Skip to main content

© 2026

Donate

Play Live Radio

Next Up:

0:00

0:00

0:00 0:00

Available On Air Stations

There is hope for the homeless at Sister Josè Women's Center.

AZPM

Published September 3, 2024 at 2:10 PM MST

Sister Jose homeless woman 3 — The unhoused often have to travel throughout the city looking to find safe places to settle for the night.

Sister Jose homeless woman 2 — For unhoused women, weather can present dangerous predicaments. This woman spent the entire night in the rain, unable to sleep.

There is hope for the homeless at Sister Josè Women's Center.

Featured on the April 11th, 2024 edition of ARIZONA SPOTLIGHT with host Mark McLemore:

Learn about the positive impact Tucsonan Desiree Cook is having on homelessness, and the innovative “whole healing approach” that is offered by her non-profit, called “I Am You 360”.

I Am You 360 Desiree and Daniel — I Am You 360 Founder and CEO Desiree Cook and Daniel

I Am You 360 Second Development with sign — I Am You 360 is building a second group of tiny homes to house clients right next to their office.

I Am You 360 - sharing a meal at the office — I Am You 360 clients share a meal with Founder and CEO Desiree Cook at the organization's office before a training session on budgeting and personal finance

Women who are living homeless face many perilous challenges to their health and safety. Visit a safe space in Tucson called the Sister Josè Women’s Center, to find out how teamwork and vigilance is helping to change lives for the better.

These and other stories about housing issues can be found in AZPM's "Where to Live" series.

It's Saturday in studio — Gretchen Wirges, Betsy Kruse Craig, Alejandro Canelos, and David Alexander Johnston in the studio recording "It's Saturday."

Sister Jose homeless woman 4 — This crisis of elderly women facing homelessness is a new phenomenon, and the number of women in need is increasing. Their struggles are exacerbated by lack of affordable housing and shelter's having limited bed space. The woman featured in this photo is over 60.

Sister Jose homeless woman 5 — This person is one of many facing homelessness in and around Tucson. On this particularly cold and rainy day, she like many others didn't have access to proper clothing or shelter.

Sister Jose homeless woman 1 — This is Christine, who is seeking shelter at Sister José Women's Center on first day as a homeless woman.

And, the premiere of a new “10-Minute Drama” written by Alejandro Canelos. “It’s Saturday” is a play about a chance encounter between two people who may have known each other once before, but they are in very different places now.

ten minute dramas — Twenty-four plays, for reading or performing. In ten minutes or less. With Ten-Minute Dramas, Alejandro Canelos gets right to the point.

It's Saturday bench, Thermos — A chance encounter between two people, who may have known each other before, begins the Ten-Minute radio drama "It's Saturday."

It's Saturday in studio — Gretchen Wirges, Betsy Kruse Craig, Alejandro Canelos, and David Alexander Johnston in the studio recording "It's Saturday."

Web page by Alecia Vasquez.

Arizona Spotlight

Arizona Spotlight airs every Thursday at 8:30 am and 6:00 pm and every Friday at 8:00 pm on NPR 89.1 FM / 1550 AM. You can subscribe to our podcast on Apple Music, Spotify, Amazon Music, or the NPR App. See more from Arizona Spotlight.