Valley Children’s Invests $2 Million to Transform Care for At-Risk Youth

Valley Children’s is taking a bold step to change the future for vulnerable youth in Central California. The organization has committed $2 million over the next two years to support “Our Valley Cares,” a new collaborative initiative led by the Fresno Mission that aims to build a comprehensive system of care for young people in crisis.

“Helping at-risk youth fits perfectly into what we are charged to do in the mission statement of Valley Children’s: to improve the health and well-being of children,” said Todd Suntrapak, Valley Children’s Healthcare President and CEO.

The initiative will serve homeless youth, high-risk minors, young adults aging out of foster care and trafficked children. By uniting nonprofits, churches, government agencies and community partners, including the Central California Food Bank, Breaking the Chains and Martin Park, “Our Valley Cares” seeks to replace a fragmented system with a coordinated network of support.

“When we find our youth in crisis, it’s so critical that we support them, because we know that toxic stress triggers a lot of processes in the body linked to the higher risk of developing chronic health conditions,” said Dr. Carmela Sosa, medical director of the Guilds Center for Community Health at Valley Children’s. “And this helps us build a healthier future.”

The Fresno Mission’s City Center campus already hosts more than 20 organizations offering emergency housing, a charter school for homeless and foster youth, a free grocery store and career development programs. Valley Children’s investment will accelerate these efforts and help fund a new facility dedicated to at-risk youth, with construction expected to begin in 2026.

The team behind “Our Valley Cares” hopes this model will inspire similar efforts nationwide.

For Matt Dildine, Fresno Mission CEO, the need is urgent. “Nearly half the people staying on one of our pillows tonight are under the age of 18,” he said. “Youth homelessness just looks different. Their needs are different.”

At City Center, Jeffrey “Front Desk Jeff” Gonzalez sees the impact firsthand. “I get to see a difference. They come in here apprehensive, unsure, untrusting, and next thing you know, there’s smiles. There’s more than a pep in their step. There’s purpose.”