San Diego Youth and Community Services

In San Diego County, approximately 7,500 youth are in foster and group home care. Up to 300 are emancipated from the system each year. It was clear that many of these young people were ill prepared to become productive, self-sufficient adults -- 50% were leaving the system without a high school diploma. Youth Empowerment Services (YES) provides services for emancipating foster youth in the areas of remedial education, housing, work readiness skills, and connections to employment opportunities.
SDSVP enabled YES to intensify their services at one specific group home – the Door of Hope for pregnant and parenting foster youth. Case management, educational support, and employment preparation were made available. Job tours, workshops, and events were provided. Nearly 78% of these girls completed work readiness training and nearly half completed an internship, job experience or vocational training.

“Many lessons were learned about the special needs and challenges of girls in a group
home setting who are pregnant and parenting as they are also struggling to become
independent and self-sufficient. These lessons will hold us in good stead as we continue
our work with them after the SDSVP grant is completed.”
-Marilyn Stewart, MSW, Director

3255 Wing Street
San Diego, CA, 92110
(619) 221-8600
http://www.sdyouthservices.org