1n10 is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to serving and assisting lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning (LGBTQ) youth ranging in age from 14 to 22. We create a safe space, mentally and physically, for youth of all socio-economic and cultural backgrounds. Our weekly discussion groups cover a wide range of social, educational, health, and community issues. Youth with particular needs have the option to speak with peers or volunteers one-on-one, in a supervised setting. We offer resources for healthy living and making healthy choices, as well as social networking opportunities appropriate for developing leadership skills and having fun.
Formed in 1993 by concerned gay and lesbian adults who saw a need to support youth who were dealing with coming out issues, our services had expanded by the mid-90s into two programs: VOIT for teenagers 14-17 and Horizons for young adults ages 18-22. During this period we received a grant from Maricopa Integrated Health Services to provide HIV/AIDS education to valley youth, experience that was pivotal to our 2006 collaboration with Southwest Center for HIV/AIDS (formerly Body Positive) and Native American Community Health Center, Inc. to secure a 5-year CDC-funded grant.
The Fall of 2009 saw the biggest single change in the organization’s structure when a nationwide search led to the hiring of 1n10’s first-ever full-time Executive Director, Nick Ray. Nick joined 1n10 after serving as Director of Development at Wingspan, Southern Arizona’s LGBT Community Center and as a Senior Policy Analyst with the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force where he conducted extensive research into the epidemic of homelessness among LGBT youth.
Today, 1n10 serves between 80 and 100 youth at our weekly programs in Phoenix and a further 30-50 youth in Tempe and we continue to focus on innovative ways that we might enhance and expand our youth programs and services. We are working to increase public awareness of 1n10 and to promote issues of importance to valley youth. We continue to reach out to the community for partners to help us in this effort. Please contact us if you would like to be involved with 1n10 and our work toward safer environments for LGBTQ youth.