Daybreak Celebrates its 30th Anniversary!

Daybreak is a housing and independent living skills training program for homeless youth ages 16-21. Daybreak provides homeless youth the skills and resources they need to live on their own.

Established by Assemblyman Rich Gordon, Carol Welsh Gray, and the Junior League of Palo Alto/Mid-Peninsula, Daybreak was the first program in the nation for homeless youth outside of a large urban area. For 30 years, Daybreak has helped generations of homeless youth make a successful transition from homelessness into healthy, positive living environments, permanent housing, and self-sufficiency. In addition to providing shelter for youth, it is the “beyond the bed” services, averaging 6 months, that make Daybreak truly unique.

Our Daybreak program facility is in Redwood City, CA, and provides its residential clients training in areas including obtaining and maintaining employment, personal health and self-care, locating and renting housing, and pursuing educational opportunities. Residents are required to attend school and work.

Despite the challenges Daybreak has endured this year (especially in light of the coronavirus), the program still provided shelter to 22 youth, exceeding its goal of serving 20 youth. On average, youth stay for approximately 6 months. Additionally, of the youth who stayed for more than 30 days, 73% transitioned to a positive placement, 80% were either enrolled in school or had their GEDs, and 100% were referred to appropriate substance abuse treatment providers (if needed).

Though all 7 youth housed at Daybreak during the pandemic lost their jobs, 3 have since found employment, and the program continues to support the other 4 residents towards employment goals.

We are grateful to our wonderful funders, donors, and supporters of Daybreak. Thank you for supporting our program and its services for the community.