San Diego Youth Services

Yesterday, we took a break from our usual work and came together for our annual Staff Appreciation Event. This year's theme was The Renaissance of Appreciation!

We got a chance to spend time with colleagues, enjoy some fun, and recognize the people who show up every day for youth and families across San Diego.

Thank you to our incredible team for all you do for San Diego's youth and families. We are so grateful for you! ❤

Act Now: Help Protect Shelter Capacity in San Diego

At San Diego Youth Services, we work every day to prevent and end homelessness across our community. Safe, stable shelter is the first critical step toward helping individuals move from crisis to long-term housing and stability.

Young people who experience homelessness in childhood or as teenagers often go on to experience homelessness as adults. But we can break that cycle.

Today in San Diego, 9 out of 10 requests for shelter go unmet. Despite this overwhelming need, and despite our community partner the Lucky Duck Foundation offering support to help maintain capacity, the City of San Diego is considering reducing shelter beds at the Bridge Shelter. The Bridge Shelter is owned by the Lucky Duck Foundation.

Reducing shelter capacity at a time when so many people are already unable to access shelter would move our community in the wrong direction. Every available shelter bed matters, especially for vulnerable youth, young adults, families, and individuals experiencing homelessness.

We're asking you to take just 30 seconds to make your voice heard.

By using the link below, you can send a pre-drafted letter to the Mayor and City Council urging them not to reduce shelter capacity. As outlined in the letter, the Lucky Duck Foundation is prepared to use its own philanthropic resources to help ensure these beds remain available.

Thank you for standing with our community and supporting solutions that help people move from homelessness to housing.

Take action here: action.luckyduckfoundation.org

We're so honored to have received this award! Thank you Assemblymember Tasha Boerner ❤

San Diego Youth Services has served vulnerable youth and families in San Diego County for more than 50 years through housing, mental health, education, and prevention programs. Each year, the organization helps thousands of young people build stability ⚖️, strengthen resilience 💪, and create brighter futures🎓.

🌟For that reason, I am so proud to recognize their work and honor San Diego Youth Services as ’s 2026 Nonprofit of the Year! 🌟

Need a safe place to stay? You're not alone and we're here to help.

If you're between the ages of 12 and 25 and don’t have a stable place to live, including if you’ve been in foster care or probation, we offer support, housing and a path toward independence.

Our services include:
🏠 Safe temporary housing
🛏️ Night shelter & day drop-in center
📞 24/7 crisis hotline
🧭 One-on-one case management
🏡 Help finding permanent housing
💡 Life skills & housing education
💰 Help setting up a savings account
🧠 Therapy & mental health support
🤝 Referrals to other helpful services

You don’t have to figure it out alone. We’ll meet you where you are and support your goals, whether that’s getting back on your feet, finding stability, or building a better future.

Learn more or reach out for help: sdyouthservices.org/services/homeless-housing-and-support/

Hear Chief Human Resources Officer Kristen Diggs speak about her transition to San Diego Youth Services four years ago, and the impact that both SDYS and LEAD San Diego have had on her and her leadership journey in the San Diego community: https://open.spotify.com/episode/0YpjROYG3WoMLPQeSx5MFo?si=RkZD1ZaPQ9-HxJ6GNGGzwA

Ep. 3 | Kristen Diggs | Mentorship, Connections, and the Courage to Go For It LEADing San Diego · Episode

When undertaking the journey of supporting our mental health, it may be hard to know where to start.

Swipe for mental health resources that might help youth on the path to better mental wellness this

The photos from our Building Futures for Youth Benefit Auction are now available!

We loved celebrating with you at our Benefit Auction! Thanks to your incredible generosity, together we raised a record-breaking $890,000 to support youth and families experiencing homelessness, abuse, and hunger.

To see all the photos, click the link below and use code 1066 to download your favorites:
https://lnkd.in/eAFn2Xt3

We’re incredibly honored to share that San Diego Youth Services has been named a 2026 Nonprofit of the Year by Assemblymember Tasha Boerner.

For more than 50 years, SDYS has empowered youth to thrive by meeting basic needs, providing safe places to live, and helping young people build the skills and support they need for a brighter future. This recognition reflects the dedication of our staff, volunteers, community partners, and supporters who work every day to uplift vulnerable youth and families across San Diego County.

We’re proud to stand alongside nonprofits throughout California creating meaningful change in our communities. Thank you to everyone who believes in our mission and supports the young people we serve, this honor belongs to all of you. 🧡

💙 Together, we made history for San Diego youth. Because of the incredible generosity of our community, we raised a record-breaking $890,000 at our Building Futures for Youth Benefit Auction!

We are especially grateful to Lucky Duck Foundation for their extraordinary $300,000 gift, and to a private donor whose transformational $400,000 matching gift amplified the impact of the evening.

These funds will help provide young people experiencing homelessness and crisis with safe shelter, meals, support and hope for the future. We are deeply grateful to everyone who attended, donated, volunteered, sponsored, and stood with youth in our community. Your support is changing lives.

Thank you so much!

We were thrilled to be included in the Foster Care Awareness Day event with Next Up at Cuyamaca college, and to share how San Diego Youth Services supports parents every step of the way so they can provide loving homes to foster youth.