one·n·ten

A Place to Belong, A Future to Believe In

Belonging has a sound. For some, it’s laughter echoing through a bright room filled with art and music. For others, it’s the quiet relief of hearing their name spoken with respect for the very first time. Inside the Phoenix Youth Center at one·n·ten, that sound is everywhere, a reminder that acceptance, when offered freely, can change a life.

For nearly thirty years, one·n·ten has opened doors for LGBTQ+ youth across Arizona, creating spaces where young people can explore who they are, connect with those who understand them, and begin building a future that once felt out of reach. The organization’s work is rooted in a simple but powerful idea: every young person deserves to be seen, supported, and celebrated exactly as they are.

At the heart of this mission is an intentional effort to center the voices of LGBTQ+ Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) youth and staff. The Youth Advisory Council, made up of emerging leaders from across the state, helps shape the direction of programs and outreach. “Representation matters,” the team shares. “We hire staff and volunteers who reflect the communities we serve because culture and queerness belong in the same conversation. Our goal is to make sure every young person sees themselves reflected in this space.”

Programs such as 2gether N Color and TGNC bring that promise to life. In these groups, identity and culture meet in powerful ways. That spirit of unity carries through every aspect of the organization’s work. The Phoenix Youth Center serves as the central hub, welcoming youth from across the Valley five days a week. It’s more than a drop-in site; it’s a home. Here, every young person is met with kindness and care. “When youth walk through our doors,” staff explain, “they find people who genuinely care about their well-being. They find community.”

Where Safety Becomes Stability

For youth facing homelessness or housing insecurity, one·n·ten’s Promise of a New Day (POND) program offers something most of us take for granted, safety. POND provides housing and wraparound support for LGBTQ+ young adults, ages 18 to 24, using a progressive engagement model that gives each person “just enough” assistance to build independence. The results are life-changing.

“one·n·ten has saved my life,” one participant shared. “I was homeless when I came back to Arizona, but because of the POND program, I now have my own apartment. I changed my name legally, joined the Youth Advisory Council, and even traveled to Washington, D.C. through the ACLU. I’ve found purpose, leadership, and community; things I never thought possible.”

The lesson, staff say, is clear: housing alone isn’t enough. True stability comes from holistic support, education, mental health care, and belonging. When young people feel seen and supported, they don’t just find shelter; they find direction.

Across Arizona, one·n·ten’s reach continues to grow through satellite programs in communities like Flagstaff, Mesa, and Prescott. These sites ensure that youth in rural and underserved areas have access to the same resources, mentorship, and connections as those in the city. “The impact is undeniable,” staff reflect. “When youth find one another, confidence follows. Connection turns isolation into hope.”

Leadership development is also central to the organization’s mission. Through the Youth Advisory Council and Camp OUTdoors, youth learn that their voices carry weight. One participant recalled standing before 2,000 people at Fresh Brunch, saying, “I never imagined I’d have the confidence to speak in front of so many people. Now I feel like I’m making a difference in my community.”

A Legacy of Courage

Each year, Camp OUTdoors becomes a living example of what happens when courage meets community. During a recent camp session, a young woman stood in the closing circle and shared her story, one that began in Yuma, where she grew up feeling completely alone. At twelve, she discovered one·n·ten online. That single click, she said, changed her life.

Years later, surrounded by friends who love and affirm her, she reflected on her journey with tears in her eyes. “I didn’t think I’d live to see 24,” she said. “But one·n·ten gave me family, purpose, and the courage to become who I am.” It is stories like hers that remind staff why this work matters so deeply — because affirmation can save a life.

Today, one·n·ten’s vision is as bold as ever: an Arizona where every LGBTQ+ youth, especially those who are BIPOC, trans, nonbinary, or living in rural communities, can thrive openly and without fear. The organization continues to expand its advocacy, partnerships, and outreach, ensuring that visibility leads to protection, and protection leads to opportunity.

For any young person who still feels unseen, one·n·ten offers this message of hope: “You are not invisible; you are invaluable. You deserve joy, safety, and space to be exactly who you are. Until the world catches up, we’ll be here, holding hope until you can hold it for yourself again.”

Because belonging isn’t just something one·n·ten provides; it’s something they help every young person rediscover within themselves.

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Photo Credit: one.n.ten

Event: Camp OUTdoors

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