SAY San Diego (Social Advocates for Youth)

For 10 years, SAY San Diego’s Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) program has helped adults on probation build brighter futures through positive decision-making and lifestyle changes. This year, we expanded support to include financial assistance, legal help, and career connections—changing lives in powerful ways! With support from SAY’s Bridges to Success fund, recent CBT graduate Eric turned his reentry journey into a success story—transitioning from incarceration to job training and launching his own Mexican-inspired street food business. We are proud to support second chances and new beginnings! Explore the full 2024 Annual Report. https://lnkd.in/gEKHmGNP?

SAY San Diego's ATOD Prevention Team members, Cassidy Fonzi, Meesh Mori, Grace Nakashima, Eiliana Miramontes, and Tyler Linvill, traveled to Washington DC in early February 2025 to participate in CADCA (Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America)'s National Forum. At the event, the group was recognized for their completion of CADCA's National Coalition Academy (NCA). In addition, the team participated in Capitol Hill Day by meeting with US Congressmember Juan Vargas' staff and receiving a tour of the US Capitol! The group enjoyed the opportunity to reconnect with some of their cohort members from the NCA and learn from other coalitions performing similar prevention work across the nation.

Happy International Women’s Day! Let’s celebrate the strength, resilience, and achievements of women everywhere! We recognize the incredible contributions of women in our communities and reaffirm our commitment to equality, empowerment, and opportunity for all. May we all strive to uplift and support women and families through programs that foster growth, well-being, and success. Together, we can continue to build a more inclusive and equitable future.

No student should face anxiety alone. We're here to guide them! This year, we expanded our school-based mental health services to 26 sites, empowering 300 students to overcome obstacles. Like Nico, who went from chronic school absences to excited mornings, students right here in our community are rewriting their stories. Learn more about this initiative and more in our 2024 Annual Report: https://lnkd.in/gEKHmGNP?

SAY San Diego is excited to celebrate the Year of the Snake with a special highlight—Our new CEO, Louie Nguyen, CFA, spoke at the San Diego City Council’s Lunar New Year proclamation! It was an incredible honor for him to represent SAY San Diego at such a significant event, embracing the cultural richness and joy of the Lunar New Year. Watch the video of Louie’s speech and join us in celebrating this moment! https://lnkd.in/g--CksKQ?

Right here in our community, children are finding the support they need, parents are accessing vital resources, and teens have a safe space to grow and thrive. With teams embedded in 43 schools, SAY San Diego provides guidance, stability, and hope for over 30,000 San Diegans every year. But we can’t do it alone. Your support keeps us in schools, ensuring students and families get the help they need when they need it. Together, we create stronger schools, stronger families, and a stronger San Diego. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/g2_QVFeH?

Parenting can be an incredible journey, but it's even better when you have a supportive community. This year, SAY San Diego hosted retreats for single fathers, foster parents, and kinship caregivers, providing a space to connect, share experiences, and learn valuable skills. We believe in the power of peer support, and we're so proud of the connections made at our Project KEEP retreat, where 100% of attendees reported feeling more connected to other caregivers. Learn more in our annual report: https://lnkd.in/gEKHmGNP?

Reading opens doors to a world of possibilities! This year, SAY San Diego's literacy program nurtured a love of reading for over 130 children and their families. With support from partners like the Dr. Seuss Foundation at San Diego Foundation, San Diego Unified School District, and Words Alive!, we're building brighter futures, one book at a time. Learn more about the incredible impact you're making possible in our 2024 Annual Report: https://lnkd.in/gEKHmGNP?

In 2024, SAY San Diego provided before & after school care, preschool, and early childcare programs to over 4,000 youth—a 30% increase from the previous year! As a leader in childcare solutions, we joined forces with UC San Diego and the YMCA of the USA to launch the BEACON Project, expanding access to affordable, high-quality childcare in our region. This advocacy work also led to SAY developing a business case for the Center for Military Families, which is projected to serve 100+ children in Murphy Canyon! These are just a few of the milestones we reached last year! Check out our 2024 Annual Report to see the full impact: https://lnkd.in/gEKHmGNP?

Cigarette butts are the number one most littered item worldwide, and they're polluting our beautiful Mission Bay. This waste leaches harmful chemicals and breaks down into microplastics, impacting the health of our ecosystem. SAY San Diego, in partnership with San Diego State University, is conducting critical research to understand the extent of this problem. But we can't do it alone! We need your help. Volunteer to "adopt a block" in Pacific Beach, collect cigarette litter, and contribute to this important study. Learn more about the project and sign up to volunteer: https://lnkd.in/gT6hwV_4?