Student Supports & Partner Resources
We believe supporting in our students with the resources they need to succeed. Below, you’ll find the resources we offer, our partner resources, and where you can access this help. We’re here for you and we want to help you win!
How can we help?
We want to help you access the resources you need, both from us and our community partners. Use the buttons below to jump to the section most helpful to you:
Basics Needs
Helpful Resources
Health Needs
Housing Resources
Housing in Phoenix
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Native American Connection’s Youth Housing Program helps youth, ages 18 to 24, transition from homelessness to greater independence and housing stability. This program offers youth with a safe, campus like environment with easy access to caring and supportive staff. Contact your mentor to learn more▸
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UMOM provides transitional housing programs to youth ages 18 to 22, but they must be referred to this program by their case manager. Call: 602-275-7852
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UMOM connects families with minor dependent children who are experiencing homelessness to homeless services. Staff assesses unique needs of each family and connects them to appropriate resources to stop the cycle of homelessness. Call: 602-595-8700
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HYC serves homeless youth, 13–21 years of age, who attend high school in Maricopa County and Coconino County, AZ. Each youth is identified by their school as homeless under the McKinney-Vento Act. Youth are without a stable home and homeless through no fault or choice of their own. Learn more▸
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New residents must be employed or actively seeking employment, and must not be a current user of alcohol or drugs. Coming from unemployment, prison, recovery, or an endless cycle of homelessness, our residents experience a clean and safe home where transforming their lives can begin. Full-time work is paired with a personalized Vision for Victory program designed to achieve the ultimate goal of becoming self-sufficient. Learn more▸
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I-HELP is a temporary shelter for individuals who have lost safe and stable housing. Men and Women are welcome. Learn more▸
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The Halle Women’s Center is the first Arizona shelter designed specifically for single women. Two or three women share a room with a private bathroom and nutritious meals are served three times a day. Contact your mentor to learn more▸
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On the UMOM New Day Centers campus, each family lives in a private room. Case managers guide families as they create an individual housing plan – their unique strategy to confront and overcome the challenges that led to experiencing homelessness. A licensed wellness clinic helps kids and young adults stay healthy and in school. Contact your mentor to learn more▸
Housing in the East Valley
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UMOM connects families with minor dependent children who are experiencing homelessness to homeless services. Staff assesses unique needs of each family and connects them to appropriate resources to stop the cycle of homelessness. Call: 602-595-8700
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House of Refuge is a housing program for people with a dependent child in need of stable living. One adult must be at least 18 years old. People will receive clothing, food, and shelter while in their care. Learn more▸
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A New Leaf is dedicated to helping families, children, and adults in our community facing challenges of all kinds. Whether it be the loss of a job, a medical crisis, domestic violence, homelessness, or another heartbreaking crisis, A New Leaf is here to help households recover and thrive. Learn more▸
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I-HELP is a temporary shelter for individuals who have lost safe and stable housing. Women are welcome. Learn more▸
Housing in Tucson
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I-HELP is a temporary shelter for individuals who have lost safe and stable housing. Men and Women are welcome. Learn more▸
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Casa Paloma provides residential services in a women-only setting, offering short-term residential shelter services for women in crisis and medium-term transitional housing services for women who are working toward their goals for self-sufficiency. Call: 520-882-0820
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Shelter guests must be sober and not using any illegal substances. Guests are accepted based on bed availability and without discrimination. This organization works to holistically address mental, physical, and spiritual issues so that guests can move from homeless to wholeness. Available services include recovery, employment, and housing programs; medical, dental, and mental health care; government benefits, veterans assistance, and children’s services. Call: 520-740-1501
