Watts College student earns $10K from Venture Devils to fund nonprofit

Homelessness is often reduced to a single cause, but the reality is far more complex.

On one side are systemic barriers that make it difficult to maintain stable housing — a shortage of affordable homes, low wages and limited unemployment support, among them. On the other are deeply personal challenges, including mental health crises, substance use disorders, medical issues, abuse, trauma and grief. Often, these forces overlap, compounding one another until hope feels out of reach.

Allen Hooper, an undergraduate in nonprofit leadership and management in Arizona State University's School of Community Resources and Development, knows how the individual problems can pile up all too well.

In 2020, struggling with substance use, the loss of a loved one and the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, Hooper's struggle with depression worsened. He lacked the tools to cope in a healthy way and ended up living on the streets.

“As a result of the decisions I made during that period, my life became increasingly unstable, and I ultimately found myself unsheltered,” Hooper said. “One day I had an awakening and decided to turn my life around, but I had already dug myself in such a deep hole that I didn’t know if I would ever find a way out.”

But before he lost all belief that things would improve, he met Paula. It was her kindness and investment in his well-being that helped him get back on his feet and inspired him to give back to others. First, she brought food and spent time getting to know Hooper. After a few days, she put him up in a motel for nearly three months.

“Paula bought me new clothes, filled my fridge with food, helped me find a job and provided me with the comprehensive, sustained support I needed in order to transform my life,” Hooper said. 

To pay forward Paula’s compassion, Hooper formed a nonprofit to help others experiencing homelessness.

Last fall, Hooper presented his nonprofit and earned $10,000 at Venture Devils Demo Day, a biannual pitch competition hosted by ASU’s J. Orin Edson Entrepreneurship + Innovation Institute for ASU and Maricopa Community College students to earn investor-style financial support. Hooper named the nonprofit Thank You For Your Kindness (TY4YK) after the words he repeated over and over to Paula.

Watch his pitch online and read on to learn more about Hooper’s journey.

Note: Answers may have been edited for length and clarity.

Question: Describe TY4YK and Project 1x1, your program for helping individuals experiencing homelessness. How is Project 1x1 different from other services available?

Answer: TY4YK is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that envisions a world where kindness and service transform lives and communities. Our mission is to be a catalyst for compassionate change and make a lasting impact.

Based on my own lived experience, I had a realization: People don’t just need services, they need support. Our flagship initiative, Project 1x1, will provide comprehensive, sustained and holistic support to individuals experiencing homelessness as they work to transition from the streets to stability. I am incredibly grateful for existing organizations that serve the masses. ... What makes Project 1x1 different is its highly individualized approach. Rather than offering a single service or short-term intervention, Project 1x1 pairs each participant with a dedicated mentor who walks alongside them through every stage of their journey. Our model recognizes that lasting change requires trust, consistency and personalized support.

Q: What will you do with the $10,000 award from ASU Venture Devils?

A: The $10,000 award from ASU Venture Devils will be used strategically to move Project 1x1 from preparation into early execution. Approximately $7,000 will be set aside as a pool of direct program support for our pre-pilot participants. These funds will be used to address immediate barriers to stability, such as emergency shelter, basic needs and critical transitional expenses. We will allocate $1,500 toward administrative costs, including insurance and accounting, ensuring that the organization operates responsibly from the start. Another $1,500 will be invested in marketing to share impact stories and engage community partners.

This award also provides the traction we need to demonstrate credibility to attract future partners and funders. ... We were honored to learn that Mike and Cindy Watts pledged a $5,000 match to our Demo Day award.

Q: Do you stay in touch with Paula?

A: We do stay in touch. She is still there celebrating each milestone and offering encouragement along the way. In fact, once we received our official tax-exempt status, she made the very first online donation, showing her faith in our mission and setting the tone for those who would follow.

Q: You live in Nashville. Why did you choose ASU and a degree in nonprofit leadership and management?

A: I attend ASU through the Starbucks College Achievement Plan, but it was the logical choice because of its strong academic reputation and long history of supporting students’ success. I chose to pursue nonprofit leadership and management because I wanted to build a solid, professional foundation for leading a nonprofit organization. This program equips me with the governance, financial management, ethical leadership and strategic planning skills necessary to steward a nonprofit organization effectively.

I am so proud to be a Sun Devil. I am amazed by the continuous support, encouragement, and opportunities for personal and professional development I am afforded as an ASU student. I’m also eager to continue learning and growing, and I welcome anyone who wants to connect or share ideas. My email is [email protected].