الرحلة السنوية السادسة للتضامن

SAN DIEGO – November 5, 2026 – This November, the YMCA of San Diego County’s خدمات الشباب والأسرة is convening community partners across the region for the الرحلة السنوية السادسة للتضامن, November 16–20, 2026, a weeklong movement dedicated to ending youth homelessness in San Diego County.

عقدت خلال National Youth HOPE (Homelessness Outreach, Prevention, and Education) Month, the Solidarity Journey brings together youth service providers, young people, and community leaders to shine a light on the realities of youth homelessness and the people, programs, and partnerships working to end it.

This year’s theme “A Roof for Every Youth” reflects a shared vision for a region where every young person has a safe place to call home, people they can count on, and a path toward the future they want. Throughout the week, the YMCA will convene partners in this effort including إس بي سي إس, البداية الرئيسية, The San Diego LGBT Community Center, خدمات شباب سان دييغوو خدمات لايف لاين المجتمعية for community walks, rallies, and visits to programs supporting young people experiencing homelessness. Together, participating organizations will highlight the importance of reaching young people earlier, strengthening regional coordination, and uplifting meaningful solutions that can prevent youth homelessness before it ever begins.

SOLIDARITY JOURNEY | NOVEMBER 16-20, 2026
The 6th Annual Solidarity Journey will travel across San Diego County, from South Bay to North County, connecting community members with the organizations and people working to end youth homelessness. YMCA leaders Krysta Esquivel and Justin Lipford will lead the way joined by community partners, young people, funders, and elected officials throughout the journey to elevate youth homelessness as a regional priority and encourage greater collaboration and investment in prevention.

The five-day journey will feature 5 community events, several opportunities to visit youth-serving programs, and many conversations about the systems and solutions needed to ensure every young person has a safe, stable place to call home.

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 16 | SOUTH BAY KICK-OFF
The Solidarity Journey kicks off in South Bay alongside SBCS. Join us for coffee, refreshments, and remarks from young people, followed by a one hour community walk. The event will conclude with lunch and a resource fair connecting attendees with local organizations and services.
Where: SBCS Community Room | 318 4th Ave., Chula Vista, CA 91910 — رسم خريطة

التاريخ:

• 10:30am | Kickoff gathering
• 11:30am–12:30pm| Community walk
• 12:30–1:30pm | Lunch and resource fair

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 17 | EAST COUNTY WALK & RALLY
Join Home Start, YMCA team members, community partners, and local leaders in East County for a community walk and rally highlighting the importance of early intervention, housing stability, and coordinated support for young people and families.

أين:
Little House Family Resource Services | 131 Avocado Ave., El Cajon, CA 92020 — رسم خريطة

التاريخ:

• 9:45am | Kickoff gathering
• 10:00–11:00am| Community walk
• 11:00am–12:30pm | Rally and remarks from Home Start leadership and community leaders

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 18 | COMMUNITY PANEL
Join regional leaders, corporate partners, and funders for a conversation about what it takes to end youth homelessness in San Diego County. The panel will explore the partnerships, prevention strategies, and coordinated stems needed to reach young people earlier and create lasting change.

أين: Copley-Price Family YMCA | 4300 El Cajon Blvd., San Diego, CA 92105 – رسم خريطة

التاريخ: 10:00 - 11:30 صباحًا

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 18 | COMMUNITY RALLY AT THE SAN DIEGO LGBT COMMUNITY CENTER
Join us at The San Diego LGBT Community Center in Hillcrest for an afternoon rally bringing together Solidarity Journey participants, community partners, and local leaders. Together, we’ll raise awareness about LGBTQ+ youth homelessness, highlight the importance of safe and stable housing, and show how regional partnerships are making a difference.

أين: The San Diego LGBT Community Center | 3909 Centre Street, San Diego, CA 92103 — رسم خريطة

التاريخ: 4:00 - 5:00 مساءً

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 19 | DOWNTOWN WALK & GREEN WAVE RALLY
Join San Diego Youth Services, YMCA team members, community leaders, and advocates for a community walk and rally calling attention to the urgent need to end youth homelessness.

The day begins at San Diego Youth Services’ TAY Academy Drop-In Center in Golden Hill, followed by a walk to the San Diego County Administration Building for the annual Green Wave Rally. Community members, service providers, and elected officials will gather for a joint proclamation by County Supervisors Monica Montgomery Steppe and Paloma Aguirre, reaffirming the region’s shared commitment to ending youth homelessness.

