In moments of uncertainty, the YMCA lifts up communities more than ever with resources to support families and ensure well-being as best we can during the global response to the COVID-19 outbreak. While maintaining social distancing and relying on virtual support according to public health guidelines, the Y continues to connect families to the services and supports they need.
With a constant stream of news and rapidly changing information, it can be difficult to know where to turn for advice. We know there are many organizations working together, and this list is a sampling of a few local resources and community partners our social service staff have been using to support youth and families during this time.
This list will be updated as we continue to receive information, so please check back often and protect yourself from potential scams using information from the local FBI office.
Local Resource Hubs
2-1-1 San Diego - Visit the website or call 2-1-1 for connections to local resources. 2-1-1 is also operating a nurse's hotline from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. for health-related questions. Call 2-1-1 and follow prompts to get connected to the hotline.
[email protected] - free resource with tips and strategies to stay healthy in both mind and body while staying at home, organized by age group and topic.
Child Care and Resources for Parents of Young Children
Financial Assistance for Child Care Services
We support families with financial assistance for childcare services.
Financial Assistance is available to provide child care services to children:
- Infant to 13 years old, and
- 18 to 21 years old for people with documented exceptional needs.
Visit www.childcaresandiego.com.
YMCA Childcare Resource Service is providing enhanced referrals to San Diego County families to speed up the search for licensed child care for essential personnel during this crisis: 1-800-481-2151.
Educational resources for children of all ages:
Resources for inclusion and belonging
San Diego Mission Academy: Free Online School, grades 7-12
Sesame Street
Computers2Kids: Low-cost refurbished computers and laptops for school work. Apply in English or Spanish.
Free or low-cost Internet access: resources from County of San Diego
Children's Backpack Ministry: Baby Ruth's Safe Haven is currently offering free backpacks filled with pencils, crayons, educational books, videos, notebooks and more every other Friday from 12 - 1 pm. Masks required. No ID'd or Income Documentation needed. Please call or text 619-829-2117 or 619-472-3900 or email [email protected] for more information.
Colgate Bright Smiles, Bright Futures: Recognizing that oral health education is critical to the success of every child, Colgate Bright Smiles, Bright Dutures has developed a new, virtual oral health educational workshop designed for children 12-years old and younger. The 20-minute "live" virtual workshop can be scheduled in advance and brought directly into your teacher's classroom, summer camp or virtual place of learning.
Food
Cal Fresh Updates (From Alliance for Regional Solutions)
- Households already on CalFresh will be temporarily bumped up to the maximum benefit ($194/person each month) for March & April. No additional paperwork is required; this increase will occur automatically.
- Anyone currently on CalFresh with renewal/recertification due in March, April, or May, paperwork schedule will be shifted. 6-month renewal (SAR7) will be skipped during these 3 months. 12-month recertification (Recert) during these 3 months will be pushed back 6 months (i.e. Oct for those regularly due in April). This shift will allow County/State staff capacity to process an influx of new applications related to the pandemic. Only action needed, CalFresh households must notify the County at any time within 10 days if they have an income or household status change that potentially makes then ineligible.
- A new public benefit ‘Pandemic-EBT’ program will be released soon; no details available yet.
Use CalFresh for online grocery delivery at select stores: Read More Here (in Spanish)
Food Distribution
Distribution site For students (Countywide)
Distribution site For families (Countywide)
North County Food Bank (North County)
Drive-Thru Food Distribution Center
Our Father's House of Worship will be hosting a free drive-thru food distribution every other Sunday from 12 - 1 pm. All families and individuals in San Diego welcome to pick up perishable, non-perishable food and non-food items. No ID's or Income Documentation needed.
Please call 619-472-3900 for more information.
Assistance for Grandfamilies
Generations United Resources | COVID-19 Fact Sheet
County of San Diego, Aging & Independence Services Bulletin
Great Plates Delivered: Home Meals for Seniors: County of San Diego
Emotional and Physical Well-Being
Virtual Therapy on a sliding scale: Counseling Services and Well-Being Annex, YMCA Youth & Family Services
Cómo Manejar la Salud Mental Durante el Brote de COVID-19: Recursos para Familias, Padres, y Cuidadores (Información en español en la sección debajo)
Virtual coaching and well-being services for current and former foster youth:
YMCA Youth Resiliency Center, contact Brittany Vetter, LCSW 81890, [email protected]
Caring for Your Anxiety: Shine
Online/Text/Phone Crisis Counseling with California Coalition for Youth:
Call 1-800-843-5200 or access online chat here.
Support for Individuals Sheltering in Unsafe Situations:
1-(888) 385-4657: San Diego's 24-hour domestic violence crisis line is currently providing counseling, legal services, and an updated list of the safe shelters that have availability within the county.
Online/Phone services for Mental Health and Wellness: San Diego County Suicide Prevention Council
Financial Assistance
United Way’s Worker Assistance Initiative: Request assistance to help to pay utility bills or rent/mortgage. Applications are available in English and Spanish.
Tax Assistance and Relief through the Internal Revenue Service: IRS.gov
Calculate how much you will receive from federal stimulus checks: Washington Post | How to apply for stimulus check if you have not yet filed taxes: IRS.gov
Housing
Housing Resources Roundup: YMCA Youth & Family Services
Renter and Eviction Relief
Template Letter for Inability to Pay Rent (PDF), Legal Aid Society of San Diego FAQs
Housing Services for Youth
YMCA Transition Age Youth Housing (North County) | YMCA Turning Point Transitional Housing (City of San Diego)
YMCA Emergency Housing Assistance: housing and supportive services for youth ages 18-24, (North County)
LGBTQ+ Safe STAY program: emergency overnight housing for LGBTQ+ youth ages 18-24, Monday - Friday
Affordable Housing
San Diego Housing Commission (City of San Diego)
Employment Counseling and assistance
Tips for Filing an Unemployment Insurance Claim
San Diego Workforce Partnership (Countywide)
YMCA Youth Employment Programs
Inclusion in this list is not an explicit endorsement of these resources; individuals seeking assistance are advised to conduct their own research and determine if the resources, services, or organizations are a good fit for their needs.