"If it wasn't for SBCS, I don't know where I'd be. To have a home. To feel safe. There are no words to describe it. Everyone who inspired me and helped me to do better, they all have a piece of my heart."

– Vanessa, 15 years old.

Youth & Family Development

Youth Services

South Bay Community Services offers a full spectrum of services designed to provide youth the resources and skills they need to reach their full potential and give their best to themselves and their community.

Our programs include housing and support for homeless youth and youth aging out of the foster care system, as well as counseling, tutoring and job skill training. We work to keep young people in school, reduce criminal activity and violence, address substance abuse and mental health issues, assist in their academic achievement, and provide social skill classes.

From youth in need to youth who serve as peer mentors, all youth in the South Bay benefit from our services. Our programs reach more than 7,000 youth annually.

Our youth programs and services include:

• Trolley Trestle – Trolley Trestle offers affordable, transitional housing for former foster youth and/or homeless youth while they finish school or complete job training. We welcome emancipated youth ages 16-24 and parenting youth. Download an informational PDF.
• EXCEL – The EXCEL program prepares youth and adults to achieve academic and employment success. Funded by the San Diego Workforce Partnership, EXCEL provides work readiness training, paid and unpaid internships, life skills classes, housing assistance, financial literacy and more. Download an informational PDF.
• Independent Living Skills (ILS) – ILS classes offer a unique series of educational classes and services designed to support current and former foster youth. Download an informational PDF.
• Community Assessment Team (CAT) -The CAT Team works to keep kids in school and out of the Juvenile Justice System by providing early intervention to youth and families. The CAT program also includes a gender-specific component for adolescent females who are involved in the juvenile justice system and their families. Download an informational PDF.
• Teen Pregnancy Prevention Services – is a 16 session curriculum designed to help educate our youth on abstaining and reducing their own risk factors in order to give them the best chance of avoiding pregnancy and/or contracting a sexual transmitted infection.
• Juvenile Diversion – a program providing an array of support services for first time youth offenders, run-aways, youth on Probation, and non-offenders and their families
• Vision Achievement Mentoring – This program works with teens encouraging healthy decision making and assists youth in developing a positive vision of themselves through individual and group mentoring, and family education.
• Peer Educators and Street Outreach – Teens are trained to positively influence other youth who are in need of support. Peer educators provide outreach to youth and community members regarding issues such as homelessness, gang prevention and other at-risk behaviors.
• Community Service Program – Community services project opportunities for youth and individuals required to complete community service.
• After School Programs – provides a variety of after school programs and activities for youth. The programs are provided in a safe, drug and alcohol free environment where the youth may feel free to explore new areas of interest and activities during the “critical hours” 3:00 p.m. to 6 p.m.
• Children’s Mental Health Services provides school and community based services to children, teens, and their families.

Outcomes

Every year we are able to serve more children, youth and families. And we do so while also increasing outcomes. As a friend, donor, sponsor, volunteer or funder, you have given us the ability to continue providing high-quality services and new innovative programs for the communities of San Diego’s South County. Review our Outcomes.

Housing and Family Programs

With 428 units of transitional and affordable housing, SBCS is recognized as the region’s most significant provider of affordable housing and supportive services. Our developments provide more than just four walls and a roof. The Youth and Family Development Department also offers residents support and resources such as: fair housing assistance, financial literacy, counseling, job readiness training, and more. Below is information on some of our programs:

• Affordable Housing
• Rental Assistance
• Emergency Food
• Employment assistance
• Fair Housing
• Tax Services
• Senior Programs

Affordable and Transitional Living

For more information on housing, including requirements and applications, contact Gloria Ramirez @ 619.420.3620 or gramirez@csbcs.org.

• Casa Estable- Provides affordable housing to low income, working families.
• Casa Estable I – Permanent affordable housing for families.
• Casa Estable II – Permanent affordable housing for families.
• Casa Nueva Vida I – Short-term living program.
• Casa Nueva Vida II – Two-year transitional living program with 12 units.
• Casas de Transicion – Housing for former homeless families.
• Cordova Village – a 40-unit affordable housing development consisting of 2, 3 and 4 bedroom units. Located in the Rancho Del Rey community of Chula Vista, Cordova Village was awarded the 1999 Project of the Year by the Federation of Housing and Community¬†Development and the Beautification Award from the City of Chula Vista.
• Harvest Ridge – Affordable living for seniors located in the Otay Ranch Community of the City of Chula Vista. 90 units.
• La Posada – Our affordable housing community consists of 25 housing units for very low income families and low income families living with HIV/AIDS.
• Sunrose Apartments – Permanent affordable housing with 181 units located in the Otay Ranch community of the City of Chula Vista.
• Trolley Terrace Townhomes – An 18 unit affordable housing co-op.
• Trolley Trestle – Affordable housing development for youth who have “aged out” of the foster care system.
• Victorian Heights – Housing for former domestic violence victims with substance abuse or mental health issues.

Are you struggling financially?
Looking to improve your credit …. find a better paying job … make future dreams come true? SBCS has various programs to help you including: Family Self Sufficiency Program (FSS) and Homeless Prevention and Rapid-Rehousing Program (HPRP)

The Family Self Sufficiency Program (FSS)offers many services for low-income families in South San Diego County.

