BOMA Community Service Committee Spotlight: Supporting San Diego Youth Services

The BOMA San Diego Community Service Committee is proud to once again partner with San Diego Youth Services (SDYS) for our annual Essentials Drive, continuing our commitment to supporting young people in our community when they need it most.

Last year, our Essentials Drive supported one of San Diego Youth Services’ long-term housing programs. Thanks to the generosity of BOMA members, we collected more than 350 essential items valued at over $1,500, with the majority of those donations coming from the October luncheon alone.

This year, we hope to make just as meaningful an impact, with our efforts benefiting SDYS’s Storefront Youth Emergency Shelter, a vital resource for minors in San Diego County.

A Safe Place When There Is Nowhere Else to Go

San Diego Youth Services has been serving vulnerable youth and families throughout the region for decades, providing services that address homelessness, housing instability, abuse, exploitation, mental health needs and other challenges young people may face.

The Storefront Youth Emergency Shelter serves youth ages 12 to 17 who do not have a safe place to live, including young people experiencing homelessness, running away from unsafe situations, or facing abuse, neglect or exploitation. In addition to providing a safe place to stay, the program offers case management, assistance with transportation and school enrollment, referrals for medical and mental health care, independent living skills and 24-hour crisis support.

What makes this program especially important is its unique role in our region: Storefront is the only emergency shelter program in San Diego County specifically serving minors experiencing homelessness and related crises. Services are available around the clock, year-round, giving young people ages 12–17 somewhere safe to turn during what may be one of the most difficult moments of their lives.

Our Partnership Goes Beyond Donations

The Community Service Committee’s partnership with San Diego Youth Services is about more than collecting essential items.

This summer, BOMA San Diego had the opportunity to roll up their sleeves during our Summer Work Party at the shelter. Together, volunteers helped refresh the space with new paint, hauled out old furniture, and tackled additional projects designed to make the shelter feel brighter, more welcoming and comfortable for the youth who rely on it.

Spending time at the shelter also gave our committee an even greater appreciation for the importance of the work SDYS does every day. Sometimes community service means donating an item; other times, it means showing up with a paintbrush, moving furniture and giving a space some much-needed care. Both can make a difference.

Getting Ready for the Essentials Drive

Behind the scenes, the Community Service Committee has been busy preparing for the October 13 BOMA luncheon, where this year’s Essentials Drive will officially launch.

The shelter’s current needs are everyday essentials, including basic T-shirts, bottoms, hygiene products, and grocery and Amazon gift cards. These items help the shelter meet immediate needs and give young people access to clean clothing, personal-care products, food and other necessities during their stay.

After seeing what the BOMA community accomplished last year, more than 350 items and $1,500 in support, we know how quickly individual contributions can add up to something much bigger.

As we prepare to launch this year’s drive, we invite BOMA members to once again come together and help us fill the shelves for San Diego Youth Services. Whether it is a T-shirt, a hygiene item, a gift card or several items from the wish list, every contribution helps provide comfort and dignity to a young person who may have arrived at the shelter with very little.

We look forward to kicking off the 2026 Essentials Drive at the October 13 luncheon and seeing what the BOMA San Diego community can accomplish together.

Scan the QR Code below to donate today!

By: Ana Rodriguez

Operations Project Manager

San Diego Self Storage