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They offer separate housing programs for homeless youth from 12-17 and 18-24 years old. This house is a crisis shelter for abused, homeless, and runaway teens and young adults; it’s the only shelter of its kind in all of Southern Arizona. In fact, last year Reunion House offered a safe and supportive home for nearly 250 homeless teens. They provide necessities and home-cooked meals, enroll teens in school, and reunify them with their families whenever possible. They provide a safe, welcoming home until a permanent placement is arranged, with stays averaging 21 days. Learn more▸
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Sister José Women’s Center is dedicated to the care of women experiencing homelessness in a welcoming and safe environment. They offer overnight stay as well as daily drop in options. They help women get back on their feet into their own affordable housing as well. Call: 520-909-3905
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Programs are targeted to emergency housing needs, as well as options for both short term, 7-day emergency shelter, and long term, 4-month transitional assistance. These life transitional services include medical assistance, employment services, life skills training, and case management assistance. Learn more▸
Housing in Casa Grande
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General housing contact for Pinal County. They can help place people in affordable housing, section 8 vouchers, and rent/utility assistance. Call: 520-866-7221
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General housing contact for Pinal County. This number helps with housing placement. Call: 520-466-1112
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A new housing program for 200 people that provides shelter, case management and wraparound services. We will have spaces available for men and women. Call: 602-361-8163
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This is a food distribution site and aids with local housing help. Students can come here and get medical assistance, housing assistance, employment services, and rental/utility assistance. Learn more▸
Housing for Foster Youth
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Participants must be dual enrolled in FAHP and Keys to Success. This program includes life skills, employment and education assistance, and program-related housing. Contact your mentor to learn more▸
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Thrive AZ Housing is a one-year drug and alcohol-free, faith based, semi-supervised transitional housing program geared toward young adults between ages 18-24 who have aged out or spent time in the Foster Care system. Contact your mentor to learn more▸
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This resource provides rent assistance for former foster youth between the ages of 18 and 24. To be considered for this resource you need to have left care at age 16+ and apply within 90 days of leaving. Email them to learn more▸
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This resource provides rent assistance for former foster youth over 18. This resource provides housing and financial assistance for foster youth that are aging out of the system. They create an environment with regular team-building and leadership development sessions, one-on-one mentorship opportunities, and accountability check-in’s. Contact your mentor to learn more▸
Housing Locators
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This locator can be used to find all shelters in any zip code in Arizona. Learn more▸
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This locator can be used to find low income housing, section 8 housing, and affordable housing options in any zip code in Arizona. Learn more▸
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This can be used to locate all shelters, housing assistance, and low income housing in all of Arizona. Call 211 or Learn more on their website▸
Shelters
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This is an emergency shelter that serves all Maricopa County.
Address: 230 S. 12th Ave., Phoenix, AZ
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Food Resources
Eagle Pathways (East Valley)
Eagle Pathways offers food boxes and occasional clothing. This is a resource that is for youth and single mothers who have been in foster care or have experienced homelessness. There are many programs that they offer that are designed to provide assistance, motivation, direction, and support to help them become self-sufficient. Email them to learn more▸
Victory Lutheran Church Food Pantry (East Valley)
This pantry is open to community members on Monday and Wednesday mornings. They have many food options available and hygiene products. Learn more▸
ASA Now (East Valley)
ASA Now, located in Mesa, provides food boxes and cooking courses to anyone who has been impacted by foster care. Call: 623-428-1592
City Hope Arizona (East and West Valley Location)
City of Hope provides families in need with food, hygiene products, and clothing. They have a main location in Chandler and Phoenix. Learn more▸
HUB Locations
We also offer food resources at all of our HUB locations. Learn more on our locations page▸
First Evangelical Lutheran Church Food Pantry (East Valley)
This pantry is open to community members on Tuesday and Thursday mornings. They have many food options available and hygiene products. Learn more▸
Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church (West Valley)
This pantry is open to community members on Wednesdays and Fridays. They have many food options available and hygiene products. Learn more▸
St. Mary’s Food Bank (West Valley)
St. Mary’s Food Bank provides food boxes to those in emergent need of food located in the state of Arizona. Learn more▸
Find Help Phoenix
This resource provides information about the nearest food bank to you, based on your zip code. Learn more▸
Harvest Compassion (Locations throughout the Valley)
Harvest Compassion has many locations throughout the Valley. They provide food, hygiene products, baby items, clothing items, shoes, socks, and food to those who could use them. Learn more▸
Arizona Friends of Foster Children Foundation
This resource provides a grocery store gift card to a young person once every 12 months. You must be a post-secondary student, reached age 18 in foster care, and are under the age of 21. Learn more▸
Neighborhood Ministries Food Bank (West Valley)
Neighborhood ministries has a food bank open on Fridays from 8:00-11:00am. They provide a drive-thru food box pick up with many different options of meals. Email them to learn more▸
Dream Center
Phoenix Dream Center is a resource guide that provides information about food assistance in the Phoenix area. Learn more▸
Clothing Resources
Harvest Compassion Center
HCC offers one-stop shopping centers for both food and clothing. They have multiple locations, each with a fun mini-mart and clothing boutique, and a play corner just for kids. When contacting HCC, mention OCJ Kids for additional support. Learn more▸
HUB Locations
We also offer clothing resources at our Phoenix and Mesa HUB locations. Learn more on our locations page▸
ASA Now
ASA Now, located in Mesa, provides clothing resources to anyone who has been impacted by foster care. Call: 623-428-1592
Eagle Pathways (East Valley)
Eagle Pathways offers food boxes and occasional clothing. This is a resource that is for youth and single mothers who have been in foster care or have experienced homelessness. There are many programs that they offer that are designed to provide assistance, motivation, direction, and support to help them become self-sufficient. Email them to learn more▸
Employment Services & Career Exploration Resources
Keys to Success
Keys to Success provides career development to youth that have aged out of Foster Care between the ages of 18-21. They help the individual prepare for and secure employment and identify short and long term career goals. Contact your mentor to learn more▸
Opportunities for Youth
This is an organization that will help youth find work through different occupational options such as apprenticeships, work training programs, vocational training, and direct hire opportunities across the Greater Phoenix Area. Learn more▸
Neighborhood Ministries - Workforce Programs
This is a program that helps students find paid internships in the field you are interested in. They provide training in work readiness skills, assistance with resume building, and help with financial literacy. They provide gas cards, bus cards, utility help, and tuition for college and trade schools after graduation. Contact your mentor to learn more▸
St. Joseph the Worker
They help teens and young adults become employable and get employed by providing resume building, interview help, transportation help, and uniform help. Career success coaches available. Walk-ins accepted from 9:00am - 5:00pm Monday through Friday. Call: 844-759-5627
Jewish Family and Children's Services
The Transition to Adulthood Program is for young adults between the ages of 16 and 21 who need help preparing for the future. In addition to working with former and current foster care teens, we also assist adolescents with behavioral health conditions. Learn more▸
Chicanos Por La Causa
This is a program that helps students find paid internships in the fields you are interested in. They provide training in work readiness skills, assistance with resume building, and help with financial literacy. They provide gas cards, bus cards, utility help, and tuition for college and trade schools after graduation. Contact your mentor to learn more▸
Foster Your Future
This program helps provide support for young adults experiencing homelessness and/or aging out of foster care who want to continue with their education or train in a vocational career or work. Learn more▸
UMOM Employment Center
This Center provides employment for youth and adults by helping clients with resume building, job readiness workshops, interview tips, and help with the job search process. They provide financial assistance with job certifications, uniforms, and transportation help. Contact your mentor to learn more▸
Transportation Resources
Ride with 24
Ride with 24 is a call service not an app. They offer lower rates than Uber and Lyft. Must go to the website to sign up first. Learn more▸
Phoenix HUB Transportation (Within a 10 Mile Radius)
The Phoenix HUB offers transportation on Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday. We offer this with the expectation that the student will complete 5% of the current course while at the HUB. The student must live within a 10 mile radius from the Phoenix HUB (click here to check). Students can not bring their children with them for liability purposes. Text us to learn more▸
