If you would like an opportunity to raise a glass to the changemakers of tomorrow while making a difference in lives of the local youth of today, just attend the Inaugural Toast to Tucson at 5 p.m. on Friday, May 17, at Proper Shops Downtown, 300 E. Congress St.
Presented by Young Leaders United (YLU), a group of professionals affiliated with United Way of Tucson and Southern Arizona, the fundraiser benefits young people ages 16-24, known as Opportunity Youth.
“We want to elevate our young leaders, who are really leaders of the future. Hence, we have two awards: The Howard Stewart Emerging Philanthropists Award for those who show a keenness to give back to the community; and the Rising Star Award, which celebrates a current or former Tucson Opportunity Youth who has used difficult experiences to turn around their situation and inspire others,” said Melissa D’Auria, Chief Advancement Officer of United Way Tucson.
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The Rising Star Award & Scholarship also provides $2,500 for the recipient to use toward educational attainment, serving as additional inspiration for other Opportunity Youth. Identified as young people who are not engaged in work or school for economic and/or personal reasons, Opportunity Youth often lack permanent shelter and other basic needs.
The group is one area of focus in the United Way’s 2 Gen approach to combatting generational poverty and supporting economic vitality.
The youth represent endless potential, and providing opportunities and resources to assist them in pursuing their next steps benefits the entire community, according to Chris Gast, Co-Chair of Young Leaders United with Laura Jones.
“With support systems and access to resources, these micro-investments offer macro-returns for the youth and the community. Opportunity Youth may decide to stay in Tucson for their career and ultimately the rest of their lives — we want them to succeed at every stage. Directing resources now allows us to support and encourage them for the long run,” said Gast, who is Senior Director of Students Resources at the University of Arizona James E. Rogers College of Law. He is also an alumnus of the college.
Supporting Opportunity Youth is a no-brainer for Jones, a Senior Market Research Consultant for Caterpillar who relocated to Tucson in 2018 and considers herself privileged that basic needs were never a concern for her as a youth.
“I feel it is within my power to financially contribute and support organizations trying to help these young people find their paths forward. Creating collective and sustainable change can’t always happen at an individual level, and ensuring system of support are properly funded is one way we can ensure a healthy community and future prosperity within Tucson,” Jones said.
For his part, Gast joined YLU to engage with the community while building personal and professional connections. He said that the group is comprised of like-minded leaders, and it has been a perfect fit.
“United Way, as a whole and through Young Leaders United, is it in for the long run. I am a part of the team because I share that vision. It is not just about immediate impact, which is certainly noticeable, but more focused on the benefits to people, communities, and organizations across a lifetime,” Gast said.
Jones also appreciates the fact that YLU has allowed her to meet other young philanthropists while ensuring that her donations support a targeted program.
“I thought YLU would be a great way to support the community causes I was passionate about while also growing my network outside of my workplace ... and supporting and volunteering through this organization allows me to maximize my time and philanthropic resources to provide the best and greatest impact to where it is needed at any given time,” said Jones, who has been supporting the United Way since she began her career in 2007.
She is a huge proponent of the convenience of workplace campaigns, through which employees can elect deduction of contributions directly from paychecks.
Ultimately, she just suggests that everyone find people, programs, or nonprofits that they are passionate about and make a connection. Her philosophy is that even planning one “thing” a quarter — whether that involves signing up for a community service event or donating to an active fundraiser — can make a huge difference.
“Every person will need to find a balance of what they can do at any given point in their life. Sometimes you have more to give of your time than of your treasure, and sometimes it’s the opposite,” Jones said.
