TUCSON, Ariz. (13 News) - A Tucson nonprofit is bringing hope to homeless students.

Homeless students are twenty percent less likely to graduate high school, according to AZ school report card data, and often don’t have access to basic necessities, like food and school supplies.

Veida Rodriguez shouldered responsibility for raising three younger siblings while he was in high school.

“It definitely felt like I was trapped,” said Rodriguez. “In a Hispanic household you take care of your family and in the most cases, we have to give up school and just go to work to provide for our family.”

Now, Rodriguez works as a Youth Action Board Ambassador at Youth On Their Own, or YOTO. YOTO is a local nonprofit that provides kids with money and other basic necessities to keep them in school.

YOTO

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