COUNTDOWN TO the Journey
Days
Hours
JOIN US NOVEMBER 4-7 FOR OUR ANNUAL YMCA
SOLIDARITY JOURNEY
A movement to end youth homelessness in San Diego County rooted in community, grounded in dignity, and powered by our shared humanity.
From Tijuana to Escondido, we’ll walk and ride alongside our program teams, partners, young people, and policymakers to shine a light on youth homelessness and the systems that shape access to housing, stability, and opportunity.
The Solidarity Journey is about more than miles – it’s about showing up, building relationships, and working together toward real solutions that reflect what young people need and deserve.
Walk with us, stand with us, and help create the change our community needs.
This year, we have a new way to stay connected throughout the journey! To receive real-time updates, event reminders, and highlights, simply text SOJOCALI to 858-293-9617 to subscribe.
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.
join us along the way
Join us in person or follow along on social media to be part of this year’s Solidarity Journey!
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 throughout the day.
RALLY POINTS:
2:00PM – 3:30PM → WALK 3.5 MILES FROM THE SAN YSIDRO BORDER CROSSING TO BORDER VIEW FAMILY YMCA
Join us for a day of connection and movement as the Solidarity Journey continues from South Bay to Central San Diego. This leg blends walking and public transit, making it easy to join in for one segment or travel the full route.
RALLY POINTS:
10:00AM – 11:00AM → BRUNCH AT BORDER VIEW FAMILY YMCA
11:30AM – 1:00PM → WALK 3.5 MILES FROM BORDER VIEW FAMILY YMCA TO SBCS
1:30PM – 2:00PM → RIDE THE TROLLEY FROM PALOMAR TRANSIT STATION AND THEN WALK 1.5 MILES TO SOUTHCREST RECREATION CENTER
3:00PM – 4:00PM → WALK 1.5 MILES FROM SOUTHCREST RECREATION CENTER TO JACKIE ROBINSON FAMILY YMCA
Come prepared by planning your return ride, dressing in green and comfy walking gear, and bringing water and light snacks.
Join the Green Wave as we come together with community leaders and youth providers to discuss meaningful progress toward ending youth homelessness in San Diego County.
RALLY POINTS:
12:00PM – 1:30PM → JOIN US AT THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATION BUILDING FOR A PROCLAMATION AND SPEAKER SERIES
5:00PM – 7:00PM → JOIN US AT RYAN FAMILY YMCA FOR A REJUVENATING SOUND BATH (Limited space, registration required)
REGISTER HERE!
We’ll close out the Solidarity Journey traveling up the coast to celebrate at our Lincoln Apartments in Escondido — the site of our supportive housing community for youth.
RALLY POINTS:
10:00AM – 12:00PM → RIDE THE COASTER FROM OLD TOWN TRANSIT CENTER TO OCEANSIDE WHERE WE’LL CONNECT ON THE SPRINTER TO ESCONDIDO
1:00PM – 1:30PM → WALK 1.5 MILES FROM ESCONDIDO TRANSIT CENTER TO YMCA LINCOLN APARTMENTS
1:30PM – 3:00PM → JOIN US FOR A FINAL CLOSING EVENT AT YMCA LINCOLN APARTMENTS
Come prepared by planning your return ride, dressing in green and comfy walking gear, and bringing water and light snacks.
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
A Statewide Crisis
California has the highest number of young people experiencing homelessness—over one-third of all unaccompanied youth in the U.S. are here.
Why It's Different For Young People
Young people face unique challenges—higher rates of trauma, fewer support systems, and deeper ties to foster care, juvenile justice, or other systems. With most homeless services being designed for adults, too many young people are left without the specific support they need.
Why Early Action Matters
Half of all adults experiencing homelessness had their first experience before age 25. Reaching young people early on can change the course of their lives and reverse the path toward lifelong instability.
Solutions That Reflect Real Lives
There’s no universal fix. By listening to young people and centering their experiences, we can build housing solutions that actually meet their needs and support long-term stability.
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.
thank you to 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
Donations through the Solidarity Journey give us the flexibility to meet urgent needs and provide support when it's needed most.
We appreciate you and your generosity to make our community a better place.
Prefer PayPal, Venmo, or Apple Pay? Donate here.
#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.