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Other Ways to Help
Our Mission is empowering youth to thrive by meeting their basic needs and providing lifelong skills for self-sufficiency and achieving their life ambitions. At San Diego Youth Services, we provide safe places to live and long-term solutions through shelter, foster homes, community centers and housing.
You can support homeless, runaway and other at-risk youth by giving time or resources. Your help is appreciated!
Ways to Give
Success Stories
Hear from the youth supported by donors like you
Erika's Success Story
Erika Anibogwu was just 15 when she found herself pregnant and alone. Being on her own as a teenage parent wasn’t a choice. She says: “My mother put me out. It wasn’t a choice I wanted.”
At 17, she moved into one of our transitional housing apartments in Point Loma with her 18-month-old son. She started working, finished high school and ultimately moved into her own private apartment with our help.
Today, Erika owns a successful child-care business and is earning an associate degree. Now 27 and married, she reached out to share her story and inspire other youth: "As a teenager, you think all the rules are so foolish, but I’ve carried all the things I learned at SDYS with me. Keeping your house clean, budgeting, just how to be a successful adult. You learn yourself that it’s important and you can do it. You’ve just got to have patience and stay focused.”
Donated Items
We are grateful for your support and commitment to the children and young adults we serve. However, we are no longer able to accept new or used donated items, unless we receive specific requests from our programs and youth. If so, needed items will be listed in this section.
We ask that you instead donate through our website or give a gift card so that our youth can directly purchase the items they need, including clothing, food and household items.
To donate gift cards, please contact Sophia at sfranco@sdyouthservices.org or at (619) 221-8600 x1235.