Building Futures for over 50 Years San Diego Youth Services has improved the lives of more than 780,000 homeless, runaway and other vulnerable youth.

We provide intensive services to more than 13,000 youth every year.

San Diego Youth Services offers a continuum of care for children and youth from infancy to age 25. We aim to:

 

Meet the basic needs of youth

Hunger, poverty and youth homelessness are on the rise for many youth and their families today. We help meet these basic needs for youth. What could be more vital than food and shelter? We provide safe places to live and long-term solutions through shelter, foster homes, community centers and housing.

Create positive connections

We help youth focus on positive life changes and healthy relationships as part of providing needed resources and services. San Diego Youth Services has long provided foster homes and adoption support services for families considering adopting a youth in the foster care system.

Help youth develop life skills

In addition to a range of safe and stable housing options, we offer support to help youth develop the independent living skills necessary to become self-sufficient and keep off the streets.

Promote overall health and well-being

Early intervention and care for the whole child are critical. We provide a broad continuum of services to help youth overcome trauma and challenges that put them at risk, including case management, counseling, mental health treatment and educational support and resources.

Our Services
Erika

Success Stories

Hear from the youth we have supported

Learn More
Our Mission: To empower youth to reach their highest potential.

We provide safe places to live and long-term solutions through shelter, foster homes, community centers and housing. Through prevention, early intervention and treatment, we also help youth before they need higher levels of care or become homeless.

Building Futures for over 50 Years San Diego Youth Services was founded in 1970

50 years ago we opened as the first emergency shelter for runaway and homeless youth in San Diego and one of only three in the nation.

Since then we have made huge progress in our mission to empower San Diego's youth.

Landmarks in Our History

Latest SDYS News

SDYS Open House & Job Fair on July 25

July 19, 2022 | Comments Off on SDYS Open House & Job Fair on July 25
Posted in
August 12 @ 6:23 pm

Don’t Miss our Open House and Job Fair on July 25   When: Monday, July 25 5 – 7 p.m. Where: SDYS Administration Building 3255 Wing Street San Diego, CA 92018 *Parking lots on each side of the building and…

Read More

SDYS Study Finds that Youth At-risk for Self-harm and Suicide are Open to Receiving Treatment, but Barriers Prevent Access to Services 

June 14, 2022 | Comments Off on SDYS Study Finds that Youth At-risk for Self-harm and Suicide are Open to Receiving Treatment, but Barriers Prevent Access to Services 
Posted in
August 12 @ 6:23 pm

SDYS Study Finds that Youth At-risk for Self-harm and Suicide are Overwhelmingly Open to Receiving Treatment, but Barriers Often Prevent Access to Mental Health Services The study assessed 400 students in San Diego County schools San Diego Youth Services’ Associate…

Read More

Achievement Center Helps Youth get Back on Track

June 14, 2022 | Comments Off on Achievement Center Helps Youth get Back on Track
Posted in
August 12 @ 6:23 pm

Achievement Center Helps Youth get Back on Track Interview with Elizabeth Castellanos, program manager, Achievement Center Tell me about the Achievement Center, what you do and who you help? The Achievement Center is an afterschool program designed to support youth…

Read More