Home Start hosts our Blue Ribbon fundraising event every April in recognition of National Child Abuse Prevention Month. As a nonprofit organization, this event is an essential part of our efforts to help strengthen families in order to protect children.
Last year, San Diego County Health and Human Services reported 38,653 abuse or neglect calls to the HHSA Hotline, representing 68,964 children.
Unlike many other regions, these events were not centralized in any one area, but broadly spread from North County to the southern border and eastern cities.
In an effort to reduce these numbers and encourage healthy child development in our communities, Home Start works year-round to address many of the key underlying issues.
San Diego’s homeless population is the fourth largest in the U.S.
The high cost of housing makes it incredibly difficult to afford, especially for a young, single mother with low income who has to consider the costs of childcare as well.
Home Start’s Maternity Housing Program allows mothers who’ve faced homelessness due to fleeing an abusive situation or a lack of family support find a safe place to raise their children. Our furnished apartments not only provide a roof, but also access to on-site resources such as counseling, child care, financial coaching, and assistance in securing employment.
12% of San Diego’s homeless population are youths under the age of 24.
Home Start’s Host Homes Program, is a community and volunteer-based response to youth homelessness. The hosts who participate in this program are adults who open their homes to youth who are looking for short-term resources and support. While living in a host home, Home Start provides individualized support to work toward stabilization and self-determination for the young person.
All of Home Start’s services are offered to San Diegans free of charge. Your support makes this possible and we’re hoping you’ll join us on May 8th for our Blue Ribbon Broadcast.
Roughly 1,060 children are involved in San Diego’s Child Welfare Services each month.
And many more are removed from their homes or enter into foster care. Home Start’s Community Services for Families works with parents of children in these situations to provide the education and resources they need to return their children safely. Case Managers work directly with parents to ensure they have an understanding of what went wrong, why, and how to move forward in the best interest of the child or children.
73% of reported child abuse cases in San Diego County happened to children under the age of fourteen as reported by HHSA in the 2019-2020 fiscal year.
Traumatic childhood events can alter the brain’s physical stress response, affecting such things as attention, impulsive behavior, decision-making, learning, emotional regulation, and responses to stress in the future. Home Start’s Behavioral Health Services offer individualized therapeutic services to children throughout San Diego. Home Start therapists are trained in several of the latest practices in helping children cope with and heal from the impact of trauma.
“For 49 years, Home Start has been committed to helping San Diego’s children and families rise above their barriers and become healthy, happy, and productive contributors to our community.”
Laura Tancredi Baese, Home Start CEO
With community support, Home Start was able to serve 15,743 San Diegans during our 2020 fiscal year.
And we are already working towards assisting even more families throughout 2021. As a nonprofit organization we rely on the generosity of local businesses, foundations, and individuals to help fund these programs.
On May 8th, we’ll be hosting our annual Blue Ribbon fundraising event online – Home Start’s Blue Ribbon Broadcast. It will be an extra fun way to make a difference for the children in our city.
Each ticket comes with take-out dinner and a kit full of interactive surprises to enjoy throughout the online event. There will be some incredible auction items up for grabs from local retailers and get ready for some TV Trivia to keep you on your toes. Plus lots of other surprises – so stay tuned!
Visit blueribbonbroadcast.com to order your tickets today.
Together, we can strengthen families and protect children in San Diego.