Andrea Nasser, Health Information Specialist II, County of San Diego Health and Human Services Agency

SD Nights is becoming the new hang out spot for kids and teens across San Diego County. Short for Safe Destination Nights, the program provides safe places where young people can safely hang out with their friends in the evening while also learning essential life skills and make a difference in their communities.

SD Nights was originally created as a response to the high number of youth who were getting in trouble on Friday nights. As a result, the County of San Diego Parks and Recreation Department launched the program in 2017 to provide a safe place for kids and teens to get together during critical hours in the evening from 7 – 9 pm. The free program features food, games, and discussion topics on bullying prevention, gang prevention, civic engagement, connecting with law enforcement and planning for college and careers.

In partnership with the County of San Diego Health and Human Services Agency and Probation Department, as well as cities across the county, SD Nights provides safe recreational opportunities for thousands of young people. The program started in Spring Valley and has since expanded to nine additional locations around the county including the City of Lemon Grove, National City, City of El Cajon, City of Oceanside and Southeastern San Diego. 

These partnerships have had a significant impact. Since 2017, over 8,000 youth were off the street for over 28,000 total hours after school and in the evenings. Since July 2019, the program has hosted 75 events at over 17 sites for more than 4,000 youth participants. The goal is to host 300 events at 25 locations in 18 neighborhoods with 12,000 youth participants by June 2020.

For more information, contact Carl McCullough at 858-966-1357 or carl.mccullough@sdcounty.ca.gov.

Discover more about SD Nights in the short video below.