Building Bright Futures
Youth and Family Services is proud to announce our 23rd annual Reaching For Stars event which will be held on April 26 at the Cabrillo Pavilion as well as an online auction. Reaching for Stars is a unique fundraising event which is an intimate evening of impressive cuisine, prepared by local star chefs, and fine wines. Our annual fundraiser comes at a time when youth throughout Santa Barbara County are counting on us more than ever before. There are several ways to join this effort. Visit our silent auction, become a sponsor, consider volunteering, or make a donation. Together we can help youth and families reach for the stars! Sponsorships needed.
Guest Speaker: Lisa Conn-Akoni, MA, MFT
Lisa Conn-Akoni, MA., MFT is a Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist with 25+ years of experience in the behavioral health field working with historically underserved/marginalized youth & their families in Santa Barbara County. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Sociology at the University of California Santa Cruz and her master’s degree in Clinical Psychology from Antioch University Santa Barbara. Her academic training and expertise are in Clinical Psychology with specializations in Crisis Intervention & Assessment, Trauma, Childhood/Adolescent/Young Adult Sexual Abuse, Personality Disorders, Positive Youth Development, Runaway & Homeless Youth, Juvenile Justice & Child Welfare Involved Youth, Attachment Disorders, Commercial Sexual Exploitation, and Trauma Focused Child/TAY Sex Trafficking Program Development and Training. Her primary passion is developing innovative biopsychosocial trauma sensitive approaches, which focus on youth centric stabilization, empowerment, connection, pro-social opportunities, resiliency, recovery, and reintegration.
Lisa is the Clinical Supervisor & Program Developer with CIYMCA’s Noah's Anchorage; an emergency shelter & drop-in center for youth experiencing trauma, homelessness, housing instability, high family conflict, behavioral health issues, education/social challenges, and/or sexual exploitation/human trafficking. In addition, she extends intensive supports for CIYMCA’s Youth Care Workers through training, education, and robust clinical supervision/consultation.
Milo's Story
Milo shares his personal story, from navigating youth homelessness to working for the very programs that once supported him during his time of need.
Maria's Story
Maria found a safe place to learn and grow at the St. George Youth Center. Learn more about her story as she prepares for college in the fall.
Testimonials from My Home
My Home provides services to youth 18-24 experiencing or who are at risk for homelessness. YMCA staff working on housing solutions and counseling to build a path to independence.
“I was in an extremely sad situation for 6 months and think the My Home Program saved my life helping me get back to stability when I was unable to care for myself. The program helped me when I didn’t have a job and supported me while I found a job helping me to budget the income I had without over drafting. This gave me security I have never felt, I was able to start a savings account and actually save money for my goals. The help allowed me to not only sustain, but to be motivated and actually appreciative of the help I was receiving.”
- Female, 22 years old
“I had been part of other service programs for months with no results. I got the referral from my brother to come to My Home and talk to Kaylie and within only a couple months she helped me get a place of my own, helped me refinish and fix up furniture, and really went above and beyond to make the place I was living feel like home. It makes sense the program is called My Home because now I really do have my own home.”
- Female, 23 years old
Testimonials from Noah's
Noah’s Anchorage provides short-term emergency shelter and drop in services to youth 12-17 years old who are homeless, at risk of homelessness, have run away, or are in an unsafe situation.
“I like how peaceful Noah’s is. I enjoy getting away from my family every now and then. I like that I can express myself freely. I am able to use Noah’s for tutoring, counseling, homework help or support if I am not able to be at my home or need time to chill out. I feel like I can always come to Noah’s and this will always be here for me and the community I live in. The environment is so safe. I enjoy that there is always someone here to talk to. This is like a break from everything.”
“Noah’s gives me a lot of closure I’ve never had. I’m able to express myself like I’ve never been able to, most specifically being Trans. It’s a safe place where I don’t get bullied. It’s nice that the staff really want to help us. It’s nice because it’s like a home. When I heard that this was a crisis center I thought of a big facility, when I came I realized it’s very homey (even down to the chores we have to do). I love that NA is supportive of LGBTQ rights and hooked my up with a lot of resources.”
- Trans Male, 15 years old
We hope you enjoyed exploring all of the wonderful stories from YFS. Thank you to everyone who joined us on April 26 at the Cabrillo Pavilion for an evening of epicurean delights. All proceeds from the event and auction support local underserved youth.
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