Technology Resources
Affordable Connectivity Program (for Grad Solutions & Smart Schools)
This is ideal for a Grad Solutions or Smart Schools students if you need a device or internet service. Contact your mentor to learn more▸
Refurbished Chromebook for Purchase (Smart Schools Only)
If you need a device and have access to WiFi, you can potentially purchase an inexpensive Chromebook. Contact your mentor to learn more▸
Chromebook Application (Grad Solutions Only)
If you need a device and have access to WiFi, you can apply for an inexpensive Chromebook. Contact your mentor to learn more▸
College Depot Loaner Laptop Program (for Grad Solutions & Smart Schools)
This is helpful for any students living in the Phoenix/Glendale area. If approved, you can rent a laptop and/or hotspot for 6 months through College Depot. Contact your mentor to learn more▸
Free WiFi and Computer Use at all HUB Locations
If you need easy access to WiFi or a computer, you come to any HUB location to use a laptop and get some coursework done. Learn more on our locations page▸
Parenting Assistance Resources
Maggie’s Place
They provide a variety of safe housing options for women who are pregnant or mothers with their young children. They offers many classes and support groups including: substance abuse counseling, peer support, mentoring, Triple P parenting classes, DCS reunification support groups, infant and car seat safety classes, breastfeeding support groups, nutritional support classes, financial literacy and GED programs, and job training. Call: 602-262-5555
Early Head Start Program
They offer free full day childcare for families that qualify (for ages birth to age 5). To qualify the family must reside in a zip code deemed low income. The care is an active learning experience that will prepare your child for entering school. They offer medical, dental, social, and mental health resources for children and their families. Contact your mentor to learn more▸
Choices
They provide medical treatment for young moms needing counseling, health evaluations, ultrasounds, parenting courses, etc. and will help support dad’s too. Grief counseling is available for the loss of a baby. Choices will empower young women to make the best choice for care for them and their baby. Multiple locations are available all over the Valley. Learn more▸
Southwest Human Development Fussy Baby Program
This is a parenting assistance helpline providing support for parents concerned about their baby’s temperament and behavior. They teach strategies for the parent to reduce their own stress and provide care needed to soothe and comfort a fussy baby. Contact your mentor to learn more▸
Find Help Phoenix
This is a free and low cost service directory for parents with children aged 0-5. Services include: family support centers, formula and baby food, mental health services, car seat and other safety services, parenting support, and others. This directory also lists services for dental, disability, education, healthcare, housing, job, food, and clothing services. Learn more▸
Jose's Closet (located at the Mesa HUB)
Jose’s Closet is a charitable organization serving families with foster, kinship, and adoptive children. They occasionally can help Grad Solutions and Smart Schools students and families as well. Contact your mentor to learn more▸
Tax Preparation Resources
IRS Free File
This is available for individuals under the age of 30 who earn less than $69,000 annually. It offers free tax preparation, free electronic filing, and free direct deposit for refunds. You are able to access service on a smartphone, tablet, or computer. In order to use this service, the individual must have: a social security number, a W-2 or Form 1099, not be claimed as a dependent by anyone else, your prior-year adjusted gross income to use as part of the electronic signature (first-time filers over the age of 16 just enter “0” in the box), and a bank account and routing number for direct deposit of the refund. Learn more▸
Turbo Tax or Free Tax USA
Turbo Tax and Free Tax USA are free file programs that offer free online tax preparation and electric filing services. Learn more▸
Find Help Phoenix
This is a free and low cost service directory for organizations offering assistance with filing taxes for individuals in the Phoenix area. Learn more▸
Legal Services Resources
Always AZ
A group of attorneys, advocates, and volunteers working to eliminate legal barriers to success and stability for vulnerable youth and trafficking survivors in Arizona. They offer no-cost legal services to support the safety, stability, and self-sufficiency of young people and trafficking survivors impacted by homelessness, human trafficking, abuse, and the foster care system. Services include full representation, consultations, and referrals, training, and system reform advocacy. Call: 602-248-7055
Gen Justice
This is a service to represent abused children in their court cases free of charge. They also offer legal training on the dependency process and the rights of families involved in foster care. Call: 844-436-5878
Find Help Phoenix
This is a free and low cost service directory for immigration legal assistance, discrimination law, family law, tax preparation, legal support for abuse and domestic violence, and general services. Learn more▸
