Social Advocates for Youth receives $200,000 grant for teen shelter

Social Advocates for Youth (SAY) is proud to announce it is a recipient of a Basic Center Program grant from Health and Human Services to continue operation of its Dr. Coffee House Teen shelter in Santa Rosa. This shelter serves youth under the age of 18 across Sonoma County who have run away from home, are experiencing homelessness, or who are at-risk for homelessness.

“I am proud to join with Santa Rosa’s own Social Advocates for Youth to announce this $200,000 Federal grant,” says Rep. Mike Thompson. “This important funding from the Federal government will allow SAY to continue operating its youth shelter that helps keep young people in our community from becoming homeless. This is a great program for our community and I’m glad it will continue serving our local youth.”

“The fact that our facility is currently full highlights the immense need for social and emotional support that our youth are experiencing,” says Anita Maldonado, CEO of Social Advocates for Youth.

As of the latest Homeless Census and Survey Point-in-Time Count released in 2020, Sonoma County has a disproportionate number of unaccompanied homeless youth under 18, at 7.8% of California’s total. The BCP grant provides funding for shelter, family reunification support, and counseling services for minors and their families to prevent youth from experiencing homelessness.

“We’re giving these families the gift of time to reflect, and we’re also giving them the gift of support when they come back together,” says Maldonado. “And these are the tools that we provide to families through counseling and support.”