The All In SJC newsletter is about communicating actions, ideas, policy,
research and stories about people who have been impacted by homelessness.
San Joaquin County Committed To Supporting Youth Struggling With Homelessness and Mental Health
All In SJC October Edition
Written by Jessica Nguyen
Suicide is the second leading cause of death for young people aged 15 to 241. Adolescents experiencing homelessness are three times more likely to attempt suicide than those who live at home2, and LGBTQ youths experiencing homelessness are two to four times more likely to experience depression, anxiety and suicide compared to youths with housing3. These stark statistics reflect the harsh reality of mental health challenges affecting our youth and reinforce the importance of existing mental health programs and accessible services for youths experiencing homelessness.

San Joaquin County Behavioral Health Services (BHS) and the San Joaquin Office of Education recently secured two grants for a total of $7.6 million dollars for school-based mental health services to provide peer-to-peer mentoring and suicide prevention programs, among others, to 144,000 students in 13 school districts. The importance of mental health awareness and support strongly resonates throughout the entirety of San Joaquin County, as seen from numerous community events such as the Child Abuse Prevention Council’s annual Walk 4 Life Suicide Awareness Walk and Lodi High School’s annual Suicide Prevention Walk.

In this month’s newsletter, we spotlight four organizations that are deeply committed to improving the lives of youth: the Women’s Center Youth and Family Services (WCYFS), the Echo Chamber Project, the San Joaquin Pride Center, and the One-Eighty Teen Center. Whether it’s through providing shelter, counseling, mental health services, or a safe and supportive environment, these organizations work hard to ensure that youths can look forward to a brighter future.

1. nochildabuse.org, 2. nhchc.org, 3. trevorproject.org
If you or someone you care about is experiencing a mental health crisis, call the 24/7 BHS Crisis Line at 209.468.8686.

And if you or someone you know is having a hard time and just need someone to talk to, call the 24/7 BHS Warm Line at 209.468.3585.
Organization Spotlights
San Joaquin Pride Center "The San Joaquin Pride Center, located in Stockton and established in 2012, serves as a welcoming and safe space for all LGBTQ+ members in the San Joaquin Community. With its brightly decorated interior and friendly members, it’s a place where Executive Director Cymone Reyes says, “you should feel like you’re walking into home.”
The Echo Chamber Project The Echo Chamber Project works to service marginalized populations and empower the youth, homeless, and the formerly incarcerated though community-based projects and collaborations. The nonprofit, started in 2020, is led by Executive Director Anthony Robinson Jr.
Women's Center Youth & Family Services The homelessness crisis is one of the most pressing matters being addressed in San Joaquin County today. Amidst the population of homeless individuals are an often-overlooked group: the unsheltered youth.
One-Eighty Teen Center Kids are the future. A popular phrase, and one the One-Eighty Teen Center, located in the City of Lodi, takes to heart as they, “strive to help youth make positive one-eighty-degree changes and to help them thrive.”
Resources & Service Spotlights
211 San Joaquin Call Center 2021 Annual Report is available!
211 provides expert, caring help — No matter the situation, the specialists at 211 listen, identify underlying problems, and connect people in need with resources and services in their community that strengthen their lives.
City by City Updates
TRACY
  • City of Tracy's Homeless Services Manager Virginia Carney presented to the city council all of the latest projects and the city's efforts to address homelessness.
  • Listen to full briefing available for the public on youtube by clicking the button below.
LODI
  • City of Lodi Harmony Homes Project (Four Permanent Supportive Housing Units
  • Sacramento Self Help Housing (operator) has had the first family move in to the Lodi Harmony Homes project and are looking to have the rest of the units filled soon. Lodi staff are excited to see this project come to fruition and helping members of the Lodi community. This project could not have been possible without San Joaquin County, San Joaquin CoC, Housing Authority of San Joaquin, City Leaders, Lodi Committee on Homelessness, and all of the other partner agencies, it takes strong collaboration to make projects like this feasible. 
  • Temporary Emergency Shelter Open
  • The Temporary Emergency Shelter, housed at the future site of the Access Center, opened on July 22, 2022. The Temporary Emergency Shelter has the ability to house up to 49 individuals currently experiencing homelessness and provides wraparound services including case management, life skills, housing navigation, income advocacy, mental health and substance use treatment resources, and job readiness training. These services are similar to what will be provided at the permanent Access Center once complete.
  • Within the first 40 days, the Temporary Access Center has helped:
  • Transition 2 people to programs
  • Transition 10 people to The Salvation Army
  • United 3 people with family
  • 3 people gain employment
  • Connected 13 people with Behavioral Health assistance
STOCKTON
  • St. Mary’s Dining Hall secured $6M to launch modular bedroom units as an expansion of services, which will provide an additional 150 beds for those currently living in nearby encampments or in their cars. Along with their campus partner, Stockton Shelter for the Homeless (SSH), they will be able to personalize shelter options based on individual needs.
  • The Clean City Initiative provides several free community recycling events and city-wide clean-up events throughout the year, mitigating illegal dumping and removing thousands of tons of trash each year.
MANTECA
  • Manteca is actively supported by regional nonprofit agencies like Hope Ministries, Interfaith Ministries, LOVE, Inc., and partnerships with county agencies and the City such as the Manteca Police Department
Partners
Kristen Birtwhistle
United Way of San Joaquin County
Alex McBride
United Way of San Joaquin County
Rebecca Ray
Family Resource & Referral Center
All In SJC is Sponsored by
All In Project SJC Editorial Board: 
Betty Wilson
Business Council

Dana Sovinec
Mayor of Stockton’s Office

Jennifer Rhyne
City of Lodi

Joan Singson
San Joaquin County Clinics
Hilary Crowley
San Joaquin County

Kayce Rane
San Joaquin County District Attorney’s Office

Marie Sanchez
Kaiser Permanente
Tammy Shaff
Dignity Health

Toni McNeil
Faith in the Valley
San Joaquin 

Zuleima Flores-Abid
United Way of SJC
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