Krysta Esquivel and David Baker
On this episode of ‘Homeless in San Diego: Real People, Real Stories,’ host Greg Anglea, CEO of Interfaith Community Services, is joined by Executive Director Krysta Esquivel and David Baker of YMCA Youth & Family Services (YFS). David shares his personal journey, coming from “a background of dysfunction,” and experiencing homelessness at a young age. “I would say I never really had a home,” said David, until he found YMCA YFS. Krysta discusses the goals of the organization around social responsibility and helping vulnerable youth and families. David is a living example of how the cycle can be broken; not only is he no longer homeless, but he is now an employee at YMCA YFS, helping those who are in the shoes he once was; and he wants all youth experiencing homelessness to know: you are not a lost cause.
Calls to Action:
Understand that there is a fundamental difference between homeless youth and homeless adults, and therefore, we must implement different interventions.
Interact with your local policy-makers. Let them know that there are people behind this cause.
Visit YMCA Youth & Family Services’ website to learn more about their great programs
View California’s Road Map: Preventing and Ending Youth Homelessness