Native American Connections Receives $420,000 From The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation To Complete Affordable Housing Complex For Homeless Youth.

Native American Connections (NAC) has been awarded a $420,000 grant from The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation to complete renovations on the Saguaro Ki youth housing complex. On any given night, roughly 350 youth in Maricopa County find themselves without a place to call home. With the opening of Saguaro Ki, NAC will be able to offer even more transitional housing options and support services to those in need.

“Too many youth in our community do not know where they’ll sleep tonight,” said businesswoman Renee Parsons. “Native American Connections is addressing this need by providing not just a bed, but transformational services for young adults in crisis.”

Made up of 24 studio apartments, Saguaro Ki provides affordable housing for youth ages 18 to 24 who are transitioning from homelessness. Youth living at Saguaro Ki will have access to services focused on wellness, education and employment opportunities while addressing any substance abuse and behavioral health issues. The ultimate goal of these programs is to help youth gain the skills and financial stability needed to secure permanent housing.

“The opening of Saguaro Ki would not be possible without financial assistance from generous community partners such as The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation,” said Diana Yazzie Devine, CEO of Native American Connections. “The Parsons have been long-time supporters of organizations working to provide lasting solutions to homelessness, and we are honored to have their backing and encouragement on this project.”

Saguaro Ki is located next to NAC’s first youth facility, HomeBase, a 25-bed emergency shelter program that helps youth move from crisis situations to stable environments. Many youth housed at HomeBase lack the skills or experience needed to live independently or left undesirable family environments, often due to their identification as LGBTQ. With the two facilities next to one another, youth will have a continuity of care and work with the same staff they have come to trust during their stay at HomeBase.

“Regardless of race, religion, sexual orientation or gender identity, youth who find themselves facing homelessness deserve a strong support system,” said businessman Bob Parsons. “In addition to affordable and transitional housing, NAC provides youth with resources necessary to achieve long-term success.”

NAC offers housing programs for individuals and families of all ethnicities with specialized communities for not just youth but also families, seniors, individuals with disabilities and chronically homeless men and women. Levels of support range from emergency shelters and transitional housing to affordable housing and permanent supportive housing. All of the programs offer onsite services to help residents increase stability and improve their physical and mental health. To learn more, visit nativeamericanconnections.org.