Early Saturday morning, Liberty Station’s Central Promenade was already buzzing with collaborative effort. Volunteers armed with zip ties and masking tape raised banners along the main stage. Nonprofits from across San Diego built out their spaces, while young entrepreneurs from the Just in Time community sharpened their pitches. Craft tables lined with cut flowers and sparkly beads filled the center walkway. 
By the afternoon, that momentum had transformed into something much bigger. 

More than 700 people came through the Igniting HOPE, Building CommUNITY Family & Friends Festival, an afternoon shaped by both connection and celebration. Guests moved between moments, joining yoga near the food trucks, vibing to live music, and exploring a wide network of community resources. 

Young people connected directly with organizations supporting housing, education, employment, and mental health. At the NextUP tent, participants picked up skateboards while learning about a new app designed to link them to resources across a network of nonprofit partners. More than 20 raffle prizes were awarded, including a staycation at the Manchester Grand Hyatt, adding excitement throughout the day. 

What made the event meaningful wasn’t just what happened, it was how it came to be.  From the beginning, the festival was shaped by the voices of the young people we serve. In early planning conversations, they asked for access to practical resources and, just as importantly, an experience that felt joyful. They wanted good food, music, and space to connect.  That vision guided every decision. 

For Just in Time, this festival also reflects something larger: the importance of a strong, connected nonprofit ecosystem. As funding landscapes shift, collaboration is essential. By working together, we expand access to resources and improve outcomes for the young people we serve. 

Igniting HOPE wasn’t just a one-day event, it was a reflection of what’s possible when community shows up together.