San Diego Youth Services

We’re All About...

Empowering Youth

Strengthening Families

Creating Healthy Alternatives

Recognizing and Valuing Diversity

Establishing Collaborative Partnerships

San Diego Youth Services (SDYS) is a non-profit charitable organization that since founded, has stabilized the lives of over 500,000 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 12,000 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. Individual children are referred to SDYS by a variety of sources, including word of mouth from other youth, schools, police and probation officers, and community organizations. Six nights a week, Outreach Teams search out youth who believe they have nowhere to run for help. Our full spectrum of programs are designed to help young people achieve their own self-sufficiency. Our administrative staff is small and we are proud that 86.0% of all funds go to serve youth directly.