• Financial fitness programs
• Free Tax preparations
• Employment assistance
• Emergency food and shelter

FSS requirements:

• Qualify based on income and family size
• Provide one proof of income, for example:
  • Check stubs, federal income taxes from 2008 or proof of public benefits

The Homeless Prevention and Rapid Rehousing Program (HPRP)
The Homeless Prevention and Rapid Rehousing Program at South Bay Community Services provides services to the residents of Chula Vista and National City. Services include:

• Rental Assistance
• Security Deposit Assistance
• Utility Assistance
• Legal resources for tenant/landlord issues

To determine if you are pre-eligible to apply, please contact

• Chula Vista HPRP Program (619) 420-0468
• National City HPRP Program (877)534-2524 ext. 2632
• Services are subject to funding availability and/or waiting list status.

If you live outside Chula Vista or National City, the following are additional HPRP Program resources:

Community Resource Center – Carlsbad
www.crcncc.org

City of Oceanside – Oceanside
www.ci.oceanside.ca.us

Townspeople – San Diego City
www.townspeople.org

County of San Diego – Unincorporated areas
www.co.san-diego.ca.us/sdhcd

North County Lifeline – San Marcos, Vista
www.nclifeline.org

Volunteers of America, Crisis House, and Set-Free Ministries – El Cajon
www.voa-swcal.org

Interfaith Community Services – Escondido
www.interfaithservices.org

Fair Housing: It’s Your Right

It is illegal to discriminate against persons because of their race, color, national origin, religion, sex, familial status, disability, marital status, age, source of income, sexual orientation or any other arbitrary reasons.

Some Aspects of Discrimination

• Discriminatory advertising
• Refusal to sell or rent
• Inconsistent rules or policies
• Lying about availability
• Accessibility
• Not allowing service animals
• Limiting family size or confining¬†some people to a specific location
• Denying reasonable accommodation or modification to the disabled

What is NOT considered Housing Discrimination?
Generally speaking, a landlord is NOT discriminating when they take into consideration Income, credit rating, job history, rental history, or any other pertinent info that directly relates to the ability and willingness to pay rent. This is allowable and legal.

What can you do? If you believe you have been a victim of illegal discrimination or harassment, document as much information as possible and email or call Eddie Duarte, SBCS Community Development Coordinator, at 619.420.3620 x140 or 800.640.2933 or eduarte@csbcs.org

South Bay Community Services, in partnership with City of Chula Vista, County of San Diego, North County Lifeline, Center for Social Advocacy and Fair Housing help San Diego County residents understand housing rights, assist with discrimination issues and claims, and offer mediation. In order to fight discrimination and be protected, it’s important to understand housing rights and the signs of unlawful activities. The Fair Housing Program is funded by the County of San Diego and the City of Chula Vista.

For further information:

• Fair Housing – It’s Your Right - www.hud.gov/offices/fheo/FHLaws/yourrights.cfm
• Equidad de Vivienda – Es Su Derecho - espanol.hud.gov/offices/fheo/FHLaws/yourrights.cfm?lang=es

Additional links to help you:

• SD County Fair Housing – sdcounty.ca.gov/sdhcd/renters/fair_housing.html
• Dept. of Consumer Affairs - dca.ca.gov
• Dept. of Fair Housing and Employment – dfeh.ca.gov
• City of Chula Vista – chulavistaca.gov/cvrh
• For a complete view of  the Affimative Fair Housing and Markering Plan (AFHMP) Instructions

Tax Services

You may be entitled to a refund on your taxes. By claiming the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), the Child Tax Credit and other important credits, you may receive a refund to help in your financial security.

SBCS’s Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) is a program of the Community Action Partnership (CAP) in partnership with United Way of San Diego and the Internal Revenue Service. It is considered to be the single most effective anti-poverty strategy. SBCS offers the EITC program to families and individuals who meet the federal poverty level (FPL) guidelines.

For more information on EITC program, go to the Internal Revenue Service or the AARP website.

For an appointment with at SBCS EITC locations or for a location nearest you contact SBCS at 619.420.3620

Senior Programs

SBCS brings ROSS (Resident Opportunities and Self Sufficiency) to the South Bay in collaboration with the Housing Authority of San Diego County, Aging and Independence to provide seniors and persons with disabilities residing in public housing with case management, transportation, and basic computer training.

SBCS Community Development Department also offers a variety of programs and services, including:

• Affordable apartment development, acquisition, rehabilitation and referrals
• Neighborhood improvement projects
• Fair Housing Assistance
• First-Time Home Buyer Assistance
• Security Deposit and Rental Guarantees
• Database of apartment listings throughout San Diego County

ACCION San Diego

ACCION San Diego provides credit and training for primarily low-to-moderate income entrepreneurs throughout San Diego County. With micro-loans ranging from $300-$35,000, clients can increase their inventory, buy equipment and raw materials and start or grow their businesses. ACCION also helps clients build favorable credit histories and improve their business skills with one-on-one training in bookkeeping, preparation of financial statements and credit repair.

(619) 795-7250

accionsandiego.org

Outcomes

Every year we are able to serve more children, youth and families. And we do so while also increasing outcomes. As a friend, donor, sponsor, volunteer or funder, you have given us the ability to continue to provide high quality services and new innovative programs for the communities of San Diego’s South County. Review our Outcomes.