AHO has the Platinum Seal of Transparency in the Guidestar Directory of Non-Profits
AHO has the Platinum Seal of Transparency in the Guidestar Directory of Non-Profits.
CA Coalition for YOUTH 24-hour CRISIS HOT LINE (800) 843-5200
CA Coalition for YOUTH
24-hour CRISIS HOT LINE
(800) 843-5200
Ambassadors of Hope and Opportunity (AHO) is Marin’s only nonprofit serving homeless teens and young adults ages 16 to 25 who represent 1/3 of Marin’s homeless population.
*** Please note our email address has changed. Please direct all communications to zara@ahoproject.org. ***
2026 Youth Housing Fund Campaign
Did you know?
We are proud to announce that AHO has earned the Platinum Seal of Transparency from GuideStar, the highest recognition for our commitment to accountability and measurable impact. This achievement reflects our dedication to using your support effectively and creating meaningful change. See Our Profile Here
About AHO
Ambassadors of Hope and Opportunity (AHO) is a 501 (c) (3) organization designed for youth, by youth, for the future of youth who are homeless or at-risk of homelessness. Since its inception in January 2005, AHO has been leading the way in addressing the growing trend of youth homelessness in Marin County, Greater Bay Area and Sacramento, CA.
AHO Vision
Eliminating youth homelessness in suburban and rural communities nationwide using AHO as a model.
AHO Mission
To provide young adults ages 18 to 25 who are homeless or at-risk of homelessness a trained life coach, the essential resources and leadership opportunities to become financially self-sufficient contributing adults
GRO AHO Initiative
Redefining how AHO supports youth-serving nonprofits across California.
Can you build a multi-award-winning, evidence-based nonprofit entirely independent of government funding?
For 22 years, Ambassadors of Hope and Opportunity (AHO), a multi-award-winning, evidence-based 501(c)(3) youth-serving nonprofit organization, has done exactly that. AHO hasn’t just established an organization; they have cultivated a highly efficient, community-backed ecosystem that puts transition-age youth at the center of leadership.
But AHO is looking ahead to the next chapter. In mid-2027, AHO will officially launch the GRO AHO Initiative, a movement to help other organizations scale their impact across California without relying on government funding.
Public funding is notoriously unpredictable and unstable. AHO’s upcoming 2027 Initiative introduces a community-backed, non-governmental ecosystem designed to help youth-serving nonprofits reduce their reliance on government funding.
By implementing the proven AHO model, organizations will be able to:
- Build Resilience: Stay stable amid shifting political and economic climates.
- Cut Overhead: Reduce administrative costs by 30%.
- Maximize Impact: Free up vital capital to fund the front lines of youth care.
GRO AHO will share proven strategies through in-person meetings, an upcoming webinar, and a podcast for ongoing support—all produced by our incredible AHO Youth Leadership Team—to demonstrate how to mobilize private community resources, business networks, and pro bono corporate expertise.
Together, let’s prepare to shift the focus from chasing unpredictable grants to delivering personalized, comprehensive, and uninterrupted care for the vulnerable, unhoused youth who need it most.
Want to follow our journey or get your organization involved ahead of 2027?
Email AHO founder and executive director Zara at zara@ahoproject.org for details.
Announcements
Our AHO Leadership Team collaborated with the Zakat Foundation of America for this homeless outreach in Marin.
Building Youth Leaders
AHO Youth Describe Emotional & Physical Challenges of Being Homeless
AHO “Rock for Homeless Youth”
Fundraiser PSA
AHO Youth Connect PSA
Featured News
Giving Back: Vulnerable Youth Provide Holiday Help for Unhoused People
Pacific Sun, November 25, 2025
by Nikki Silverstein
A youth group has decided to forego their annual holiday party to provide pasta meals, socks, warm clothes and more to scores of homeless people in Marin on Thanksgiving eve. Even more remarkable—the young people face their own challenges.
Ranging in age from 16 to 25, the Leadership Youth Team is part of Ambassadors of Hope and Opportunity (AHO), a local nonprofit serving at-risk and homeless teens and young adults. Together with AHO alumni and volunteers, they will prepare 200 pasta meals and care packages and then distribute the goods to homeless camps across Marin.
From homelessness to hope, a Marin youth story
Marin IJ, June 5, 2023
by Julian Kane Stein
After losing my mother when I was 12 years old, I moved out of my father’s house before age 18 and spent years couch surfing—bouncing around from friends to friends, and one girlfriend’s house to another. I slept in my car many cold nights when I was left with no other options. I struggled to keep up with bare necessities such as laundry and basic hygiene. However, I was far from your stereotypical homeless young man.
My luck started to change once I was introduced to Zara and the Marin nonprofit Ambassadors of Hope and Opportunity (AHO) ahoproject.org.
Life Savers: Two Marin Non-Profits Help At-Risk Youth Succeed
Pacific Sun, Dec 20, 2022
by Nikki Silverstein
Zara Babitzke and Jeannine Curley came from different backgrounds, but both faced serious challenges while growing up. It’s not surprising that the two remarkable women chose careers where they could help others—specifically at-risk youth.
Photo: A group from Ambassadors of Hope and Opportunity Project holds an auction item donated by Sammy Hagar. Left to right: Brett, Zoe, Benny, Jay, Larkin, Jimmy and Nick. Photo courtesy of Ambassadors of Hope and Opportunity.
The Cottage
Our Drop-In Center for homeless youth and location for youth task force meetings, meetings with host family members and many other AHO activities.
Youth Team Projects
Uniting young people that were previously homeless, with the goal of designing youth-led projects to foster awareness and bring funding to AHO.
Awards
Since its inception in 2005, AHO Founder, Board President and youth have been honored with numerous awards and distinctions.