring families to Casa Alitas, which provides housing, food, clothing, toiletries, advocacy, and travel assistance.
Casa Alitas operates primarily with volunteers and relies on donations from individuals and community groups. Most people arrive with nothing more than the clothes they are wearing. The greatest need is for new underwear and socks in all sizes, kids (both boys and girls), men’s, and women’s. Also needed are women’s sanitary items, leggings, and men’s t-shirts. All these items will be collected at the Democratic Club meeting on Nov. 19.
If you cannot attend the meeting at the Kino Center on Nov. 19 at 3 p.m. to hear the presentations from these two charities but would like to donate, items can be dropped off at Deb Logan’s home at 2724 E. Ponce Court. Checks are also greatly appreciated. Please make them out directly to either YOTO or Casa Alitas. Both organizations are nonprofit 501(c)(3).