City of Tucson Housing First and Community Volunteers Assemble Kits

Published on October 20, 2023

The City of Tucson’s Housing First team partnered with community volunteers to assemble support kits for the unsheltered population in our community.

"The Multidisciplinary Outreach Team (MDOT) is dedicated to promoting permanent housing and financial stability, as well as the health and well-being of individuals experiencing unsheltered homelessness. I am confident that this event will mark a significant step in our journey,” said Thelma Magallanes, MDOT project coordinator.

On Friday, October 20, City staff personnel, and volunteers from Eller College, Goodwill Metro Youth Program, a non-profit Tucson organization, and 4Tucson, a faith-based, non-profit Tucson organization, assembled 300 kits at the Housing First Team Office located at 195 W Irvington Rd. The kits contain essential items such as non-perishable food, water, hygiene products, and other necessities to support individuals experiencing homelessness.

Elle Millyard, MDOT Encampment Coordinator, said the distribution of these kits will be carried out by outreach workers during their daily outreach efforts, ensuring that they reach those in need. Distribution will begin shortly after the assembly process.

Friday’s event will began with introductions, followed by testimonials from staff and from individuals with firsthand accounts of the positive changes that have flowed from Housing First efforts.

If you or your organization are interested in volunteering or making a donation to the City of Tucson's Housing First Program, please contact Thelma Magallanes at thelma.magallanes@tucsonaz.gov.