Our History

Our Milestones

• 1969

  Family and Youth Services (FAYS) is established

  FAYS was established to build a stronger community by fostering the strength of youth, adults and families to help them meet life’s challenges.

  While the 1960s brought about an increased interest in child abuse, nearly all of the Society for the Protection of Cruelty to Children organizations had closed.

• 1976

  Women’s Center of Stockton is established

  Women’s Center of Stockton was established to offer a variety of opportunities to the community including: a place where women can share ideas and feelings and examine their place in the community and in society; a center for growth where women can learn skills that are important in dealing with a changing world; and a center for change where women can collectively work on solutions to programs and develop stable and satisfying lives.

  Women Against Rape joins Women’s Center of Stockton and provides a 24-Hour Crisis Line; immediate support on the phone, at hospitals or at home (crisis intervention); follow-up counseling and advocacy for victims; and community education.

  California just dropped the “no fault” divorce, while nationally, it was still legal for husbands to rape their wives.

  Nationally…

  The second-wave feminist movement was going strong.

  TIME had just awarded its “Man of the Year” cover to “American Women.”

  The National Organization of Women (NOW) had recently been established because the US government refuse to publish the Commission on the Status of Women’s report on job discrimination based on gender.

• 1979

  Women’s Center of Stockton becomes The Women’s Center of SJC

  The demand for these services is so great that Women’s Center of Stockton becomes Women’s Center of San Joaquin County (The Women’s Center of SJC) to reflect the countywide need for its services.

• 1982

  The Women’s Center of SJC starts Children’s Counseling and Opens Domestic Violence Shelter in Stockton, CA

  The Women’s Center of San Joaquin County’s commitment to women and therefore mothers, compels the development of counseling programs for high-risk children and classes to teach parenting skills. As well as opening Directions for Abused Women in Need (DAWN) House, an emergency shelter for battered women and their children. DAWN provides food, clothing, and basic necessities; individual counseling; support group; court accompaniment and advocacy; assistance with temporary restraining orders; safety planning; and information and referrals.

  Nationally

  Research just began linking domestic violence to sexual assault, in addition to research demonstrating the impact of domestic violence on children.

  During this time there was only about 100 domestic violence shelters nationally.

• 1990

  The Women’s Center of SJC Opens Lodi Office

  The Lodi Office opened to serve clients in the north county region as services grew and were needed throughout the county. These services were provided completely by volunteers.

• 1991

  Family and Youth Services Opens an Emergency Youth Shelter

  Safe House opened in response to a dramatic rise in the number of local homeless you seeking shelter. Safe House, an eight-bed home, provides short-term (up to 21 days) emergency shelter to youth ages 12 to 17 and their children. The shelter provides food, clothing and basic necessities, individual and family therapy, life skills training, educational support, and support groups.

  Nationally

  There was a constant increase in the number of young people who were forced out of their homes, abandoned, or living in the streets with their parents’ consent. The families of these youth were plagued with substance abuse, violence, and other family conflict.

• 1996

  Family and Youth Services Opens a Transitional Living Youth Shelter

  Opportunity House, a long-term (up to 21 months) transitional shelter opens to protect homeless and runaway youth from child abuse and provide them with an opportunity to become independent and live a productive life.

  Opportunity House was opened less than a decade (1988) after congress established the Transitional Living Program for older homeless youth in response to the fact that family reunification was not always a safe or viable option for homeless young people.

• 2004

  The Women’s Center of SJC Opens Domestic Violence Shelter in Tracy, CA

• 2006

  The Women’s Center of SJC expands services to Manteca and Tracy

  To meet the growing need for services The Women’s Center of SJC expands services to Manteca and Tracy (South County).

• 2010

  The Women’s Center of SJC joins Sexual Assault Response Team

  The Women’s Center of SJC joins San Joaquin County District Attorney’s Office, San Joaquin General Hospital, SJC’s Law Enforcement Agencies, Victim Witness, San Joaquin County Human Services Agency Child Advocacy Center and Child Protective Services to establish a Sexual Assault Response Team to conduct forensic examinations for victims of sexual assault.

• 2012

  The Women’s Center of SJC merges with Family and Youth Services

  After much collaboration between services and programs, the Board of Directors from both agencies decide to merge to provide overlapping services to individuals and families and becomes Women’s Center-Youth & Family Services (WCYFS).

• 2014

  WCYFS begins the Human Trafficking Task Force

  WCYFS brings together numerous community partners to establish San Joaquin County’s Human Trafficking Task Force. With representation from Stockton Police Department, San Joaquin County District Attorney’s Office, Probation, Victim Witness, Human Services Agencies and Children Services, and thirty additional governmental and nongovernmental agencies, the task force meet to combat the issue and protect individuals from human trafficking.

  Due to the location of San Joaquin County – 80 miles east of San Francisco, 50 miles south of Sacramento, and 221 miles north of Los Angeles – along with an active inland port, a county regional airport, and several major freeways, it remains a corridor for traffickers to transport women across California.

• 2016

  WCYFS begins CSEC Program & Opens Shelter to Men

• 2020 - 2022

  Through COVID 19 pandemic, our doors stay open

  We restructure to demonstrate our commitment to fiscal responsibility & program integrity and add to our services:

  • Advocacy for children experiencing child abuse & neglect 
  • Clinical therapy 
  • Substance Use/Harm Reduction Services 
  • Youth Action Board 
  • Restorative Justice Program 
  • Developing a multitude of housing programs

• 2023

  Start business under new brand name: PREVAIL

Join Our Team

Current Job Openings

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Volunteer

Direct Services

• Crisis Intervention

  • 24 Hr. Crisis Line Support
  • 24 Hr. Hospital Response for Sexual Assault Victims
  • Court Accompaniment
  • Restraining Order Assistance
  • In-Person Crisis Intervention Support (Walk-Ins)

• Supportive Services

  • Peer Counseling
  • Support Groups

• Shelter Services

  • Domestic Violence Shelter Coverage
  • 24 Hour Crisis Line Support

Victim Assistance Training (VAT)

Download VAT Application

Indirect Services

• PREVAIL Clothing Closet

  Sizing, organizing, cleaning, assisting with donations, etc.

