YMCA Youth & Family Services

Over the past 5 years, our Connections 2020 program has supported under-resourced young adults' transition to self-sufficiency through skill development, subsidized internships, and relationship building. Every day, the program has strived to live out its name and connect young people to what they need most: healthy, supportive relationships. Today, on the blog, Connections 2020 Program Director Nick reflects on the impact of the program throughout the last 5 years and the... incredible youth we served. https://www.ymcasd.org//reflections-connections-2020-progr #YouthDevelopment #CreativeYouthDevelopment See more

This past week we experienced a ray of light in the midst of so much heaviness! Encontro North Park donated incredible meals for our young people and families. Our staff (pictured here) delivered meals to over 200 individuals in need of a nutritious and dignified meal. We're reminded once again of the amazing generosity of our community and are so grateful for the organizations like Encontro who are making it their mission to support San Diegan's in need. #NorthPark #SanDiego

The disturbing images of an angry mob of armed white militants storming the halls of our democracy were blasted across screens yesterday. Today, we must talk about these events with our children and young people. We are sharing tips from the The National Association of School Psychologists for talking to your students and children about racial violence and other national tragedies. We must engage in these conversations, we must call out white supremacy, we must help our young people understand that though overwhelmed, we are not helpless. https://www.nea.org//new/talking-kids-about-attack-capitol

This year our Connections 2020 program partnered with nine young artists from San Diego communities to explorer art as a meaningful career pathway. Join us Thursday as these amazing young artists showcase their work and explore the vision and meaning behind each piece! Many of the designs we'll be unveiling on Thursday are centered around equity, youth voice, and relational connection. Comment below if you are interested in joining us at the Virtual Showcase! #ConnectionsCreative #CreativeYouthDevelopement

Our teams work quickly to meet the physical and practical needs of young people. We know that once individuals have their basic needs met, they can begin to focus on their emotional and mental needs. The mental health of young people who have experienced homelessness cannot be overlooked, that's why it's a key component of the services we offer in our housing programs. #EndYouthHomelessness #SanDiego

Growing up I watched my parents go to the polling place together on Election Day. It definitely instilled the importance of voting in me. Through the years this is something that I have tried to give my kids as well. It’s so important to me that my daughter knows her voice matters! - Ahni, TAY Service Department Head. Just 5 more days to get out and #VOTE #SanDiego #Vote2020

2021 Views! We spent 2020 remodeling the apartment complex we purchased in Escondido to house youth experiencing homelessness. In 2021 we will see young people move in and call this place home! We are still working on final touches but wanted you to see the new paint job. We hope these colorful doors bring some joy to the start of your new year. Partner with us in completing the complex - www.ymcasd.org/buildhope #EndYouthHomelessness #SanDiego

Earn 1.5 CEUs exploring the compassion fatigue continuum! Join us for an online webinar to increase knowledge of compassion satisfaction, fatigue, secondary trauma and burnout. The workshop is led by YFS Clinical Director, Tara Hodgens. Tara is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist who has worked in the mental health field with diverse populations for the past 18 years. She earned her B.A. in Ethnic Studies from the University of California San Diego and her M.S. in... Marriage, Family and Child Counseling from San Diego State University. RSVP Today! https://www.eventbrite.com/e/compassion-fatigue-and-satisfa See more

We're excited to introduce you to our ACE's Aware Partners! The ACEs Aware initiative is a first-of-its-kind effort led by the Office of the California Surgeon General and the Department of Health Care Services to cut Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and toxic stress in half. We’ve teamed up with local organizations to shed light on this very important topic that affects our community. #AcesAware https://www.ymcasd.org//ymca-san-diego-county-awarded-9963

"One of my only 2020 plans that didn't change" - Courtney | Director of Advocacy and Strategic Partnership Life may be upside down but we can still get out and vote! One week left - drop off your ballot at any of our Youth and Family Services locations now through Election Day. 2929 Meade Ave San Diego 92116... 215 Barnes St Oceanside 92052 1050 North Broadway Escondido 92026 #Vote2020 #Vote See more

Calling all Social Workers + Therapists! You’re invited to join us and earn 1.5 CEUs while considering the role of compassion fatigue in the lives of clinicians and others in the helping professions. This 1.5 hour pre-recorded webinar will focus on increasing clinicians’ knowledge of compassion satisfaction, fatigue, secondary trauma and burnout. Explore how the COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the need to care for ourselves and for our clients in the helping fields. Discu...ss how intersectionality and racial oppression impact BIPOC caregivers. Attendees will learn resiliency skills in order to cope with stress and empower themselves and those they work with. Register today - bit.ly/yfs-ceu-novdec2020 See more

"When you’re growing up in the foster care system, every new school or new group home results in a disruption of your entire life. The relationships a youth worked so hard to develop are often stripped away overnight and the family they knew before entering the foster care system may not be aware of their new location or how to contact them. There are hundreds of reasons why families ultimately get pulled apart and disconnected from youth in foster care, and with each reason ...I encountered I began to understand how vital life-long connections are for youth in care." _______ Today, on the blog, staff member Cori shares about the issues facing youth in foster care. Cori is the director of our Permanent Connections program, the program works alongside youth in foster care to establish life long support networks that are vital for every young person. Read more on the blog today! #FosterCare #SanDiego https://www.ymcasd.org//learn-about-our-permanent-connecti See more

There are so many reasons our young people end up on the streets. It's never one simple answer or single event that has led to them being without shelter, it's often a nuanced, complicated and painful story. That's why we provide supports in ALL areas. We support young people with getting their basic needs met, while providing counseling, coaching, family mediation, career and education support. ... Learn more about the various programs we offer and how you can support on our website. #EndYouthHomelessness #GiveMeSafety https://www.ymcasd.org//ymca-youth-an/transitional-housing See more

The COVID-19 pandemic has affected young people’s lives in different ways. The Interagency Working Group on Youth Programs has engaged young people to deepen our understanding of challenges they face, and ways supportive adults can help. Watch this three-part video and audio series on specific steps you can take to help our youth cope. https://youth.gov//youth-adult-pa/youth-isolation-support

Another #hispanicheritagemonth employee spotlight with our amazing Social Work Case Manager Andrea. Andrea works in our Youth Resiliency Center, offering coaching and support to young people and their families. #mesdelaherenciahispana

Get your vote on and drop off your ballot at one of our 3 YFS locations! Everyday through November 3rd 8:30am-5:00pm. 2929 Meade Ave San Diego 92116 215 Barnes St Oceanside 92054 1050 North Broadway Escondido 92026 ... #Vote2020 More info: https://www.ymcasd.org//drop-your-election-ballot-ymca-bra See more

I hope in the future we become so welcoming and loving that there is no need for anyone to come out. That we can just be whoever we want to be and love without it being questioned. Or without it being considered out of the norm. I know queerness and identity is different for everyone. For me, to come out was an affirmation to myself, that I would be who I truly was in public as well as private. Let’s stop assuming people’s identity and sexuality, so that we can create a safe and welcoming environment in which people are free to be who they are - Eliza, YFS Kinship Navigator #nationalcomingoutday

A reminder on this #worldmentalhealthday that you don’t have to be on this journey alone. We each have our own healing to do, but there is always support. We’re here for you. Reach out and let us journey alongside you as you do the hard work of tending to your heart and mind.

Voting isn't just a civic duty, it's also a key part of strengthening community. To help make your voting process a little easier, we've teamed up with the Registrar of Voters to become a designated ballot drop-off site. Today through November 3rd, signed, sealed and dated mail ballot envelopes can be dropped off at our offices. Click the link in bio to learn more! #Vote2020 #SanDiego