Since its inception in 2001, Doors of Change (formerly known as Photocharity), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, has helped place over 2,500 San Diego homeless youth ages 17-25 in long-term safe housing. Four times per week our outreach workers comb the streets looking for homeless youth. They place posters in many areas listing the services we offer for homeless youth. When a homeless youth is found or sees our poster and calls for help, our case managers immediately begin to build a trusting relationship and connect them with the resources they need. Among the services we provide are helping them get ID documents, medical insurance, mental health referrals, domestic violence referrals, and housing. Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic we have seen a sharp increase in the number of homeless youth needing our assistance. Our housing referrals increased from 83 in 2020 to 161 in 2021 to 287 in 2022. Doors of Change has a wide range of public and private support, with 50% of its funding coming from private donors and fundraising events. The remainder of our funding comes from foundations and County grants. Since 2001 Doors of Change has raised nearly $6 million. Our primary fundraising events are music concerts featuring well-known headliners such as B.B. King, Three Dog Night, Los Lobos, Charlie Musselwhite, and Tommy Castro. Former homeless youth and Doors of Change leadership speak at these events to help raise awareness about the homeless youth issue, resulting in new donors. The music industry in general has been especially generous in helping Doors of Change get homeless youth off the streets. Many musical celebrities have donated signed memorabilia that we have auctioned to raise $868,000. Contributing artists include Billy Joel, Elton John, The Rolling Stones, Bruce Springsteen, B.B. King, Aretha Franklin, and many others. Please visit www.DoorsOfChange.org and watch the 3-minute video to learn more. You will also find links to volunteer
