Youth Assistance Coalition

What Youth Assistance Coalition does

Youth Assistance Coalition (YAC) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization (EIN 27-2451575) founded in 2017 in San Diego, California by Heather Lezon and a group of co-founders including Kade Goldin, MSW, to address youth homelessness in the San Diego region. The organization delivers direct social services to youth experiencing homelessness through three primary channels: recurring evening street outreach conducted 3-5 times per week (Monday-Thursday at 5:30 PM), a Drop-In Center operating Sunday through Friday from 5:00 PM, and structured mentoring, education, and employment support programs. Its service portfolio spans immediate-needs provision (meals, food bags, clothing, hygiene items, ID cards, birth certificates), mid-term support (housing and shelter referrals, health services, counseling, bus passes), and longer-term capability building (job training, GED and tutoring, college enrollment, legal aid, substance abuse services, and pregnancy or parenting support). In 2023, the organization distributed 11,665 outreach bags, while the 2024 Point In Time Count identified 897 youth experiencing homelessness in San Diego on any given night.

YAC operates on a donations-only revenue model, accepting tax-deductible contributions from individuals, corporations, and community members through PayPal, check, and the Amazon Smile program; no service fees are charged to beneficiaries. The organization is predominantly volunteer-run, with a leadership team spanning Executive Director, Founder and Board Member Heather Lezon, Board President George Lezon (also EVP at IXS Coatings), Vice President Michael W. Early (VP of Construction at Event Network LLC), Director of Programs Melody Vazquez (MSW), Outreach Director Noah Alem, Community Engagement Director Kade Goldin (MSW), Drop-In Center Director Amber Korody, Volunteer Director Shirin Mara, Education and Employment Specialist Rebecca Mitchell, and Grant Team Consultant Cat Mineo, supported by a Board of Directors that includes professionals from DPR Construction, SAIC, the San Diego Superior Court, and the California Bar. There is no proprietary technology platform; service delivery is human-powered through volunteer engagement.

Its go-to-market is community-led, relying on a coalition of 24+ partner organizations for referrals and collaborative service delivery, including Alpha Project, San Diego Youth Services, Monarch School, Urban Street Angels, Dreams for Change, Family Health Centers of San Diego, the San Diego Unified School District, San Diego Community College District, McAlister Institute, San Diego Rescue Mission, Interfaith Shelter Network, The LGBT Center, Second Chance, The YMCA, Home of Hope, TAY Academy, Doors of Change, Care Community Center, 8 WEST, KickStart, Neighborhood House Association, South Bay Community Services, ProPhound Kids Inc, Chef Angels, and Oasis Clubhouse. Marketing channels are organic and low-cost: a WordPress website (yacsd.org), Facebook and Instagram profiles, email newsletters, VolunteerMatch listings, and the Amazon Smile program. Geographic scope is limited to San Diego, California, and revenue is not publicly disclosed.

Name

Youth Assistance Coalition

Legal name

Youth Assistance Coalition

Website

https://yacsd.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2017

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Youth Assistance Coalition is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2017 in San Diego that supports youth experiencing homelessness through street outreach, a Drop-In Center, mentoring, education assistance, and a coalition of 24+ partner organizations.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Youth Homelessness Social Services

NAICS

Individual and Family Services (6241), Child and Youth Services (62411), Child and Youth Services (624110), Educational Support Services (611710)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Housing Assistance & Homeless Services (BPAGAEAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Youth Mentoring & Positive Youth Development Nonprofits (BPAGADAD), Youth Housing, Foster Care & Wraparound Support (Education-Linked) Nonprofits (BPAGADAO), Homeless, Foster Care & Highly Mobile Youth Education Services (EDAJAEAG), Youth & Young Adult Workforce Programs (Out-of-School Youth) (EDAAAOAD)

Keywords

• Youth homelessness services
• Street outreach programs
• Mentorship and empowerment
• Drop-in center support
• Education and job training

Headquarters

HQ city

San Diego

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations: Tax-deductible donations from individuals, corporations, and community members. Accepts monetary donations via PayPal and check mailing. EIN: 27-2451575.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Youth Assistance Coalition is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that provides direct social services to youth experiencing homelessness in San Diego, including street outreach, meals and food bags (11,665 distributed in 2023), assistance obtaining ID cards and birth certificates, clothing, bedding, housing/shelter referrals, health services, bus passes, counseling, job training, pregnancy/parenting support, legal aid, substance abuse services, and education assistance including GED preparation, tutoring, and college enrollment. Services are delivered free of charge through a Drop-In Center, recurring street outreach, and a structured mentoring program with mandatory mentor training.

Product overview

Youth Assistance Coalition is a single-service non-profit organization offering a coordinated suite of direct social services for youth experiencing homelessness in San Diego. The organization operates through street outreach teams (3-5 times weekly), a drop-in center, mentoring programs, and educational/employment support services. All programs are delivered through community partnerships and volunteer engagement rather than a technology product.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Street Outreach Program Volunteer-conducted street outreach that engages youth experiencing homelessness in San Diego 3-5 times per week, distributing outreach bags of nonperishable food and hygiene items and connecting youth to services.
• Drop-In Center Drop-in facility operating Sunday-Friday from 5:00 PM where youth experiencing homelessness can access meals, donated items such as clothing and hygiene supplies, and connect with staff and volunteers.
• Empowerment and Mentorship Program Evidence-based mentoring program serving youth experiencing homelessness, including transitional-aged youth (TAY), featuring mandatory mentor training and research-informed matching strategies to support individualized development goals.
• Education and Employment Support Services Education assistance including GED preparation, high school diploma support, tutoring, and college enrollment, coupled with job training and placement support to help youth achieve self-sufficiency.
• Housing and Referral Coordination Coordinated referrals to a network of 24+ partner organizations (including Alpha Project, Home of Hope, San Diego Rescue Mission, Interfaith Shelter Network, and others) for housing, shelter, health services, counseling, legal aid, and substance abuse recovery services.

