CONTACTS:

Eric Lovett
Executive Director
(858) 444-0848
M.G. Perez
Media Coordinator
(619) 261-1200
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
November 22, 2016

San Diego County's only Emergency Shelter for Homeless Youth

Reopens in time for Thanksgiving

Urban Street Angels Homeless Youth Shelter Reopens

TUESDAY NOVEMBER 22, 2016
6 p.m.
SAN DIEGO, CA After suspending operations in late October to address funding concerns,
the only emergency shelter for homeless youth in San Diego County will reopen Tuesday
November 22, 2016 at 6 p.m. Urban Street Angels, the non-profit organization that provides a
continuum of care to the area's homeless community, operates the shelter in rented space at
Mission Gathering Christian Church in North Park. Once a week on Tuesdays, youth from 17-25
years old receive shelter overnight from 6 p.m. until 9 a.m. Wednesday. Services include warm
meals, minor medical help, hair cuts, showers and computer access for employment
opportunities. "We are reaching a marginalized population of homeless", says Urban Street
Angels Executive Director Eric Lovett. He reports that," young people 17 to 25 years old are last
in line at traditional shelters where women, children and the elderly are given priority for very
limited bed space." As a result, more than 3,000 young people sleep on the streets of San Diego
every night. According to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, nationally
5,000 young people die every year because of assault, illness, or suicide while on the street.

Two anonymous donors stepped up recently so that the youth shelter could meet its
$1,500 monthly rent and utilities. It is only a temporary solution. Urban Street Angels is working
with the County in order to find long term funding. Two other local churches are interested in
working with Mission Gathering Christian Church in order to offer more shelter services during
the week. Donations are needed to help keep the homeless youth shelter operating. Financial
donations can be made at www.urbanstreetangels.org or clothing donations, particularly socks,
can be dropped off at the Tuesday night shelter.
Volunteers will be preparing the shelter on Tuesday afternoon and available for
interviews. There will also be some homeless youth who have given permission to be
interviewed. Mission Gathering Christian Church is located at 3090 Polk Ave, San Diego,
CA 92104.
Urban Street Angels is a volunteer-driven non-profit organization committed to feeding
homeless individuals 4-6 times each month, supplying basic necessities and supportive services
(including referrals to medical care, transitional employment and housing resources, and other
providers of social services). Most importantly, Urban Street Angels strives to build trust and
safe relationships with these young homeless individuals to facilitate their transition off the
streets.
DATE: November 22, 2016
TIME: 6:00 pm (Tuesday) -9:00 am (Wednesday)
LOCATION: Mission Gathering Christian Church is located at 3090 Polk Ave, San Diego, CA
92104. For specific media interest and requests please contact M.G. Perez

Urban Street Angels, Inc, is a qualified 501(c) 3 non-profit organization.

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