Mission
Social Advocates for Youth provides support, opportunities and hope to children, youth and families. We are dedicated to creating and supporting a caring community where all children, youth and families grow, thrive and succeed.
History
SAY was founded in 1971 in Sonoma County, California in a two-room office located in downtown Santa Rosa. We began offering individual and family counseling to at-risk children, youth, and families in response to community leaders and youth advocates who were concerned about the lack of child abuse prevention and intervention services available.
Today, SAY offers crisis, counseling, and community programs throughout Sonoma County. We serve diverse at-risk and high-needs populations through age 25, including children who have been physically, sexually or emotionally abused or who are at risk of abuse, runaway and homeless youth, transitional age youth (former foster youth and homeless young adults), youth at risk of gang involvement, young parents, youth seeking guidance in finding jobs and completing their education, and youth who may be struggling in their transition from teen to young adulthood.
Agency Timeline
- The SAY counseling office was located on E Street (across from the library) and offered short-term outpatient counseling.
- SAY’s Cherry Street House was a twelve bed residential treatment center open to youth on probation and dependents of the court.
- Alan Strachan was SAY’s first Executive Director.
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