Quantifiable outcome

• Distributed 11,665 outreach bags in 2023
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

25 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• 8 WESTcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization collaborating with YAC to address youth homelessness in San Diego through community-based approaches.
• Alpha ProjectcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization providing services to homeless individuals in San Diego, collaborating with YAC on outreach and referrals.
• Care Community CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity health and social services provider partnering with YAC for comprehensive youth support.
• Urban Street AngelscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNon-profit providing services to homeless youth, collaborating with YAC on outreach efforts.
• Dreams for ChangecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWorkforce development organization partnering with YAC to provide job training and employment services.
• Home of HopecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSober living facility collaborating with YAC for substance abuse recovery support and housing referrals.
• Monarch SchoolcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSchool serving students experiencing homelessness, partnering with YAC for education support and resources.
• Oasis ClubhousecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerYouth center providing services and support, collaborating with YAC on youth engagement.
• San Diego Unified School DistrictcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEducational partnership supporting homeless students with tutoring, educational resources, and school enrollment assistance.
• San Diego Youth ServicescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor youth services organization providing comprehensive support, working closely with YAC on outreach and referrals.
• TAY AcademycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTransitional Age Youth Academy providing educational services, partnering with YAC for student support.
• Doors of ChangecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOrganization serving homeless and foster youth, collaborating with YAC on comprehensive support services.
• Family Health Centers of San DiegocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFederally Qualified Health Center providing healthcare services to underserved populations, partnering with YAC for youth health support.
• Interfaith Shelter NetworkcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNetwork of faith-based organizations providing shelter services, collaborating with YAC for housing referrals.
• KickStartcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHousing development organization, also operating Oasis Clubhouse, partnering with YAC for youth services.
• The LGBT CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLGBT community center providing support services, collaborating with YAC for LGBTQ+ youth experiencing homelessness.
• McAlister InstitutecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSubstance abuse treatment provider partnering with YAC for detox, counseling, and recovery housing referrals.
• Neighborhood House AssociationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity services organization providing support to families and youth, collaborating with YAC.
• San Diego Community College DistrictcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEducational institution partnership supporting YAC youth with college enrollment, financial aid, and continuing education.
• San Diego Rescue MissioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHomeless services organization providing shelter and recovery services, working with YAC on referrals.
• Second ChancecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRe-entry services organization helping individuals rebuild lives, partnering with YAC for youth support.
• The YMCAcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerYouth development organization providing programs and services, collaborating with YAC on community support.
• South Bay Community ServicescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity services provider in South Bay region, partnering with YAC for youth outreach and support.
• ProPhound Kids IncminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOrganization supporting children and families, collaborating with YAC on youth services.
• Chef AngelsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOrganization providing meals to homeless individuals, partnering with YAC for food services.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Alpha Project: San Diego-based nonprofit providing housing, shelter, and supportive services to homeless individuals including youth. Comparable in homeless services model and geography; current YAC partner.
• San Diego Youth Services: The largest youth services organization in San Diego, providing shelter, counseling, case management, and education support to at-risk and homeless youth. A direct peer and current YAC partner; YAC's smaller-scale coalition model competes for the same youth population and funding.
• My Friend's Place: Los Angeles nonprofit offering comprehensive services (drop-in, housing, education, health) to homeless youth. Closely comparable in drop-in-center model, age range, and service breadth.
• StandUp for Kids: National volunteer-driven nonprofit serving homeless and at-risk youth through outreach, mentoring, and housing support. Comparable in volunteer-heavy operating model and street outreach approach.
• Larkin Street Youth Services: San Francisco-based nonprofit providing housing, education, and employment services to youth experiencing homelessness. A leading national model for the continuum-of-care approach YAC uses; useful comparable for program and funding model.
• Monarch School: San Diego school serving students impacted by homelessness, with on-site wraparound services (housing, health, parent support). Directly comparable in target population and wraparound approach; current YAC partner.
• Covenant House California: National nonprofit operating shelter and supportive housing for youth experiencing homelessness, with locations in California including San Diego. Closely comparable mission, services, and youth-homeless focus.
• Urban Street Angels: San Diego nonprofit providing outreach, shelter, and support services to homeless youth. Direct local peer; current YAC partner with overlapping street outreach and youth engagement work.
• Doors of Change: San Diego nonprofit serving homeless and foster youth with shelter, drop-in services, and case management. Direct local peer and current YAC partner; competing for the same youth population and donor base.

Broad incumbents

• National Network for Youth: National membership and advocacy organization for youth services and runaway/homeless youth programs. Useful comparable for understanding the policy and funding landscape YAC operates within, though not a direct service provider.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/yacsd.org
• Instagraminstagram.com/youthassistancecoalitionsd
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/youth-assistance-coalition

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles15 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Youth Assistance Coalition