On paper, Lilli Ethier beat the odds after leaving foster care.
She has an apartment. She’s got a good job. There are many people who care for her.
“But I am absolutely terrified that I will become homeless again,” Ethier, 23, told a small crowd in a youth clubhouse near downtown San Diego. “I’m still trying to heal from my past traumas, and I’m still trying to figure out how to take care of myself.”
She’s hopeful, however, that a new collaboration between dozens of local service organizations can fix some of the gaps in the system. United For Youth, which was formally announced earlier this month, will offer rental aid as well as mentorship and job training to hundreds of current and former foster kids. “I’m really excited for this new program because it’s so much more than just housing,” Ethier added.
One reason homelessness persists in San Diego County is, month after month, far more people tend to lose a place to stay for the first time than the number of homeless individuals who get housing. The crisis can’t be overcome without reversing that trend, yet many vulnerable populations continue to teeter on the edge of homelessness.
That includes former foster kids. Research has shown that many young adults aging out of the system can easily lose, or struggle to find, stable housing. While there are nonprofits able to help, leaders of those groups say cooperation has sometimes been lacking.
As as result, staffers representing 40-plus organizations have been meeting for more than a year about how to work together seamlessly. Those talks have been bolstered by about $5 million from area philanthropists, and officials now hope that children and young adults can knock on the door of any involved group and immediately be connected to the aid they need, regardless of where it’s located.
“We are all one,” said Tonya Torosian, CEO of Promises2Kids, one of the nonprofits leading the effort. “That is gonna really transform the experience for youth.”
The money was given by the Lucky Duck, Prebys and David C. Copley foundations. A Lucky Duck spokesperson said around $1 million is going toward helping participants pay rent. Much of that work will be overseen by the nonprofit Urban Street Angels, which has deals with apartment complexes throughout the region that can take in former foster youths.
Half-a-million dollars should expand an existing job training program. Another $500,000 is reserved for mentorship initiatives. Friends of the Children, a national nonprofit that’s new to San Diego, is to offer mentoring to kids as young as kindergartners.
About $1.9 million will be used to hire more than 20 staffers and interns who are able to help participants find housing, jobs and other support. Some of the remaining money can cover everything from emergency expenses to staff training.
Leaders believe the funding will aid more than 500 people over the next two years.
“This is one of the largest, most intentional and collaborative youth homeless prevention efforts in our region’s history,” said Drew Moser, Lucky Duck’s executive director.
Other service organizations co-leading the initiative include Just In Time For Foster Youth, Center for Positive Change, Varsity Team and the Youth Assistance Coalition, which hosted this month’s news conference where Ethier, the 23-year-old, shared her experience.
Proponents are still looking for donors and volunteers. More information can be found at www.luckyduckfoundation.org/unitedforyouth.