San Diego Youth Services

We’re All About… Empowering Youth Strengthening Families Creating Healthy Alternatives Recognizing and Valuing Diversity Establishing Collaborative Partnerships

OUR MISSION

is to help at-risk youth and their families become self-sufficient and reach their highest potential.

OUR VISION

is a community of youth and families who are successful at reaching their highest potential.

OUR PHILOSOPHY At San Diego Youth Services, we encourage and embrace a "Trauma Informed Care" philosophy. Trauma Informed Care is a collaborative philosophy that acknowledges the impact of one's life experiences and guides our interactions to promote connection, inspiration, strength and healing. We believe that every youth and their family should be connected to resources that will best meet their needs. If resources are not available within San Diego Youth Services (SDYS), we will connect you with a community partner who will assist you.

San Diego Youth Services (SDYS) is a non-profit organization that since founded, has helped to improve the lives of hundreds of thousands of homeless, runaway, abused and at-risk youth in the San Diego area. Launched in 1970 when volunteers established one of the first runaway youth shelters in America, SDYS now provides intensive services to more than 13,000 children and their families each year. This nationally recognized agency offers emergency services, safe places to live and long-term solutions for kids “on their own” by providing shelters, group homes, foster homes, community centers and transitional housing. Professional help for high risk youth is provided at all 14 major locations in San Diego County.

SDYS brings to Southern California the most effective ways to help kids in danger. Youth are referred to SDYS by a variety of sources, including word of mouth from other youth, schools, community organizations and police and probation officers. Six nights a week, Outreach Teams search out youth who believe they have nowhere to run for help. Our full spectrum of programs is designed to help young people achieve their own self-sufficiency. SDYS’ initial operating budget was approximately $25,000. Today, SDYS administers an operating budget of over $15 million. Our administrative staff is small and we are proud that 86.5% of all funds go to serve youth directly.