Healthcare Resources
Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS)
This is Arizona's Medicaid agency that offers health care programs to serve Arizona residents. Learn more and apply▸
Find Help Phoenix
This is a free and low cost service directory for healthcare. Services include: Support Groups for Children and Adults, Women’s Health, Free/low-cost Medical-Youth and Adults, Sexual Health and Women’s Health, Health Promotion Education, Health Insurance Enrollment Assistance, and more. This directory also lists services for dental, disability, education, housing, job, food, and clothing services. Learn more▸
Aliento AZ
They provide a medical guide for undocumented young people. These resources will help you find dental and healthcare resources in the Phoenix area. Learn more▸
Family Involvement Center
This website provides support for youth filling out the paperwork, going through the approval process for your AHCCCS healthcare benefits. Learn more▸
Behavioral Health Resources
Grad Solutions Counseling Partners (Free Counseling for GS and SS Students)
CoreConnect
Graduation Solutions LLC offers free counseling to our students through our partner CoreConnect. Students need to be set up through the Community Resource Team. Contact your mentor to learn more▸
Innerlight
Graduation Solutions LLC offers free counseling to our students through our partner Innerlight. Students need to be set up through the Community Resource Team. Contact your mentor to learn more▸
General Inquiries
Mercy Center (Foster Youth)
All AHCCCS-eligible children in DCS care are eligible to receive behavioral health services through Mercy Care DCS CHP. Young adults are only eligible as long as they are in DCS care, this includes extended foster care. Contact them by email▸
Find Help Phoenix
This is a free and low cost service directory for the Phoenix area. Mental health services listed on this site include: mental health for children 0-17, mental health for adults, mental health hotlines, substance use disorder services, premarital counseling, anger management, warm lines, and divorce counseling. Learn more▸
Emergency Counseling
988 - Suicide and Crisis Hotline
The Lifeline provides 24/7, free and confidential support for people in distress, prevention and crisis resources for you or your loved ones, and best practices for professionals in the United States. Immediate counseling and crisis response offered.
Substance Abuse Resources
Adult and Teen Challenge USA (Phoenix, Casa Grande, Tucson)
A Christ-centered model of drug and alcohol recovery focusing the body, mind, and spirit of those who come to their addiction recovery centers. Adult and Teen Challenge USA are confident that a restored relationship with God can transform those who experience addiction. Learn more▸
Community Bridges
They provide intervention, triage and support until crises subside. Community Bridges have gender specific programming for adults and families. They will also help with housing and job placements. Learn more▸
Adolescent Substance Abuse Program (Mesa, Scottsdale, Phoenix, Glendale)
ASAP is a 10-week Intensive Outpatient Program designed specifically for the treatment of substance use disorders in youth ages 12 to 18. Learn more▸
Domestic Violence/Dating Abuse Resources
Eve’s Place
Eve’s Place provides free intervention services for teens and young adults (15-22) who have been victims of abuse including but not limited to family abuse, sexual abuse, and teen dating. Learn more▸
Arizona Coalition To End Sexual and Domestic Violence
Available in Spanish and English, information about domestic and sexual violence, human trafficking.
Domestic Violence Housing Programs and Shelters
We have access to several crisis shelters and programs. Contact your mentor to learn more▸
National Domestic Violence Hotline
Human Trafficking Resources
Always AZ
A group of attorneys, advocates, and volunteers working to eliminate legal barriers to success and stability for vulnerable youth and trafficking survivors in Arizona. They offer no-cost legal services to support the safety, stability, and self-sufficiency of young people and trafficking survivors impacted by homelessness, human trafficking, abuse, and the foster care system. Services include full representation, consultations, and referrals, training, and system reform advocacy. Call: 602-248-7055
National Human Trafficking Hotline
The National Human Trafficking Hotline works closely with service providers, law enforcement, and other professionals in Arizona to serve victims and survivors of trafficking, respond to human trafficking cases, and share information and resources. Call: 888-373-7888
Streetlight USA
Streetlight USA provides crisis intervention, stabilization, and 24/7 residential care, through a variety of programs and services tailored to meet the needs of young girls at risk for and victims of child sex trafficking. Also partners with the Dream Center’s Adult Program. Call: 623-435-0900
Dream Center
Dream Center is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to stop human trafficking, end childhood hunger, and educate tomorrow's leaders. This is done through residential life recovery programs and community engagement outreach services. Call: 602-346-8786
Have questions?
We’re always here to answer them!