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Please scan the QR code or visit ciymca.org/donate. Choose Youth & Family Services YMCA. All donations are tax deductible. Our tax ID number is: 95-1643379.
NOAH’S ANCHORAGE
A crisis shelter for youth ages 12 - 17 who are homeless, at risk of homelessness, have run away, or are in an unsafe situation.
MY HOME
A program that provides housing opportunities to young adults 18 - 24 years old who are currently or at imminent risk for experiencing homelessness.
LYONS HOUSE COMING EARLY 2025
Provides young adults ages 18 - 21 exiting foster care with housing, a supportive environment, and the tools for success.
1,020 crisis and support calls answered
1,290 drop-in services provided
HALEY ST. NAVIGATION CENTER
A center for young adults ages 17 - 24 to receive basic needs, resources to education, employment, housing, and everything else needed for them to thrive.
267 youth received ongoing case management
HOME SWEET ‘MY HOME’
Angela and Lucas originally started receiving services from YFS in 2020 and over the past four years, have utilized many of our drop-in services including meals, laundry, showers, supplies, and case management. Angela and Lucas were both experiencing homelessness and living on the streets when they met. Angela had been homeless throughout her childhood due to her mother’s drug addiction while Lucas had been living on the streets since he was 18 years old after his mother asked him to leave her home following his 18th birthday. Over the years, the two stuck together through extremely challenging situations, eventually living in their car together for over a year with their dog, Duke.
Reflecting on the last few years, Angela shared, “We went through the most stressful situations while we were unhoused. We spent our days trying to find places to charge our devices, find a way to eat, and find cardboard to sleep on. Eventually, we both found jobs and bought a car to sleep in. However, eventually, our car was impounded twice due to us not being able to pay for registration fees. Eventually, we stayed in a tent with our dog ‘Duke’ by the train tracks in Montecito. When we needed to wash our clothes, shower, and eat we were able to go to the Haley St. Navigation Center where we were connected to their housing program, My Home. The staff always made us feel safe and at home. At first, I doubted that we would ever find a home.”
Angela, Lucas, and Duke moved into their new home with the help of our Case Managers. When Angela, Lucas, and Duke settled into their new home, Angela said, “I didn’t think something like this would happen to us. Now we can focus on our futures.” One week after Angela and Lucas moved into their new home they were able to celebrate Angela’s 24th birthday in a home of their own.