Youth Development Coalition

Our youth development initiative supports the vision that all youth in Pima County are in safe and supportive environments that promote their cognitive, physical, social, and emotional well-being so that they are ready by 21: ready for college, work and life.

In 2003, United Way of Tucson and Southern Arizona (UWTSA) established the Youth Development Coalition (YDC), a regional partnership to improve outcomes for youth in Pima County.  Today YDC has grown to more than 40 members, and its goals focus on improving youth program quality, increasing access to health/nutrition services, improving work readiness, improving youth worker education, and enhancing community awareness of the importance of quality youth development opportunities. 

We work to achieve these goals though targeted community investments and collaborative efforts with the Youth Development Coalition.  With these strategies we are working to ensure that youth are ready by age 21:  ready for school, work and life.

Because the Youth Development Coalition is based on the belief that the solutions to community problems exist within the community, it is committed to working in partnership and to bringing a diversity of perspectives to the table to improve the outcomes for youth in Pima County.  YDC is responsible for planning, implementing strategies, and allocating resources to community partner agencies to create measurable impact and encourage collaborations. The coalition is comprised of a diverse range of community volunteers including: educators; business leaders; youth development and literacy experts; afterschool providers; family support agencies; state and local government representatives; and parents.