Emergency/Basic Needs Program

Provides immediate financial support in emergency situations that may include rent money, bus passes, gas cards, interview clothing, and vehicle repair. We also provide youth with grocery gift cards for immediate food relief.

JIT Life Skill Coaches provide guidance with the essential quality of life choices and JIT Asset Advisors work with youth on practical matters. This unique combination of support during a critical juncture in the life of our youth often makes the difference between a catastrophic crisis and a manageable challenge.

Via our collaborating partners such as the San Diego County Department of Education and Human Services Agency, Independent Living Services (ILS), among others. These youth learn that JIT is there for them, should they need help establishing a first home, apartment, or dormitory room. Or if they need emergency assistance with a car repair or a rent payment. Or they just may need a friendly voice on the other end of the line to show caring and support. With the support of Sleep Train, we provide mattresses and beds as a first step in helping our youth "move up."

Impact: In 2007, with the funding from a small grant and the general public, JIT provided Emergency/Basic Needs assistance to 77 former foster youth and kept them off the streets, employed and/or in school. Since that time, we provide Emergency/Basic Needs to more than 300 youth per year.

Brittany
Just in Time was there for me no matter what. They offered to and did help me on many occasions—that’s what I love that about it and the people. They care when it feels like no one else is caring and they have made a huge impact on my life.

Vivian
Just in Time has made an impact on my life because they were there for me when no one else was. When I say no one, I mean family. This was such a big impact on me because a lot of people I know have that family support. So just in time I just want to say thank you and you have made a difference in my life.

Sophia
You are providing help where the system our parents have failed us. The help provided allowed me to feel like a person, gace me a home, and support through my college career. Its the support the average get from family, ours is just through a program. This programs improves the lives of foster youth through supportive services and filliing voids that others over look. Thank You.

Referral: JIT relies on referrals from trusted sources to ensure that the emancipated foster youth have demonstrated their motivation—they are enrolled in school or training programs and are working a significant number of hours per week. We work in partnership with the Casey Family Programs, San Diego Welfare Agency, San Diego Youth and Community Services, and many other organizations and agencies in San Diego.

Processing: The Program Director personally meets the youth, identifies his/her needs, and assists with purchasing the essentials to resolve the immediate financial emergency.

Participation in Other JIT Programs. Youth are given an overview of all JIT programs and commit to participate in the Financial Fitness program and the resources of JIT Champions. We monitor youth progress through formal and informal methods.

Evaluation. Follow-up information is solicited from each youth annually via an online survey.