Community Walk:
10:00 AM | San Diego Youth Services TAY Academy Drop-In Center, Golden Hill

Green Wave Rally:
12:00 PM | San Diego County Administration Building, 1600 Pacific Hwy., San Diego, CA 92101 — رسم خريطة

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 20 | NORTH COUNTY FINALE
The Solidarity Journey concludes in North County with visits to the YMCA’s TAY Services in Oceanside, a quick visit with our community partners at Lifeline Community Services, a final community walk and event at YMCA Youth & Family Services’ Lincoln Transitional Housing Program in Escondido. Community members, YMCA staff, local leaders, and partners are invited to walk the final mile together and gather to uplift the teams doing this important work, reflect on the week’s journey, and reaffirm our shared commitment to ending youth homelessness.

Walk the Final Mile:
1:00 PM | Escondido Transit Center, 750 W. Valley Pkwy., Escondido, CA 92025 — رسم خريطة

Closing Event:
2:00pm | YMCA Youth & Family Services Lincoln Transitional Housing Program, 711 W. Lincoln Ave., Escondido, CA 92026 — رسم خريطة

For the latest event details, route information, and ways to participate, visit sojocali.org.

WHY YOUTH HOMELESSNESS MATTERS

Each year in San Diego County, approximately 5,000 young people experiencing homelessness access support services, including 1,300 young people who are experiencing homelessness for the first time. For many,
homelessness begins with family conflict, financial instability, or the loss of a safe place to stay. Youth homelessness often looks different from adult homelessness. Young people may move between friends’ homes, stay temporarily with relatives, or sleep in cars, making their experiences less visible in traditional homelessness counts.

The consequences can last a lifetime. Experiencing homelessness at a young age can interrupt education, employment, relationships, and physical and mental well-being. يظهر البحوث أيضا that many adults experiencing chronic homelessness first experienced housing instability or homelessness during their youth.

Preventing youth homelessness is one of the most important ways to prevent chronic homelessness later in life.

Across San Diego County, organizations are working together to build a more coordinated response that identifies young people at risk earlier, connects them with resources, and creates pathways to safe, stable housing. YMCA Youth & Family Services plays a critical role in this work, supporting more than 2,000 young people each year through drop-in centers, hotel vouchers, emergency housing, rental and deposit assistance, transitional housing, counseling, and education and employment support.

But ending youth homelessness takes more than individual programs. It requires public agencies, community organizations, youth service providers, funders, and young people working together to address the conditions that lead to homelessness in the first place. The Solidarity Journey offers an opportunity to see this work firsthand, meet the people behind it, and recognize the collective effort needed to create a future where no young person has to experience the trauma of homelessness.

HOW THE COMMUNITY CAN GET INVOLVED

Everyone has a place in this journey. Community members are encouraged to join a walk or rally November 16–20, learn about the organizations working to end youth homelessness, make a donation, or help spread the word. Donations through the Solidarity Journey support YMCA Community Support Services, providing flexible funding to meet urgent needs, strengthen critical programs, and advance innovative solutions for young people and families. Learn more and find ways to get involved at sojocali.org.

نبذة عن فريق رحلة التضامن التابع لجمعية الشبان المسيحية

كريستا إسكيفيل: Krysta serves as نائب رئيس الخدمات الاجتماعية for the YMCA of San Diego County, where she oversees YMCA Youth & Family Services and its programs supporting young people and families across the region. Her leadership focuses on strengthening community partnerships, advancing innovative approaches to complex social challenges, and building coordinated systems that better meet the needs of young people. Krysta is committed to addressing the root causes of youth homelessness, expanding prevention efforts, and bringing organizations together to create lasting solutions.

جاستن ليبفورد: Justin serves as the مدير المشاركة المجتمعية والانتماء for the YMCA of San Diego County. With more than 20 years of experience in social work, he leads community partnerships and philanthropic initiatives that strengthen belonging and expand access to YMCA programs across the region. Justin is passionate about fostering meaningful connections and creating pathways for young people experiencing homelessness to access the resources and opportunities they need to flourish.

نبذة عن جمعية الشبان المسيحية في مقاطعة سان دييغو

The YMCA of San Diego County is one of the largest Y associations in the nation, serving over 400,000 San Diego County residents and employing more than 4,500 people. Through a variety of programs and services focused on community well-being and belonging, the Y unites individuals – 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 nurtures a healthy spirit, mind, and body so all can thrive while honoring our faith-based heritage. Find your local YMCA or call (858) 292-YMCA (9622).