At the Y, we believe that healthy communities are connected communities, where everyone can thrive with access to the services and support they need.
We understand that life's challenges can be overwhelming. This page features a thoughtfully curated a list of local resources provided by the Y and our dedicated community partners. These invaluable tools have been carefully selected by our social service staff to aid youth and families during difficult times.
Explore service areas:
Employment and Financial Assistance
Finding and Paying for Child Care
Housing Services
IMMEDIATE HOUSING SERVICES FOR YOUNG PEOPLE
YMCA Youth & Family Services provides specialized assistance to young people up to the age of 24 who are experiencing housing instability or homelessness.
If you or someone you know is a young person facing homelessness or housing instability, contact YMCA TAY Services.
YMCA TAY Services: Visit one of our TAY Drop-In Centers to receive meals, access to showers, personalized case management services, and other resources.
NORTH COUNTY INLAND CENTER - TAY ACADEMY
(760) 908-9373
Drop-in Hours: Monday through Friday from 2:00p.m. – 6:00p.m.
Closed Saturday and Sunday
NORTH COUNTY COASTAL CENTER - TAY ACADEMY
(760) 908-9647
Drop-in Hours: Monday, Wednesday, Friday from 12:00p.m. – 4:00p.m.
Mobile showers available Mondays 12:00p.m. – 3:00p.m. (except for during inclement weather and holidays that fall on a Monday)
TRANSITIONAL HOUSING PROGRAMS FOR YOUNG PEOPLE
YMCA Transitional Housing Services for Former Foster Youth: Supportive housing and case management for young people (ages 18-25) exiting the foster care system (North County).
YMCA Turning Point Transitional Housing: Residential support to young people ages 16-21 who are experiencing homelessness (City of San Diego).
LGBTQ Safe STAY Wellness Center: A comprehensive emergency bridge housing program providing supportive, LGBTQ-affirming services for up to 6 months (City of San Diego).
HOUSING SERVICES FOR ALL AGES
For anyone over the age of 24, contact the Regional Access Centers closest to you where basic needs are provided:
North County
Interfaith Community Services
550 W Washington Ave., Escondido, CA
(760) 489-6380
Central San Diego
Father Joe’s Village Day Center
299 17th St., San Diego, CA
(619) 230-7390
RENTER AND EVICTION RELIEF
Eviction Prevention Program and Emergency Legal Assistance (City of San Diego)
AFFORDABLE HOUSING
San Diego Housing Commission (City of San Diego)
MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES
COUNSELING SERVICES
YMCA Counseling and Teletherapy Services: In-person and virtual counseling services to community members on an income-based sliding scale (San Diego County).
YMCA School-Based Counseling Services: On-site school-based counseling services to students in participating school districts.
YMCA Counseling Services for LGBTQ+ Youth: Our Safe Place is a certified outpatient behavioral health program that provides a welcoming and supportive environment for LGBTQ+ youth, ages 12-21, and their families (North County).
PARENTING SUPPORT
YMCA Child Behavior Consultation Services: Behavior consultations with parents and caregivers of children ages 0-12 experiencing challenging behaviors (San Diego County).
YMCA Call for Connection Warm Line: Call (619) 521-3055 for free consultations and support to families, caregivers, and child care providers experiencing challenges that come along with parenting (San Diego County).
MINDFULNESS AND MENTAL WELLNESS RESOURCES
Y Be Well Podcast: Conversations in mindfulness designed to provide guidance on how to live a vibrant, fulfilling life relevant to our times.
24/7 MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES IN THE COMMUNITY
Youth Mental Health First Aid Training: YMCA Youth & Family Services offers free Youth Mental Health First Aid Trainings where participants learn how to identify, understand, and respond to signs of mental health and substance use challenges among children and teens ages 12-18. Interested in attending? Email Alyssa Ortega at [email protected].
San Diego County Mobile Crisis Response Team: Call (888) 724-7240 for immediate in-person support to anyone, anywhere experiencing a mental health, drug, or alcohol-related crisis. MCRT dispatches behavioral health experts to emergency calls instead of law enforcement, when appropriate, with teams made up of clinicians, case managers, and peer support specialists.
California Coalition for Youth’s Crisis Line for Teens: Call 1-800-843-5200 or access the online chat here to connect with a compassionate crisis counselor who can help navigate a range of issues including suicide, homelessness, assault, bullying, running away, and more.
National 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: The 988 Lifeline provides 24/7, free, and confidential support to people in distress – you don’t need to be suicidal to reach out. Call 1-800-273-8255 to be connected with a crisis counselor. Crisis counselors who speak Spanish are available at 1-888-628-9454.
The Trevor Project Trevor Lifeline for LGBTQ+ Youth: The Trevor Lifeline has trained counselors who understand the challenges LGBTQ young people face and offer free and confidential support 24/7. Call 1-866-488-7386 or text START to 678-678.
988 Textline: When you text 988, you will complete a short survey letting the crisis counselor know a little about your situation. You will be connected with a trained crisis counselor in a crisis center who will answer the text, provide support, and share resources if needed.
MHA Screening: Free online screening to quickly determine if you’re experiencing symptoms of a mental health condition.
EMPLOYMENT AND FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE
YOUTH EMPLOYMENT PROGRAMS
YMCA HIRE Program: Supports Black or African American-identifying, out-of-school youth, ages 16-24, with employment and educational readiness and services (County of San Diego).
YMCA CAREER Program: Provides specialized employment support, training, and assistance to single parents, age 18 or older, who have been laid off or underemployed in the last 6 months (County of San Diego).
San Diego Workforce Partnership Programs: Programs and resources for San Diegans looking for hands-on work experience, internships, job placement, education, and upskilling opportunities (County of San Diego).
FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE
CalWORKS and Employment Services: Temporary cash assistance to eligible families with minor children, to move families with children from dependence to self-sufficiency through employment (San Diego County).
General Relief: Provides temporary cash assistance for eligible county residents who have no other means of support. The aid received must be repaid to the county (San Diego County).
Cash Assistance Program for Immigrants: Cash aid to immigrants who are not eligible for the federal funded Supplemental Security Income/State Supplementary Income (SSI/SSP) Program (San Diego County).
FOOD ASSISTANCE
CalFresh: A benefits program for eligible, low-income families and individuals to supplement food budgets and allow families and individuals to buy nutritious food (County of San Diego).
Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC): Supports the health of low-income women, infants, and children up to age 5 who are at nutrition risk by providing nutritious foods to supplement diets, information on healthy eating, and referrals to health care.
Restaurant Meals Program: Allows elderly, disabled, and homeless individuals and their spouses receiving benefits to use their Golden State Advantage (EBT) cards to purchase meals from participating restaurants.
FINDING AND PAYING FOR CHILD CARE
YMCA Child Care Referrals: Offers free child care referral services to help families find and choose trust licensed child care providers that fit their family’s unique needs (County of San Diego).
YMCA Subsidized Child Care Services: Offers child care subsidies to families who qualify for child care services based on income and need (County of San Diego). See if you qualify.
YMCA Respite Care: Provides families with short-term relief by offering in-home and out-of-home care to children with developmental disabilities (County of San Diego).
YMCA Expanded Learning Programs: Partners with school districts and charter organizations to provide state and federally-funded before-school, after-school, and summer learning programs at no cost to eligible families across San Diego County (County of San Diego).
KINSHIP FAMILY SUPPORT
YMCA Kinship Support Services: Provides social, emotional, educational, and financial support to relatives who are raising the child of another family member (County of San Diego).
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 the prompts to get connected to the hotline.
Disclaimer: 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.