Street Sleep SD • October 20, 2023 More than 2,000 San Diego youth have nowhere to sleep tonight – but you can help change that.

Street Sleep SD is a one-night event where teams will sleep on the street to raise awareness and funds to help end youth homelessness.

By taking a stand against this injustice through a charitable donation, you can help provide youth with a roof over their head, a warm meal and a sense of security. Your contributions will make a world of difference and will help us provide life-saving programs that help our youth become self-sufficient and thrive.

Last year, we raised more than $110,000. We also generated extensive awareness for youth experiencing homelessness and struggling youth through our social media campaign, and through news coverage on Star 94.1 and Fox 5 News.

Event Information

Ways to Support

You can spend the night with other community members supporting this important cause.

If you are unable to sleep out, that is not a problem. Please participate by fundraising leading up to Street Sleep SD and/or attending the evening portion of the event where we will share information on our life-changing programs we provide here at San Diego Youth Services.

Visit StreetSleepSD.donordrive.com to donate/participate.

Night of the Event

6 p.m. Welcome, SDYS Program Fair and Food
7 p.m. Program - Learning more about youth homelessness, hearing about our services and efforts to address this tragedy, and hearing from youth who have lived experiences.
8 p.m. Talking Circles and Lawn Games - After the event portion of the evening, we connect with other participants, talk about why we are sleeping out.
10 p.m. Lights Out - We provide a cardboard box for you to sleep on.

Event Contact

Event Website

To participate, donate, or learn more, visit our Street Sleep SD website.

streetsleepsd.donordrive.com

Alona's Story

Alona spent her childhood in foster care, and her teenage years living with her mother in hotels. She ended up dropping out of school and began to struggle with addiction. When her mother was arrested, she was alone.

“We do not look like what we’ve been through!" says Alona. "Many children who suffer from youth homelessness are couch surfing, staying at parks hidden and STILL attending school."

Thankfully, she found her way to San Diego Youth Services's emergency shelter for youth. She describes the experience: "the moment I stepped foot in that shelter everything changed. I was instantly introduced to a family dynamic I had never experienced before. The staff there became the family I had longed for and I began to blossom...I’d never imagined the possibilities I could have by just taking one step."

Alona has now come full circle and has finished her GED, obtained her certified nursing assistant certificate and has joined San Diego Youth Services as a staff member.

You can Help Youth Like Alona