Community
Kristen Witek and Katie Ramos of North County
Lifeline & Nancy Tran of Just in Time for Foster Youth
A SAFE
PLACE
FOR
YOUTH
48 GBSAN.COM | MAY 2019
I
n a unique and complimentary collaboration,
Just in Time for Foster Youth (JIT) and North
County Lifeline (Lifeline) have opened a new
drop-in center in North County at 302 N.
Indiana Ave in Vista, CA. The renovated space
is part of an innovative partnership between
the two organizations to overcome the
geographic and transportation challenges for transition
Don Stump
age foster youth seeking JIT services as well as providing
homeless and/or at-risk youth and young adults in
North County a warm and welcoming environment that will increase participation and
engagement.
“Just in Time is very excited about this game-changing collaboration,” JIT Executive
Director, Don Wells shared with Giving Back Magazine. “It is only possible because of
the willingness of Executive Director Don Stump and his team at North County Lifeline
to partner with us in support of shared goals and values that create better outcomes
and greater impact for the young people we both serve.” The two Dons not only share
a name but also a common philosophy which made this collaboration a perfect fit for
both agencies.
“We were already talking about doing a drop-in center when JIT approached us,”
recalls Lifeline Executive Director, Don Stump. “For us, it is about more than former
foster youth… it is a safe place for youth and young adults who are seeking services
and support, who might be runaways, homeless or at risk of homelessness for reasons
beyond and including being former foster youth.”