Beyond strong programs, every child and teen feels more confident and set-up for academic success when they have the tools they need. During the 2016/2017 school year, more than 1,800 youth benefited from the SAY San Diego Back to School supplies program, thanks to generous donors including the Boys & Girls Foundation, Dr. Seuss Foundation, and San Diego County Employees’ Charitable Organization. This school year we are on track to serve a record 2,500 youth!

SAY San Diego’s Teen Court provides first time justice-involved juveniles ages 12-17 a chance to be diverted from juvenile courts by accepting an alternative sentence selected by a jury of their peers. Last year 121 youth volunteer jurors benefited from leadership development and learned about restorative justice and court procedures, while 95 youth were given the chance to learn from their mistakes and have arrest records removed upon completion of the program. Last year, 99% of the youth enrolled did not reoffend in the three months following the program.

In 2017, SAY San Diego’s five preschool sites provided 201 children, ages 3-5, with safe, secure, flexible and stimulating environments that promote, nurture, and enhance all areas of their development. This year, SAY San Diego participated in the “Moves the Needle” lean innovation process to explore ways to expand preschool access to even more working parents with varying financial circumstances.

SAY San Diego’s CAT Plus program educates teens about sexual health, including pregnancy prevention and sexually transmitted disease prevention. Despite looming federal cuts to programming for teen pregnancy prevention in 2017, SAY San Diego’s program drew 548 teens for information about consent, safe decision making, and avoiding risky situations. CAT Plus facilitators also help teens navigate the legal system and provide pregnant teens with referrals to programs such as SAY’s First 5 First Steps.

Every year, hard-working San Diegans lose millions in tax refunds due to incorrectly completed tax returns and a lack of financial literacy to understand deductions and more. The staff and volunteers of SAY San Diego’s EITC program provided free tax return assistance to more than 900 households in 2017, reinvesting $1.3 million back into the community and most importantly, family budgets.

Project KEEP provides support and education for foster parents and kinship caregivers, designed to improve their children’s behavior and decrease stress. In 2017, 140 San Diego adults received training and support to be effective and nurturing caregivers to children traumatized in the past by parental separation. Many of the caregivers are grandparents who are learning to raise children again with approaches very different from when they were raising their own children.

In the economically challenged and ethnically diverse community near Crawford High School, more than 90% of students are from refugee or immigrant families. SAY San Diego’s Crawford Community Connection Prom Drive helped nearly 70 of these students participate with their peers in the milestone senior prom event by providing donated prom attire, accessories, and free tailoring at local dry cleaning shops.

In partnership with the AjA Project, Healthy Planet USA, and with generous support from the San Diego Foundation Opening the Outdoors initiative, SAY San Diego launched Outdoor Advocates. Outdoor Advocates empowers youth to address problems in their community through photography and storytelling. Students from Mid-City and Southeastern San Diego use photography to raise awareness and find solutions to create clean, safe outdoor environments. Initiatives include the development of urban community gardens, advocating for pet-friendly areas, and addressing trash and safety.

The San Diego Military Family Collaborative (SDMFC), convened by SAY San Diego, provides a forum to maximize the collective impact of resources to enhance military life. Nearly 200 organizations make up the SDMFC, including SAY’s Military Family Resource Center. The collaborative offers workshops, resources, special events, and support groups for active duty and veteran families. In 2017, 84% of military spouses reported feeling prepared for transition to civilian life as a result of participation in Military Transition Spouse Edition workshops, up from 20% prior to the program.

Volunteers make it possible for SAY to improve the lives of youth, families, and communities throughout the year.

Thank you!

Program Volunteers: 234
Interns: 23
Special Events Volunteers: 385
Board and Committee Volunteers: 16

Every member of SAY San Diego’s Board of Directors invested in our impact in 2016/17. These community, civic, and business leaders volunteer their time, contribute their expertise, and continually support SAY San Diego.

Thank you!

Through SAY San Diego’s Holiday Hopes program, 549 households (2,340 individuals) found joy during the holiday season. More than 300 donors provided children’s toys, teen gifts, household essentials, and gift cards to families in need. Our dedicated team of more than 200 volunteers contributed 900 hours to collecting, sorting, and delivering gifts to families in the Holiday Hopes program.