Extended Hours Offer Overnight Options to Youth

Today, the City of Sacramento, in partnership with Wind Youth Services, announced the expansion of Wind Youth Services’ operational hours to accommodate overnight options for unhoused youth.

“Our transitional age youth are some of our most vulnerable populations,” said Mayor Darrell Steinberg. “It breaks my heart to hear what these young people deal with on a daily basis. I’m thankful to our community partners and city staff for ensuring the good work Wind Youth Services is already doing can be extended to provide unhoused youth with a safe place to spend the night and access resources.”

This is the fifth shelter that has been opened in the last two months through coordinated City and County efforts to augment emergency shelter options for people suffering homelessness in Sacramento communities. The City and County, their leaders, and regional partners have been actively pursuing ways to prevent and end homelessness by committing significant resources in a variety of investments.

Through this new partnership, Wind Youth Services was able to extend its hours of operation to provide overnight accommodation for youth they are already serving with daytime resources beginning at the end of last week.

“We’re thrilled to be partnering with the City to offer a place where our community’s unhoused youth can find shelter on these cold and rainy nights,” says Suzi Dotson, Executive Director of Wind Youth Services. “We’ve been wanting to offer this to our youth for a long time, since they can’t always stay in the adult warming centers, so it’s great to see it finally happening!”

Labor groups in the region stepped in to provide $10,000 to help cover the additional costs of keeping the center open overnight.

“When we first heard about the City of Sacramento’s push to expand the shelter program we felt it was an obligation for us to step in and put our money where our mouth is,” said Fran McDermott, Executive Director for the National Electric Contractors Association, Greater Sacramento Chapter. “We wanted to show our commitment to the City after such a great partnership with them over the years and understand the need for good partners in the community to ensure our most vulnerable are being taking care of.”

Bob Ward, Business Manager for IBEW Local 340 added: “It was common sense for us and our brothers and sisters. We make our money building housing and want to find ways to ensure those that need housing the most can get out of the elements. It felt like our duty to step up and do anything we could to help these youths.”

Previously opened shelters include:

The City’s Weather Refuge Center at Southside Park (2107 6th Street) remains available from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. when temperatures are forecast below 40 degrees or during persistently rainy evenings. 211 Sacramento updates this page with nights it is open.

The winter refuge center located at 904 11th Street is still currently operating every night from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. and is staffed by Volunteers of America. The City provides a heated indoor space with blankets, water and snacks.

Stanford Settlement was opened to provide spaces for up to 25 people during cold and wet weather for the balance of the winter through a coordinated effort launched by Sacramento County, Sacramento City, the Association of Realtors, and the United Public Employees (UPE).

Volunteers of America provides staffing, transportation and food, with the County providing water, blankets and security.

El Hogar was similarly opened to provide spaces for up to 46 people during cold and wet weather. It is operated by the Salvation Army.

The City has a page on its website with a link of all emergency services.

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About Us

Through our programs and services, Wind Youth Services provides homeless and at-risk youth between the ages of 12 and 24 with basic safety net and survival services and a safe place to stay.

Our Mission

Wind Youth Services provides supportive services and opportunities to youth experiencing homelessness as they pursue self-determined lives of stability and independence.

Contact Us
24-Hour Shelter Line: (916) 628-1492
Admin or Donations: (916) 504-3313