Youth Service Bureaus - School Safety Advocates

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A nonprofit fundraiser supporting

Ymca of San Francisco
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School Safety Advocates - keeping students safe and healthy in San Mateo schools.

$550

raised by 12 people

$5,000 goal

David, a high school student, posted a picture on Instagram of his English teacher with the words, "I'll show her what happens when you put me in detention." His friend Keana saw the posting and instead of brushing it off and keeping it a secret, she knew what to do.  The next morning, she showed the post to the School Safety Advocate at her high school and shared that David had been upset and moody lately.  The School Safety Advocate acted immediately and invited David into her office to talk.  And David did talk - really talked - for the first time, because the School Safety Advocate made David feel safe and made it clear that someone wanted to listen to him. By giving him a safe space in which to talk, the School Safety Advocate was able to lessen David's anger and potential for acting out in violence. Following their meeting, the School Safety Advocate connected David to weekly counseling with a therapist outside of school and continues to check in with him on a weekly basis on campus to make sure David is safe and well.

Being a teenager today is complicated, with emotional and behavioral issues that can effect students' ablity to focus and succeed in school. But thanks to donors like you, School Safety Advocates from the Youth Service Bureaus of the YMCA are on campuses throughout San Mateo County to help students address their issues and seek support instead of spiraling down and feeling alone with their worries and fears.

SSAs are go-to mental health professionals and supportive adults for students to talk to about relationships, family conflicts, crises, and school anxiety that get in
the way of academic success and healthy development. They are Marriage and Family Therapists and Social Workers who assess students for safety risks, depression, suicidal ideation, undiagnosed mental illness, and substance use.

This school year, SSAs will work with over 2,000 students in seven high schools and eight middle schools; conduct 500 safety and suicide assessments, prevent fights, bullying, and potential violence against self and others; and connect students to therapy and family support. 

Please join us and our partners at the San Mateo Union High School District and school districts in San Mateo/Foster City, San Bruno, South San Francisco, Daly City and Pacifica by making a donation on SVG Day!

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