YMCA Youth & Family Services

Connection is Protection. Our youth are more vulnerable and need more support than ever, and we’ve see the impact of even one trusted adult relationship on youth mental health and overall well-being time and time again ✨

But we need support and resources to match the care gap that currently exists to ensure our youth are not left behind without real human support and connections.

With more than 20 years of service working with teens and youth navigating mental health needs, Director of Service Innovation, Kristina “TK” Halmai-Gillian, tackles the issue of what we need to support our youth in her piece in the 🙌🏼

“It is part of being humans to have relationships. It is what makes us human, to have relationships” - Larry Banks, Permanent Connection Program Director

Stronger connections means STRONGER FUTURES. In the last year we supported 866 children, youth and caregivers through our family-centered services. 🧑‍🧑‍🧒‍🧒

We see everyday how relationships and connections make all the difference for young people. We work to support youth in making those important connections and helping them build on skills to help them thrive into adulthood.

But supporting foster youth doesn’t stop there. We also work to support the families and caregivers who take on the important role of caring for children and youth!

We support both sides of this journey-helping young people who have experienced foster care build stability and prepare for adulthood, while also strengthening families so children can remain connected to the people who know and love them.

To learn more about our programs, services, and how you can help support them, visit: ymcasd.org/fosteryouth

Introducing our Mental Health Warmline! 🧠✨The warmline is a non-crisis phone service for individuals and caregivers seeking mental and behavioral health support in San Diego County.

Our team provides a safe, empathetic space to talk through your experiences, identify your needs, and connect you with helpful resources-both within the YMCA and in the broader community.

Whether you’re feeling overwhelmed or need help navigating mental or behavioral services, we’re here to support your mental well-being and help you thrive.

For more information visit: www.ymcasd.org/warmline

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Introduciendo nuestra Línea de Atención de Salud Mental! 🧠✨ La línea de atención es un servicio telefónico de atención no urgente para personas y cuidadores que buscan apoyo en salud mental y conductual en el condado de San Diego.

Nuestro equipo ofrece un espacio seguro y empático para hablar sobre tus experiencias, identificar tus necesidades y conectarte con recursos útiles, tanto dentro de la YMCA como en la comunidad en general.

Si te sientes abrumado o si necesitas ayuda para orientarte en servicios mentales o conductuales, estamos aquí para apoyar tu bienestar mental y ayudarte a prosperar.

Para más información visita: www.ymcasd.org/warmline

Talk about getting ✨HIRED AND INSPIRED✨?!?

BIG shoutout to our 3 E’s, Fast Track Futures, and ILS teams that joined forces to bring our North County San Diego community an incredible HIRED & INSPIRED Career and Resource Fair 🎉🎉

There was great turnout, great vibes, and LOTS of networking and exploring new career and growth opportunities for all attendees!

Special shoutout and THANK YOU to all our community partners for showing up and participating in our event 🫶🏼🙌🏼

Last week we had our first all-staff meeting of 2026 and our first staff panel too! We put together this panel to hear the different experiences and backgrounds of our direct service staff who are doing the work and changing the work every single day! 💚

Our panelists were from all different programs with different positions each sharing why they chose this work and why serving their communities is important to them, while also touching on their favorite AND most challenging parts of their role.

Shoutout to our panelists for sharing their journeys with us! 💚 listen in on some of the gems shared!

THE YMCA ✨SOUL BOWL✨the bowl that gives back! has been making its mark in San Diego!

We’re one month into our partnership with where we custom made this delicious bowl for all to enjoy! And we just want to say THHHAAAANNNKKK YOUUUU to everyone who has tagged us and gotten the ✨SOUL BOWL✨

From now-through November, 15% of every bowl purchased, at participating locations, will be donated back to our programs! 🙌🏼

Thank you for partnering with us and sharing in the commitment to helping our communities thrive!

P.S. keep tagging when you get your hands on the YMCA SOUL BOWL 😋 ✨🎉