Community Corner
YMCA Solidarity Journey From Oceanside To San Ysidro Begins Nov 8
The YMCA of San Diego County is raising awareness for National Runaway and Homeless Youth Prevention Month with a Solidarity Journey.
OCEANSIDE, CA — The plight of homeless youth is a growing problem in Oceanside and throughout our region. It is estimated that up to fifty percent of chronic homeless adults began their homelessness as a youth.
November is National Runaway and Homeless Youth Prevention Month, an annual awareness and prevention campaign for runaway and homeless youth issues. YMCA of San Diego County is engaging in a month-long campaign to raise awareness around this serious social issue. The Y’s Rooted in Community campaign is intended to create space for our communities to understand more about what is possible when we invest in young people experiencing homelessness, and when they feel seen, heard, and supported.
As part of the Y’s Rooted in Community campaign, three members of the YMCA team will be traveling from Oceanside to San Ysidro on a SOLIDARITY JOURNEY to raise awareness for youth homelessness in our community. The journey will take place over three days (November 8-10) and will include four community events attended by various elected officials and leaders throughout the county.
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MONDAY, NOVEMBER 8 | OCEANSIDE
Join the YMCA team, community leaders, social service providers, and community members for breakfast during an exciting kickoff event to send off the YMCA team on their first leg of the Solidarity Journey.
"The goal of the Solidarity Journey is to elevate the social issue of Youth Homelessness to our community at large. Our goal is to demonstrate that Youth Homelessness touches every corner of our county and as a collective our county can solve this issue. We have chosen Oceanside as the starting point for this symbolic pilgrimage because it is the northern boundary of San Diego County, and we will finish the journey on November 10th at the bottom of the county at the border.” said Justin Lipford, Director of Community Engagement.
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Where: YMCA Youth & Family Services Oceanside Complex | 215 Barnes Street, Oceanside, CA 92054
When: 7:00 a.m.
Join local Oceanside leaders Deputy Mayor Ryan Keim, Councilmember Christopher Rodriguez, Councilmember Peter Weiss, Councilmember Kori Jensen and City Manager Deanna Lorson. The Oceanside kick-off is open to the entire community and is an opportunity for the community to join in demonstrating their solidarity in acknowledging this issue. It is also an expression to these youngsters that they are seen in the communities’ eyes.
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 9 | OCEAN BEACH
Join the YMCA team, community leaders, social service providers, and community members in Ocean Beach to hear from community leaders and advocates about the challenges unsheltered youth face, specifically LGBTQ+ youth who are disproportionately impacted by homelessness.
Where: Ocean Beach Pier | 1850 Ocean Front Street, San Diego, CA 92107
When: 2:00 p.m.
We are inviting all the county to join the walking portion on November 9th at 2pm at the OB pier. From here our group will walk a little more than a mile to the Ryan family YMCA branch in Point Loma.
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 10 | SAN DIEGO
Join the YMCA team, community leaders, social service providers, and community members in front of the San Diego County Administration Building to hear Supervisor Nathan Fletcher announce the County’s Proclamation to recognize November as Runaway and Homeless Youth Prevention Month.
Where: San Diego County Administration Building | 1600 Pacific Highway, San Diego, CA 92101
When: 10:00 a.m.
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 10 | CHULA VISTA
Join the YMCA team, community leaders, social service providers, and community members for a discussion about how access to community infrastructure, including transportation, is critical for youth and families.
Where: E Street Trolley Stop | 750 E Street, Chula Vista, CA 91910
When: 1:00 p.m.
Youth homelessness is a community issue that requires a community solution. YMCA of San Diego County is inviting the entire community to join the Solidarity Journey by attending these community events to learn about the challenges unsheltered youth and families face and ways they can be a part of the solutions.
YMCA SOLIDARITY JOURNEY TEAM BIOS
Justin Lipford: Justin serves as the Director of Community Engagement for YMCA Community Support Services in San Diego. He is passionate about connecting disconnected and vulnerable young adults to the resources necessary to flourish.
David Baker: David serves as the Program Director for Housing Our Youth at the YMCA of San Diego County. Dedicated to making positive change in the world, he is passionate about direct service work and is gifted in connecting with people. David’s advocacy work focuses on matters of equity and access for young adults.
Josh Astorga: Josh serves as the Support Specialist for the Y’s Connections 2020 program. He is an artist and advocate for youth experiencing homelessness.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Homelessness is one of the biggest social issues facing the San Diego community. San Diego County’s population of unaccompanied youth experiencing homelessness is the 7th largest in the country. Often referred to as an “invisible” crisis, youth homelessness impacts one in ten young people (ages 18-24 years old) in a year, and 1 in 30 adolescents (ages 13-17 years old) experience homelessness without a caregiver. It’s also important to note that youth of color and LGBTQ+ youth are disproportionately impacted by homelessness.
YMCA of San Diego County is committed to bringing about meaningful and lasting change for youth and families experiencing homelessness. YMCA Youth & Family Services (YFS) has nearly a dozen programs that help youth facing housing instability. YFS has a team of dedicated staff throughout the county providing housing, essentials, safety, counseling, education and employment assistance, and more to young people between the ages of 12-24 every day. By ensuring everyone has a safe place to live, a reliable support system, encouragement to pursue their goals, and access to the resources they need to flourish, our staff, volunteers and donors continue to help bring about meaningful and lasting change for the youth and families of our community. Learn how.
Gifts of all sizes are welcome to help youth stabilize their basic needs and support efforts to develop the skills that will lead to sustained independence. Donate here.
Find more information about the Y’s Rooted in Community Campaign here.
About the YMCA of San Diego County
The YMCA of San Diego County is one of the largest Y associations in the nation, serving nearly 500,000 San Diego County residents and employing more than 5,500 people (pre-COVID). Through a variety of programs and services focused on youth development, healthy living and social responsibility, the Y unites men, women and children - regardless of age, income or background - to nurture the potential of children and teens, improve the nation’s health and well-being, and provide opportunities to give back and support neighbors. The YMCA of San Diego County is dedicated to improving the quality of human life and to helping all people realize their fullest potential as children of God through the development of the spirit, mind and body. Visit www.ymcasd.org to find your local YMCA or call (858) 292-YMCA (9622).
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