• PREVAIL Special Events

  DVAM, Denim Day, Night of Remembrance, Annual Luncheon, Christmas in July, Assisting with setup/breakdown, coordination, etc.

• Community Engagement

  Tabling/Outreach Events, Health/Resource Fairs, Community Presentations, Street Outreach/ Resource Distribution

Download Indirect Application

Volunteer Requirements

• 18 years of age or older
• Must be able to lift a minimum of 15-25 pounds
• Must complete background check through LiveScan fingerprinting system
• Commitment to PREVAIL vision to end violence and youth homelessness
• Volunteers interested in direct services MUST complete 69-hour VAT training, mandated reporter training, sexual harassment training and 40 hours of mentoring/job shadowing with direct service staff members.

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• 209-941-2611

Remote Opportunities

Special Projects & Professional Service Volunteering

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Donate

4 Ways to Give

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  Monetary Gifts

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  Leave a Legacy

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  In Kind/Goods

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  Vehicle Donation

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  Monetary

  PREVAIL is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Donations to PREVAIL are tax deductible to the extent allowed by law. Our Tax ID # is 94-2341360.

  Monetary gifts can include the following:

  • Tribute: in honor of someone
  • Memorial
  • Birthday

  You can give through United Way! Designate PREVAIL as your chosen charity on your payroll deduction form when you give through United Way.

  Your gift can be matched by your employer! Check with your employer or union to see if they match charitable contributions from employees. If so, this is another way to increase the impact of your gift.

  Donate Today

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  Leave a Legacy

  There are many ways to leave a legacy to PREVAIL through a planned gift in your will, trust, or estate plans. You can make a simple request in your will, designate the agency as a beneficiary of a life insurance policy, or make a gift of a retirement plan or securities. Some planned gifts can result in financial benefits for you and your loved ones, such as tax deductions or reduced taxes on your estate. Consult with your attorney, CPA, or financial planner to determine what type of giving plan is best for you and your family.

  By making a planned gift, you are ensuring that there will be free, confidential services and shelter for homeless youth and victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking for as long as there is a need. Your generosity will enable us to continue building stronger families and a safer community for all of us. If you include PREVAIL in your plans, please use our legal name and Tax ID number.

  Full legal name: PREVAIL
  Mailing address: 620 N. San Joaquin Street, Stockton, CA 95202
  Federal Tax ID number: 94-2341360

  If you have included PREVAIL in your plans, please let us know so that we may acknowledge your wonderful gift! We would like to honor your generosity and include you in our Compassion Society. All of your information will remain confidential. If you do not wish to be publicly acknowledged, let us know that you wish to remain anonymous.

  The Compassion Society
  The Compassion Society was created to acknowledge donors who have notified us that PREVAIL is included in their will, trust, or other estate plans. These donors have committed to helping sustain PREVAIL's programs and services for generations to come with their generosity. We acknowledge them for the legacy they are leaving to our organization, our clients, and our community.

  As a member of the Compassion Society, you will receive:

  • Recognition at PREVAIL's Anniversary Gala, held every 5 years
  • Invitations to Compassion Society events
  • Acknowledgement in PREVAIL's Annual Report

  If you wish, you may choose to remain anonymous. We will not share your name or details of your gift without your permission. You will still have the opportunity to receive invitations and participate in Compassion Society events.

  How can I become a member?
  You can become a member of the Compassion Society by informing us that PREVAIL is included in your estate plans and by submitting a donor intent form outlining your commitment. If you would like more information on the Compassion Society and after-lifetime giving opportunities, please contact us at (209) 941-2611.

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  In-Kind/Goods

  We strive to provide quality, comprehensive services to individuals and families in our community. We rely on the generosity of supporters like YOU to provide compassionate care and dignity to every person who enters our doors. A small act of kindness can bring a great deal of comfort to someone in need. With your help, we can ensure our participants receive GENTLY USED* & NEW hygiene items, clothing, accessories and more. The items listed below are in high demand year-round.

  *Gently used items are acceptable as long as they are clean with no stains, rips or missing/broken pieces.

  Wish List

  • Hygiene items – for all hair and skin types (NEW full size)
  • Clothes (NEW and gently used of all sizes and genders)
  • Essentials: Socks, bras, underwear, undershirts, t-shirts, and sweatshirts (NEW of all sizes and genders)
  • Toiletries (New)
  • Gift Cards in increments of $25, $50 and $100 to Target, Walmart, Food-4-Less, etc.

  Download PREVAIL Wish List

  Shop for a Cause!

  When you shop through Amazon Smile you make a difference. 0.5% of your purchase price can be designated to the charity of your choice. Choose PREVAIL to make an impact on the lives of runaway and homeless youth and victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking. Make double the impact and shop from our wish list on AmazonSmile.

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  Vehicle Donation

  Donate your Car, Truck, Boat, RV or Motorcycle – Running or Not!! Tax Deductible! We have teamed up with Car Donation Services, Inc (CDS) to help you dispose or sell your vehicle all while receiving a tax deduction AND making a difference.

  Visit Car Donation Services, Inc. to learn how you can donate and make a difference today!

  Donate Today