COUNTDOWN TO the Journey
Days
Hours
JOIN US NOVEMBER 18-21 FOR OUR ANNUAL
SOLIDARITY JOURNEY
Join us November 18th-21st for the YMCA Solidarity Journey and be part of a powerful movement to end youth homelessness in San Diego County. From Tijuana to Oceanside, our team will walk and bike alongside community members, partners, and policymakers to amplify our message and inspire meaningful action to end youth homelessness.
Walk with us, stand with us, and help create the change our community needs.
EXCLUSIVE SOJO MERCHANDISE WITH YOUR GIFT OF $125 OR MORE!
Whether you join the journey or support us from afar, your contribution makes a real difference. Donate now and be part of the solution!
With your donation of $125 or more, you'll receive an exclusive SOJO Bundle featuring your choice of a cozy hoodie or crewneck, plus a stylish belt bag. Add your size and choice of sweatshirt in the comments.
SOJOCALI ON THE ROAD
JOIN US AT SPECIFIC RALLY POINTS ACROSS THE COUNTY
Join us in person or follow along on social media to be part of this year’s Solidarity Journey! Together, we can amplify our message and inspire meaningful action to end youth homelessness in San Diego County.
We’re starting the week with a special visit to Casa YMCA de Menores Migrants in Tijuana, Mexico to learn about their incredible work supporting unaccompanied migrant children. Follow our journey on Instagram (@ymcayfs) for live updates.
Join us for a community brunch at the Border View Family YMCA, followed by a 1.5-mile walk to the Chula Vista Animal Care Facility. Help cheer on Justin and David lead the way! Thinking ahead? Team up with a friend to have a ride ready at the finish—or enjoy the return walk with the group.
RALLY POINTS:
10:00AM – 11:00AM > COMMUNITY BRUNCH AT BORDER VIEW FAMILY YMCA, 3601 Arey Dr, San Diego, CA 92154
11:00AM – 12:30PM > 1.5 MILE WALK (3 MILES ROUNDTRIP) TO THE CHULA VISTA ANIMAL CARE FACILITY, 130 Beyer Way, Chula Vista, CA 91911
Join us downtown for a meaningful conversation with local leaders and community partners. Can’t make it during the workday? Join us later for a community healing event at the Ryan Family YMCA!
RALLY POINTS:
12:00PM – 1:30PM > COMMUNITY RALLY AT COUNTY ADMINISTRATION BUILDING, 1600 Pacific Hwy, San Diego, CA 92101
5:00PM – 7:00PM> COMMUNITY HEALING AT RYAN FAMILY YMCA, 4390 Valeta St, San Diego, CA 92107
*dress warm and bring a blanket or yoga mat
Join us for the final stretch of our journey! Walk the last mile with Justin and David as they head over to YMCA Youth & Family Services’ TAY Housing Complex for the community finale event. Don’t forget to plan for a ride back!
RALLY POINTS:
3:00PM > MEET AT OCEANSIDE TRANSIT CENTER, 205 S. Tremont St, Oceanside, CA 92054
3:30PM – 4:00PM > WALK THE FINAL MILE TO TAY, 215 Barnes St, Oceanside, CA 92057
4:00PM – 5:30PM > COMMUNITY FINALE AT TAY, 215 Barnes St, Oceanside, CA 92057
IMPACT NUMBERS
THE Y’S ROLE IN ENDING HOMELESSNESS
Our YMCA Youth & Family Services branch works alongside young people experiencing housing instability or homelessness to provide critical supports such as drop-in centers, hotel vouchers, emergency housing, rental and deposit assistance, and transitional housing services.
By ensuring young people have a safe place to live, a reliable support system, encouragement to pursue their goals, and access to the resources they need to flourish, our Y staff, partners, volunteers, and donors continue to help bring about meaningful and lasting change for the youth and families of our community.
Understanding Youth Homelessness in California
California's Youth Homelessness Crisis: California has the highest number of young people experiencing homelessness in the country. Over one-third of all unaccompanied youth in the U.S. are in California, making it a significant issue that demands urgent attention.
Unique Challenges for Youth: Young people experiencing homelessness face challenges that are different from adults. They are at risk for higher rates of trauma, are often involved in systems like foster care or juvenile justice, and frequently lack the social safety nets many rely on.
Disproportionate Impact on Vulnerable Groups: Certain groups of young people are more likely to experience homelessness due to systemic barriers. This includes LGBTQ+ youth, youth of color, pregnant and parenting youth, former foster youth, and those involved in the juvenile justice system. Addressing their specific needs is critical to reducing youth homelessness.
The Importance of Early Intervention: Half of the adults experiencing homelessness first encountered it before the age of 25. This means that early intervention and prevention strategies can play a powerful role in breaking the cycle of lifelong homelessness.
Youth-Informed Solutions: Ending youth homelessness requires more than a one-size-fits-all approach. By working together and understanding the unique needs of young people, we can develop tailored solutions that provide stability, support, and opportunities for them to thrive.
THE ISSUE WE’RE FACING
Our Impact
Thanks to the generosity of our community and critical grant funding, YMCA Youth & Family Services is able to make a real difference in the lives of young people facing homelessness. Just last year, we were able to:
3,369
Nights in a Bed
500
Hotel Vouchers
1,393
Gateway Supports
3,107
Meals Provided
Donations through the Solidarity Journey give us the flexibility to meet urgent needs and provide support when it's needed most. These numbers represent more than just statistics—they reflect lives changed, futures secured, and the hope you've helped create.
OUR PARTNERS:
Thank You to our Partners
Community Heroes
Blue Shield of California Promise Health Plan, DropKick Brew, Jerome’s, Knights of Columbus, Mr. Moto Pizza, San Diego Foundation, Wallendorf Studios
Change Makers
Alaska Airlines, BQuest Foundation
Hope Dealers
Lucky Duck Foundation
Interested in making an even bigger impact for youth?
Amplify the Cause
Check out the official SOJOCALI Playlist and add your favorite tracks to keep Justin and David inspired as they walk and bike across San Diego County.
Step 2: Login to your Spotify account.
Step 3: Congratulations! You are now an official SOJOCALI - Fuel The Journey Playlist Collaborator. It's your turn to add songs that resonate with your journey, share your vibes, and give us the tunes that inspire and fuel our adventures.
Esquivel is vice president of social services at the YMCA of San Diego County and lives in Encinitas.
Two YMCA employees have embarked on a unique three-day journey to call attention to the issue of youth homelessness.
On Friday, David Baker and Justin Lipford finished a 125-mile walk from Long Beach to San Ysidro. Along the way, they hosted rallies, met with local leaders and walked with other people to raise awareness for youth homelessness.
On July 16, 2019, YMCA Youth & Family Services staff David Baker testified before Congress at the House Committee on Education and Labor, Subcommittee on Civil Rights and Human Services to support the reauthorization of the Runaway and Homeless Youth Act.
MAKE YOUR
SECURE DONATION
We appreciate you and your generosity to make our community a better place. Don't forget to add your size and sweatshirt choice (crewneck or hoodie) in the comment section. Thanks!
#SOJOCALI
Inspired to share your own story?
Share your moments of hope and unity during this journey using the hashtag #SOJOCALI, and you might find your posts gracing the virtual pages of this site.