About YAC SD | Youth Assistance Coalition
OUR MISSION: We are here to positively impact the lives of youth experiencing homelessness through empowerment, mentorship, and community collaboration in order to provide transformative opportunities.
What is the Pattern?
According to the 2024 Point In Time Count, The Number is 897 youth experiencing homelessness in San Diego on any given night, and those are only the ones that could be counted.
There are many different reasons these young people are on the streets. Some have left an abusive or neglectful home environment, others are foster kids or have aged out of the foster care system, some are suffering from mental illness, some are living on the streets with their parents, and some have experienced a combination of complicating factors. These kids typically have few prospects for education, employment, or social participation.
As one of the fastest-growing homeless populations, transitional-aged youth require unique housing and support services that are responsive to their developmental needs as young adults as they learn to care for themselves, gain life experience, and transition to adulthood.
These youth experiencing homelessness will become our next generation of homeless adults if we do not step in to Break the Pattern.
How to Help Break the Pattern: OUTREACH
Youth Assistance Coalition volunteers conduct outreach efforts in San Diego 3-5 times per week. The goal of outreach is to build rapport while making positive connections with children, youth, and families experiencing homelessness. Outreach allows YAC to connect with individuals needing services, support, or a simple conversation. The youth that we connect with each have unique stories. It is because of this that we take an individualized approach, because we have found that not one approach or method can be applied to assist our youth. Our belief is to do whatever we can for our youth to achieve their goals.
Thousands of Outreach bags filled with nonperishable food and hygiene items have been provided to those in need. YAC’s outreach team has distributed over 11,665 bags in 2023, and this number will continue to grow as we work diligently to alleviate homelessness.