Old Mission Rotary Club's Art Pratt Foundation selected The Youth Assistance Coalition to be one of its beneficiaries. The Youth Assistance Coalition (YAC) was founded in 2017 by a group of motivated volunteers who saw the pattern of youth homelessness in San Diego and wanted to break it. From the beginning, YAC has focused on a community approach to breaking this pattern, and has built up powerful partnerships with many other organizations in San Diego who are also committed to helping these youth get off the streets in a lasting way. So far this year, they have provided 110 youth with stable housing.
Their mission is to positively impact the lives of youth, ages 12 to 24, experiencing homelessness through empowerment, mentorship, and community collaboration in order to provide transformative opportunities.
Most of the homeless youth are local and have grown up in shelters or in the Foster care system.
They are a volunteer-run organization, and rely on the support and kindness of our community to be able to provide much-needed services to San Diego’s homeless youth population.
The Art Pratt Foundation presented YAC executive director Heather Leason with a grant of $5,000 during their April 20th Zoom Meeting. The funds will be used to furnish a day center in their new facility in East Village. The day centers offer safe space and an opportunity to work on their education.
Photo Caption: Heather Leazon is the Executive Director of YAC- The Youth Assistance Coalition.