Youth Services Bureau (YSB) shelter programs provide the only services in San Joaquin County
designed specifically to meet the needs of homeless youth.
Safe House Emergency Shelter
The Safe House Emergency Shelter Program opened in 1991 with funding from the federal Department of Health and Human Services, Family and Youth Services Bureau. Local funding is received from the San Joaquin County Departments of Probation and Mental Health.
Safe House offers emergency shelter to up to 6 youth at a time for up to 21 days. The program serves youth ages 12-17 by meeting their immediate needs for shelter, food, clothing, counseling, referrals and aftercare. The primary goal of the emergency shelter program is family reunification. Each year about 80% of Safe House clients achieve a stable living environment—63% are reunified with their families.
YOUTH who are homeless or thinking about leaving home: Call the Safe House Hotline at 800.769.HELP for more information.
Opportunity House Transitional Living Program
The Opportunity House Transitional Living Program was opened in 1996 with funds from the federal Department of Health and Human Services, Family and Youth Services Bureau. The program receives local support from the SJC Departments of Probation and Mental Health.
Opportunity House provides transitional living services in a family living-style setting. The program accepts up to eight youth, including emancipated youth who are 16-17 years old and youth from 18 to 20. The program welcomes youth who are parents of infants and toddlers and several small children are generally in residence along with the youth.
Youth at Opportunity House are offered "live-in" services that include individual assessment, counseling, prevention/education activities and information, referral services, crisis intervention and follow-up support. Staff members are available twenty-four hours a day for guidance, counseling, training or other assistance. The average length of stay is nine months and the maximum stay is 21 months. Youth from all backgrounds who meet the criteria for the TLP program are encouraged to apply for enrollment. Support services include basic life skills, interpersonal skill building, parenting skills, educational advancement, job preparation and attainment, mental health care and physical health care. Youth at Opportunity House are working toward long-term independence.
