Resource guides
for SFCASA youth
🌱 Essentials & daily living
Emergency assistance for housing, food, and critical needs.
San Francisco Rent Relief Resources
Information on rental assistance and tenant protection.
Discounted energy rates for qualifying households.
Provides food, shelter, behavioral health, and family support.
LTF Respuesta Latina – Housing Support
Housing support for Spanish-speaking and immigrant families.
24/7 crisis support, shelter, counseling, health, and college access.
Support for youth and families, wellness programs, and community building.
Family-centered support, wellness, housing, and education services for young parents.
🏠 Transitional age youth (TAY) & foster youth programs
Housing, case management, and employment support for foster youth.
info@firstplaceforyouth.org
SF ILSP (Independent Living Skills Program)
Helps youth in foster care prepare for adulthood with life skills, housing, and more.
GSP Scholar – San Jose State University
Support for foster youth in higher education, including scholarships and mentorship.
For formerly incarcerated and former foster care students at CCSF.
Book vouchers, tutoring, and counseling for low-income and first-gen students.
eops@ccsf.edu
Alternative Family Services (AFS)
Supportive housing and family placement services for court-involved youth.
AB12 - Extended Foster Care Program
State Program
Helps youth ages 18–21 with housing, education, and life skills.
Phone: (916) 651-7465
Unity Care – HSH & THP Programs
Transitional housing and support for foster youth through Housing Support for Homeless (HSH) and Transitional Housing Program (THP).
San Francisco County – Family & Children’s Services
Offers support to youth and families connected to foster care and child welfare services.
⚖️ Juvenile justice-involved youth
San Francisco Juvenile Probation Department (JPD)
Direct connection to youth impacted by the system.
Provides support for court-involved youth: scholarships, clothing, and more.
info@cityyouthnow.org
Supports youth in District 10 impacted by violence and justice systems.
Serves foster youth and justice-involved youth.
Creative and healing-centered work with high-risk youth and their families.
admin@sunsetyouthservices.org | 415-665-0255
🎓 Educational, career, and college support
Mentorship for TAY youth in the EOPS/Guardian Scholars program.
SFERA (Youth-Led Mutual Aid & Healing)
Youth leadership, wellness, and movement-building.
EMT training for youth interested in first response careers.
Admin@fireacademy.org | 530-663-3627
Black Firefighters Association
Instagram: @sfblackfirefighters
Community connections, empowerment, and training pathways.
Led by Uncle Damien, a trusted community outreach & youth advocate.
us4us.info@gmail.com | 415-843-1148
DCYF – Department of Children, Youth & Their Families
Youth services and funding initiatives up to age 24.
info@dcyf.org | Media: emily.davis@dcyf.org
Community City College of San Francisco (CCSF)
Public community college offering a variety of degree and certificate programs.
Guardian Scholars Program (CCSF & beyond)
Campus-based support programs for current and former foster youth pursuing higher education.
San Francisco Unified School District (SFUSD)
District-wide resources for students, families, and young adults in re-engagement programs.
Youth United Through Health Education (YUTHE)
Peer-led health education and youth leadership development.
Education, employment, and reentry services for TAY and justice-involved youth.
Workforce and career development, case management, and wraparound services.
San Francisco Workforce Development & CalFresh/Medical
Assistance with job readiness, employment services, and applying for public benefits.
Job training, youth internships, and employment pathway support.
Leadership, healing, and advocacy programs for system-impacted girls, women, and gender-expansive youth.
🎨 Enrichment, wellness, and community
San Francisco Public Library – TAY Page
Events, job search help, and space for youth ages 18–24.
info@sfpl.org | 415-557-4400
A healing-centered resource hub for youth facing homelessness and/or foster care.
Instagram: @hypecentersf | Phone: 415-525-4438
Safe space and programs for youth, especially from under-resourced communities.
Youth development programs with a focus on leadership, education, and family support.
Youth-run supper club offering job training, mentorship, and second chances.
Culinary classes for kids and youth, with a focus on creative expression and community.
Felton Institute – Mental Health Services
Culturally responsive mental health, case management, and clinical support for youth and families.
Get your refund
Declare sus impuestos
Obtenga su reembolso
File your taxes
Get your refund Declare sus impuestos Obtenga su reembolso File your taxes
Free tax services
What is VITA?
The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program is administered by the IRS to provide free tax preparation to eligible taxpayers. State and Federal returns are prepared by IRS-certified volunteers, who undergo training and are required to pass an IRS exam. SFCASA’s VITA site exclusively serves the foster youth population. SFCASA served 138 youth in 2025.
Client eligibility
Youth who were/are in California’s foster system and/or are probation youth
Youth who are the ages of 18 - 25 at the end of 2025
Youth who made $70,000 or less
Appointments
All appointments are by default virtual. Clients must request in-person appointments.
Clients will receive a calendar invitation containing any next steps and appointment details.
Clients can upload a photo of their tax documents or bring a physical copy. All documents are securely collected on an IRS-certified platform.
Foster Youth Tax Credit
The California Foster Youth Tax Credit (FYTC) is a fully refundable tax credit for current and former foster youth in the state. To be eligible, youth must also qualify for the CA EITC. Eligible youth must be 18 to 25 years old at the end of the tax year and must have been in CA’s foster care system on or after their 13th birthday. In 2025, eligible youth can claim up to $1,117 for the FYTC!
Supporting current/former low-income foster and probation youth prepare and file their tax returns for free.
Site Information
We are hybrid—we offer IN-PERSON + VIRTUAL services
Our tax services are available Mon-Sat starting January 27, 2026
We can help prepare/file for tax years 2025, 2024, 2023, 2022, and 2021
How to file your taxes for free
Tax Tuesday
Join us every Tuesday during the tax season for tax related content!
#TaxTuesday is SFCASA’s VITA’s campaign for expanding financial literacy among foster youth. Join us @sanfranciscocasa.
Taxpayer resources
Low-income taxpayer clinics (LITCS)
Having trouble with the IRS? Did you receive an IRS letter?
Low-Income Taxpayer Clinics (LITC) help low-income taxpayers who need assistance resolving ongoing issues with the IRS. Issues include but are not limited to, garnished wages, audits, refunds not received, and needing pro-bono representation.
Social Security card replacement
Was your Social Security card stolen, lost, and/or damaged? Click below to request a replacement card.
Financial literacy workshops
Get free money for attending a virtual workshop! In-person appointments are held at our office in SF’s Mission District.
These services are completely free for eligible individuals. Please check above to determine if you are eligible.
VITA SITES
Are you a low-income taxpayer who is not a current/former foster youth? Other VITA sites offer free tax preparation/filing services to eligible taxpayers. Click below to find a VITA site near you.
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Please fill out this form or scan the QR code above.
If you are eligible, someone from our team will contact you 24-48 hours after you submit the form.
You will receive an email/text/call with next step instructions.
You will receive a link to the GetYourRefund platform, where you will upload all of your tax documents securely.
Once most of your documents are uploaded, an IRS certified VITA volunteer will reach out to schedule an in-person/virtual tax preparation appointment.
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One government issued ID (state ID/license, passport)
Social Security Number or ITIN (photo/physical cards accepted)
Employment documents (W-2, 1099-NEC)
Educational documents (1098-T)
Dependent's SSN
Other tax documents (1099-R, 1099-MISC, etc.)
Please note that you do not need all of these documents if they do not apply to you.
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SFCASA's VITA site exclusively serves current/former foster youth.
Most other VITA sites serve the general public. If you are a low-income taxpayer, please use the locator on the right side to find other VITA sites.