In addition to Youth on Their Own, our Primary Beneficiary for the 2026-2028 car shows, this year we have four finalists who will be competing for the two Secondary Beneficiary spots in the upcoming 2027 & 2028 car shows. Please come to the meeting on September 16, 2026 to hear their presentations and cast your votes for your two favorites:
Literacy Connects was formed through the merger of five Tucson-area literacy organizations, including Reading Seed, a program with longstanding ties to the Rotary Club of Tucson. While Literacy Connects provides literacy programming for children and adults, a highlighted program is Reading Seed, which pairs trained volunteer reading coaches with elementary students to build reading skills, confidence and a love of reading. Staff emphasized the importance of early intervention and the transition by third grade from “learning to read” to “reading to learn.”
Founded in 1990, Parent Aid works to prevent child abuse and neglect by strengthening families before challenges become crises. Its mission is to build “confident, connected families through parent education and a nurturing community.” Parent Aid’s approach is strengths-based and preventive, emphasizing connection, practical parenting skills, reducing stress and isolation, and meeting families without judgment. Its services are organized within five “Pillars of Family Strengthening.”
Sister José Women’s Center provides a low-barrier day center and overnight shelter for women experiencing homelessness, offering meals, showers, laundry, clothing, respite, shelter, case navigation and connections to health, behavioral health, housing and employment resources. The Center serves approximately 1,900 unduplicated day guests annually, with about 400 women using the overnight program. Staff described a strategic shift from primarily measuring outputs, such as meals, visits and bed nights, toward helping guests achieve greater stability and measuring longer-term outcomes.
Founded in 2021, Tucson Family Food Project addresses childhood food insecurity by providing students with weekly meal kits they prepare at home for their families. Each kit feeds at least four people and includes ingredients for a different recipe, along with a YouTube cooking tutorial and simplified written instructions in English and Spanish. The program combines access to food with cooking skills, nutrition education, family connection, and opportunities for youth to build confidence and independence.
Please feel free to watch a short video for each Charity at:
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