LGBTQ Youth Are Welcome at Our Safe Place
Our Safe Place (OSP) is a certified outpatient behavioral health program that provides a welcoming and supportive environment for LGBTQ+ youth up to age 21, and their families. We offer services free of charge at multiple drop-in locations across San Diego County.
Drop-In Locations & Hours
Our Safe Place operates five drop-in centers across San Diego County, including two run by the YMCA TAY Academy, where youth can access free support services and enjoy a safe space to connect with one another.
TAY Drop-In Center – Escondido
(760) 271-4855
150 La Terraza Blvd. Escondido, CA 92025
Monday to Friday: 1:00pm – 5:00pm
Saturday and Sunday: 4:00pm – 8:00pm
Escondido OSP can also be reached through Instagram! Message us @OurSafePlaceNorth
TAY Drop-In Center – Oceanside
(760) 908-9647
205 Barnes St. Oceanside, CA 92054
Monday, Wednesday, Friday: 12:00pm – 4:00pm
Zoom Drop-In: Tuesday, Thursday: 12:00pm – 4:00pm
what we offer:
During drop-in hours, OSP participants have access to the following services:
- Support groups for youth and family members
- Case management
- Mentorship
- Community outreach
- Training and skill development
- Educational workshops
We also have opportunities for experienced individuals to work as Connection Coaches and Support Specialists!
Behavioral Health Services
Through our collaborative county contract with San Diego Youth Services and South Bay Community Services, we provide behavioral health services, including:
- Individual and group psychotherapy
- Psychiatric services
- Case management for children, adolescents, young adults, and their families and guardians
Annual Camps
We’re proud to announce that YMCA Camp Raintree Ranch hosted an inaugural camp specifically for OSP participants in August 2018! We now host free camps for our LGBTQ+ youth every year. Learn more about how this program came to be by reading Ren’s story.
Support Our Safe Place!
Your support helps us continue providing these vital services to LGBTQ+ youth in our community.
Click the button below to donate—and be sure to write “YFS OSP” in the comment section to ensure your gift supports Our Safe Place directly!
Funded by:
Camp Trailblazers
In August 2018, the YMCA Youth & Family Services, in partnership with the San Diego County Our Safe Place Collaborative, hosted Camp Trailblazers, the first-ever camp dedicated to Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) young adults in San Diego County.
Read this report and discover how this two-day experience built upon the structure of the renowned YMCA overnight camps by building leadership skills and peer support networks among a population of youth that has historically faced social isolation, bullying, and disconnection for their sexual orientation and/or gender identity.
