Learn About SAY

Since 1971, Social Advocates for Youth has had a singular goal:  to provide superlative services to the at risk youth, children, and families of Sonoma County.  Every day SAY demonstrates that well-known theory we all learned in elementary school - the ripple effect.  Each at-risk child, youth, or parent who receives the support, opportunities, and hope SAY offers, in turn demonstrates those opportunities and shares some of that hope with someone else - a brother, a sister, a parent, a friend, aunts, uncles, step-families, grandparents, guardians - your neighbor across the street.  It is highly likely that someone you know and love may have been helped in some way by SAY. 

We are Sonoma County’s only refuge for homeless teens and runaways.  The Reverend James E. Coffee House shelter is opened every day of the year, round-the-clock.   

SAY’s Tamayo House is the county’s only single resident occupancy housing program for youth who have transitioned out of the foster care system or who are living with serious mental illness such as bi-polar disorder.   Numerous studies, including The Little Hoover Report, have shown that many Transitional Age Youth (“TAY”) find themselves homeless when they turn 18.  Often lacking any family support, they do not have the resources or ability necessary to live independently.  Tamayo House provides an environment where these youth have a chance to experience independent living in a supportive setting.  Programs at Tamayo House ensure that the potential of these youth is tapped - not squandered from trying to survive on the streets.  When given the opportunity, Transitional Age Youth and youth living with serious mental illness can sparkle, succeed, and be vital members of our community.