Mayor Romero to Recognize MDOT Volunteers at Appreciation Luncheon
Published on August 05, 2026
The City of Tucson will host its second annual volunteer appreciation lunch to recognize and thank the many Tucsonans who have donated their time and effort to support the Multi-Disciplinary Outreach Team (MDOT), a program of the Housing and Community Development (HCD) Department’s Housing First division.
The event will take place Saturday, August 8, 2026, from 10 AM to 1 PM at the El Pueblo Recreation Center, located at 101 W Irvington Road.
Tucson Mayor Regina Romero will attend the event to recognize the volunteers’ valuable contributions and dedication to supporting individuals experiencing homelessness.
“I am incredibly grateful to our Multidisciplinary Outreach Team, volunteers, and community partners who continue to show up for our most vulnerable neighbors, especially during the extreme summer heat,” said Mayor Regina Romero. “Through strong collaboration, they are delivering care packages that build trust, connect people to critical services, and create pathways to housing and stability. This volunteer work reflects our community's values and demonstrates what we can accomplish when we work together to ensure every Tucsonan has the support they need.”
Over the past year, MDOT volunteers have contributed hundreds of hours of service, demonstrating compassion and commitment to helping some of Tucson’s most vulnerable residents.
Community volunteers support MDOT outreach efforts by assembling care packages containing non-perishable food, water, hygiene products, and other essential items to support individuals experiencing homelessness. The kits are distributed by MDOT outreach workers during their daily engagement with people living unsheltered throughout the city.
The appreciation event will feature lunch, a brief program recognizing key contributors, and words of gratitude from Housing First staff and City leaders.
MDOT works alongside community partners including El Rio Community Health Center, Old Pueblo Community Services, and other local organizations, to provide coordinated support and resources.
“Volunteers and partner agencies have played a critical role in supporting MDOT in assembling care packages which went directly to individuals experiencing homelessness throughout the city,” said Allison Chappell, Housing First Program Director with HCD. “MDOT volunteers and community partners make the outreach work possible. Their commitment and their compassion provide the foundation in allowing our staff to spend more time engaging with unsheltered individuals."
MDOT's primary goal is to provide support and services to individuals experiencing homelessness, particularly those living in encampments. The team includes professionals with diverse expertise, including family nurse practitioners, medical assistants, and outreach workers. MDOT provides street medicine, connects individuals with healthcare and addiction resources, and provides outreach and support services to help address immediate needs and connect people to pathways towards housing stability.
Ward 5 City Council Member Selina Barajas expressed her appreciation to the volunteers who assembled care packages and provided other support to people experiencing homelessness.
"The supplies inside these kits may seem simple, but they can make a meaningful difference during dangerous heat days by helping people prepare for the heat, stay hydrated, and protected from the sun," said Barajas, who will attend the event and is scheduled to speak along with HCD staff.
MDOT is part of Mayor Romero’s Safe City Initiative and works to improve community safety by quickly connecting individuals experiencing homelessness with housing and support services.