Fighting Back Santa Maria Valley is a nonprofit organization that provides programs and services for young people experiencing housing instability, while also offering youth mentoring programs.
Santa Barbara County data shows a 22% increase in people between the ages of 18 and 24 experiencing homelessness.
On Friday, Fighting Back Santa Maria Valley held a grand opening for its new Navigation Center, which is designed to help young people in that age group connect with resources and services.
Brenda Herrera, Lead Case Manager with Fighting Back Santa Maria Valley, said they're seeing a growing pattern of young people arriving in the Santa Maria area without a support system.
“What we are starting to see now is a lot of youth coming from larger populated areas like L.A., San Francisco, but actually being dropped off here and having no family or friends for connection,” Herrera said.
Edwin Weaver, Executive Director of Fighting Back Santa Maria Valley, said young people experiencing homelessness can be harder to identify and count.
“They’re harder to count when we do our point-in-time count every year,” Weaver said. “They tend to be sleeping in places that are harder to count, so they may be sleeping on a friend’s couch, or maybe in a spot where people don’t know that they’re there.”
RELATED: Thousands of Santa Barbara County students face housing instability
Weaver said the organization served more than 225 young people last year and helped 75 find housing.
“Last year, we were able to successfully house 75 youths,” Weaver said. “We served over 225 youths, so those that aren’t housed yet, we’re working to get them housing right now.”
For Serena Vasquez, asking for help was not easy. Vasquez said she experienced homelessness following a difficult period in her life and was initially afraid to seek assistance.
“It was really hard for me to reach out because I felt embarrassed asking for help,” Vasquez said. “Walking into the organization was really terrifying. I’ve never done anything like this before.”
Vasquez said the organization helped her find housing and regain stability.
“They really helped me out with housing,” Vasquez said. “They helped me get back on my feet with school. They definitely help you out with rent, with food, shelter as well.”
The new center offers three outreach workers, rapid housing services and access to a therapist. The center also provides a shower and laundry facilities and connects young people with community partners that offer additional support at no cost.
The facility is now open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Herrera also said community members can support the center by donating clothing, toiletries and hygiene products and reaching out through Fighting Back Santa Maria Valley.
