There is probably over 800 homeless youth residing in central San Diego. Homeless youth are people 18 and younger who are currently residing on the streets or in shelters, but most on the streets, because most don’t know where the shelter is. Some are runaways because of family problems or emotional issues at home. Some have left home because of abuse from there fathers and mothers. Many were abandoned at a young age and have been living on the streets. They usually stay in places where they blend in like the beach, were you can see other youth hanging out. Sometimes they stay at the beach and sleep there, or pool funds, with friends to check into hotels and those who know of the shelters stay in the shelters for a certain time period. They stay in abandoned houses. Many just give up looking for a house. 

To get what they need they sometimes steel money, they shoplift, some sell drugs for a living. Most of them use drugs and drink. There are 191 shelter beds set aside for youth at The Polinsky Center for preadolescent children, located at 9400 Ruffin Ct #A. Or call at 619-278-4400 ext. 20. There is also space at Storefront.

        So what can you do? There are a lot of things you can do to help with the homeless problem:

1)          Get involved in your community, you can volunteer at a homeless shelter or a soup kitchen, or you can donate money.

2)          You can donate cloths, food, blankets, pillows, anything you don’t need but that can be used again.

3)          Organize your friends, family, school, or your community to help with the homeless in your community. Organize a food drive, or a cloths drive to help homeless. Organize a food drive for the hungry. Help do your part to clean up the community and our city’s streets.

If you are homeless and you are in need of help click here