Emergency Needs &
EMERGENCY NEEDS
When you encounter an emergency, we’re here to be of support and guide you in meeting your needs, whether it’s assistance with a bus pass, food card, rental assistance, extra resources, or simply working with a coordinator to map out your next BIG STEP!
How Does It Work?
Basic Needs provides resources and emergency financial assistance so that youth can focus their energy on moving forward. Some examples of Basic Needs assists include: rent/utilities assistance, auto repair/insurance/registration help, bus/trolley passes, food cards, medical/dental assistance, professional clothing, and help with bills.
We also connect youth with resources, mentors, and workshops that will help them get back on their feet, avoid debilitating stress and unhealthy habits, and encourage self-confidence and self-sufficiency.
Requirements
To qualify for Basic Needs, you must be:
- A current or former foster youth
- Between the ages 18-26
- Currently living in San Diego County
- Demonstrate engagement/involvement with our other empowering services
- Working and/or attending school or have concrete plans to do so
How Do I Join?
Please be sure to call us for urgent requests or if you need help applying: 619.657.6923.
Youth Services staff will contact applicants within 72 hours of receiving a request, and will personally meet applicants, identify and assess needs, and assist with purchasing the essentials to resolve the immediate financial emergency. Other staff and volunteers also provide one-on-one advice to participants by sitting down and outlining a budget and financial plan. Applicants are required to return a receipt within 10 days of receiving a resource.
You can apply directly by clicking here.
STABLE HOUSING
My First Home
Having a place you can call home is fundamental to creating your foundation for success. It’s not just finding housing. It’s having a safe, comfortable, reliable environment you can be proud of because you get everything you need, from bedroom furnishings to kitchen forks, with an assist from our community of volunteers.
How Does It Work?
Any youth who qualifies for My First Home is invited to a shopping day at our My First Home Distribution Center, where they pair up with a volunteer shopper to choose the items needed to turn their apartment into a welcoming, comfortable place to call home. Our Distribution Center is stocked with everything needed to create a firm foundation, from gently-used furniture and décor to new beds, appliances and cleaning supplies. Then, volunteer movers assist participants in transporting the items to the youth’s apartment and setting everything up. Volunteers from our community are also able to offer guidance on smart purchasing and home expenses moving forward.
Examples of items offered at our Distribution Center include dressers, night stands, sofas and loveseats, tables, chairs, desks, new towel sets, new silverware sets, new dishware sets, new glassware sets, new pots and pans, new comforters and sheet sets, new pillows, lamps, new vacuums, new microwaves, new toasters, artwork, rugs, new cleaning supplies and much, much more. For essential items that are not readily available at our Distribution Center, items can be delivered to youth’s homes or gift cards may be offered to shop with a volunteer at a local store.
Requirements
To participate in My First Home, you must:
- Complete our new youth orientation
- Have housing established
- Be enrolled in school or working
How Do I Join?
My First Home shopping days are typically held one to two times a month and youth can sign up at any time. We also accept referrals from trusted sources including San Diego County Child Welfare Services, independent living skills providers, programs specializing in housing such as the HOME Program, and many other organizations and agencies in San Diego serving current and former foster youth.
Apply for My First Home Now
