The Y’s mission is our reason for being, and the Y’s cause is our mission in action — a promise to do everything in our movement’s considerable power to enrich the common good and make life better for individuals, families, and communities. To ensure youth realize their potential to become active, engaged, and thriving members of the community, the Y will nurture their social, emotional, cognitive, and physical development through holistic youth programming, experiences, and supports. The following blogs cover the executive side of our Community Support Services. To learn more about our programs, click here. If you'd like to receive the latest YMCA Community Support Services news, click here.
NATIONAL FOSTER CARE MONTH: PERMANENT CONNECTIONS FOR YOUTH IN FOSTER CARE | May 29, 2019
What if Sherlock Holmes worked in social service? The idea isn’t too far-fetched – in fact, it’s happening right here in San Diego.
NATIONAL FOSTER CARE MONTH: GRANDPARENTS RAISING GRANDCHILDREN | May 20, 2019
When it comes to foster care, the child welfare system has as much of an effect on the caregivers involved as it does on the youth.
NATIONAL FOSTER CARE MONTH: TRANSITION AGE YOUTH AND HOST HOUSING | May 13, 2019
Through host housing, youth experience stability, live in an environment that mirrors an intact family, increase their well-being, and avoid the possibility of housing disruptions or a homeless experience.
NATIONAL FOSTER CARE MONTH: A ‘BRIDGE’ TO STABILITY | May 6, 2019
By accessing our services, resource families, formerly known as foster families, can increase their ability to create a safe, stable environment for the children in their care.
NATIONAL CHILD ABUSE PREVENTION MONTH: A NETWORK OF ABUSE PREVENTION ADVOCATES | April 29, 2019
Teachers and other school staff play a critical role in keeping kids safe and continuing the nurturing environment of a child’s home or, in some cases, providing a safe space for children who face adverse experiences with their families.
NATIONAL CHILD ABUSE PREVENTION MONTH: THE ROLE OF KINSHIP CAREGIVERS | April 22, 2019
Children who have been victims of abuse and neglect become involved with the Child Welfare System, and in San Diego County, these children are most often placed with relatives or other supportive adults instead of the traditional foster home model.
NATIONAL CHILD ABUSE PREVENTION MONTH: A FOCUS ON YOUNG PARENTS | April 15, 2019
You don’t need to have children yourself to recognize that becoming a parent is a transition filled with as many challenges as there are triumphs.
NATIONAL CHILD ABUSE PREVENTION MONTH: CHILD CARE PROVIDERS AS PREVENTION ADVOCATES | April 8, 2019
Child care settings become an extension of a child’s home and present a crucial opportunity for child care providers to become not babysitters but change agents in the field of child development.
STAFF HIGHLIGHT: 25.3 HOURS IN WASHINGTON, D.C., WITH KRISTINA HALMAI | April 2, 2019
Kristina Halmai is a YMCA staff member who holds the unique role of Clinical Innovation Consultant with the YMCA of San Diego County, Youth & Family Services (YFS) branch.
NATIONAL CHILD ABUSE PREVENTION MONTH: IT STARTS WITH US | April 1, 2019
Across the United States, nearly 3 million children are victims of maltreatment each year, and in San Diego, an estimated 10% of children are vulnerable to instances of abuse and neglect, based on data from the County’s Child Welfare Services department.
ABOUT YMCA EXPANDED LEARNING PROGRAMS | August 29, 2018
YMCA Expanded Learning Programs, a division of the YMCA of San Diego County, provides state and federally funded before and after school programs.
ABOUT YMCA CHILDCARE RESOURCE SERVICE | August 29, 2018
Through various programs, we ensure parents can continue to work, provide for their families, and grow their earning potential.
ABOUT YMCA YOUTH & FAMILY SERVICES | August 29, 2018
Our unique programming has been addressing San Diego’s most pressing social issues since 1970 and we continue to expand our services to adapt to our community’s needs.
NEW EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR CHOSEN FOR YOUTH & FAMILY SERVICES | December 20, 2018
We are excited to announce that the torch to lead YMCA Youth and Family Services has been passed to Krysta Esquivel as the new Executive Director.
WISHING A HAPPY RETIREMENT TO KIM MORGAN | December 20, 2018
It is with tremendous respect and affection that we announce that Kim Morgan is retiring as Executive Director of our Youth & Family Services branch at the end of December.
OUR NEW EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | December 2, 2016
We are pleased to announce Kim McDougal as the new Executive Director for the YMCA Childcare Resource Service department.
CREATING BRIGHTER FUTURES | January 11, 2016
Working with our donors and partners, the Y provides everyone the opportunity to be healthy and thrive, to connect with others, and contribute to a better community.