Tucson-based Youth On Their Own (YOTO), a dropout prevention program, recently hosted a series of nutrition workshop at five area high schools as part of an educational program that focuses on life skills.

YOTO said in a news release posted on the Tucson Metro Chamber's website that its student success navigator, Diego Coronado, created the program out of concern for students’ lack of nutrition as well as a lack of awareness of the available “Mini-Mall”, a YOTO store that provides a weekly allowance of food and other personal items to participating youth free of charge.

Coronado, along with representatives from the University of Arizona Community Garden, worked to teach students the importance of including nutritious food in their diets and how to build well-balanced meals using the food that is available to them, the release said. The students also learned how essential good nutrition is to their performance in school.

"We really enjoyed working with the students, and they learned some nutrition tips and facts that are practical for their daily lives,” Gina Meyer, a Community Garden representative, said in the release.

Founded in 1986, Youth On Their Own is an assistance program for students in grades 6-12 who find themselves without stable homes or guardianship. Their services include living and transportation assistance as well as guidance and workforce readiness.