NEWS THIS WEEK.

COMING UP, WE COLLABORATE WITH LOCAL CHILDCARE PROVIDERS.

THIS IS PART OF THE WHERE'S MY DIGITAL SERIES?

FAMILIES WHO DO THIS IMPORTANT PART, ARE INVOLVED.

>>> MENTAL HEALTH AND LOCAL SCHOOLS.

SEE HOW KIDS ARE RELYING ON EACH OTHER.

THIS WILL STILL BE TOWARDS LGBTQ+ PROTECTIONS.

POPULAR STORY, LOOKING TO REACH A NATIONAL CITY THAT IS SHOWING MEANINGFUL RESULTS.

THIS WEEKEND, BRINGS A MILESTONE FOR SAN DIEGO, MARKED BY DOWNTOWN'S BATTLE THEATER.

IT OPENED 100 YEARS AGO.

JOHN CARROLL, REVEALS SOME OF THE BUILDINGS HISTORY, AND TELLS US ABOUT SOME OF THE SPECIAL EVENTS THAT HAD BEEN PLANNED.

>> Reporter: THE BALBOA THEATER OPENED ON THE SOUTHWEST CORNER OF E STREET.

IT WAS AS THE SAN DIEGO HISTORY CENTER DESCRIBES IT, IT WILL DESIGNED COMBINATION STRANGE -- STAGE.

1500 SEATS.

THEY STAGE THE SIZE OF MOST ROADWAY STAGES, AND SOMETHING QUITE UNIQUE.

LIVE WATERFALLS ON EITHER SIDE OF THE PROCEEDING ARCH, WITH A DISTINCTLY WESTERN LANDSCAPE GRADE >> I FEEL LIKE ELBOW IS SAN DIEGO'S JEWEL.

>> Reporter: THIS IS THE SAN DIEGO THEATERS NONPROFIT.

THEY RUN DOWNTOWNS THEATERS.

>> IT IS AT THE EPICENTER OF ALL KIND OF PERFORMING ARTS.

>> Reporter: THE EPICENTER, NO LONGER A SPRING CHICKEN, NEEDS PLENTY OF ATTENTION.

>> WE ARE CONSTANTLY DOING SOME OF THE VARIED IN PREPARATION FOR ITS 100 YEARS, WE ARE WORKING ON SOME NEW CARPET.

YOU WILL SEE THAT ALL OF THE BUILDING.

IT THAT WAS CUSTOM-MADE AND IS UNBIASED.

>> Reporter: THIS IS SURROUNDED BY A ROPE DESIGN.

THE EXTERIOR HAS A FRESH LOOK.

NEW TRITONE.

>> PULLED OUT, AWNING, THINGS TO BE A LITTLE BIT MORE REFRESHED.

>> THIS IS GOING ON INSIDE THE THEATER TO THE PUBLIC GRADE REALLY EXCITED ABOUT ALL OF THAT.

>> Reporter: THAT EXCITEMENT REACHES A FEVER PITCH TONIGHT.

A GALA CELEBRATION?

OFF A WEEKEND OF SPECIAL EVENTS.

PLAYWRIGHT AND ACTOR, OR PRESENT AN ATTRIBUTE KNOWN AS THE GREAT AMERICAN SONG RUN.

TOMORROW NIGHT AT 7:00, A SCREENING OF THE 1929 SILENT MOVIE, THE FINE FLEAS.

LOOKING AT THIS AMAZING ORGAN.

SATURDAY MORNING, FOCUSES ON THE LITTLE ONES.

CHILDREN'S CUSTOM PARADE.

CHILDREN ARE ENCOURAGED TO COME THEIR BEST ROARING 20s ATTIRE.

FOLLOWED BY TUNES.

CLASSIC CARTOONS, WITH THE ORGAN PROVIDING MUSICAL BACKGROUND.

EVERYTHING LINES UP SATURDAY EVENING WITH THE SAN DIEGO SPOTLIGHT.

MAKING IT MORE ACCESSIBLE TO ALL OF THESE ADMINISTRATIONS.

THIS IS A PRIORITY.

TONIGHT THROUGH SATURDAY, ALL THE MONEY FROM TICKET SALES WILL GO TO THE BALBOA THEATER GRANT FUND.

>> THIS OFFERS TO SUBSIDIZE LOCAL ART NONPROFITS RIGHT HERE.

THEY CAN REALLY FOCUS ON THEIR ART.

THIS IS GOING TO BE THE RIGHT OPERATIONS.

ENSURING THE LABOR PROCESS IS GOING THROUGH THINGS LIKE THAT.

>> Reporter: A BIG PART OF THIS WEEKEND'S FESTIVITIES ARE WHAT YOU ARE HEARING NOW.

THAT IS THE SOUND OF ONE OF THE FINEST THEATER PIPE ORGANS LEFT OF THE UNITED STATES.

ORIGINALLY BUILT FROM ONE OF THE GRAND THEATERS AROUND NEW YORK CITY.

THIS IS AN IMPORTANT PIPE ORGAN.

2009, KNOWING THAT IT WILL BE PAID ON FRIDAY AND SATURDAY BY A VISITING ORGANIST.

>> THIS IS THEIR SIGNATURE INSTRUMENT.

>> Reporter: THE ORGAN IS A MARVEL .

EARLIEST 20 CENTURY ENGINEERING.

THEY ARE HELPING TO MAINTAIN IT.

WE KNOW IT BEST.

>> THIS COMPLEMENT OF PIPEWORK, IN MY MIND, ONE OF THE GREATEST DESIGNS.

>> Reporter: WE TALKED ABOUT THE FOUNDATION CHAMBER.

HIGH ABOVE THE STAGE, HUNDREDS OF OTHER INSTRUMENTS HAVE LIVED.

THEY ARE OUT HERE FIXING IT AND ADJUSTING IT.

>> IT IS SO SPECIAL.

IT MAKES ME FEEL REALLY HAPPY.

THAT'S HOW IT MAKES ME FEEL.

>> Reporter: BACK DOWNSTAIRS, AT THE CONSUL, AND HE IS TREATING US TO A PREVIEW OF THE SPECIAL THEME MUSIC HE WROTE TO ACCOMPANY THIS.

>> OUR JOB IS TO CAST THE MOVIE TO MAKE MUSIC EFFECTIVE.

THIS IS WITHOUT GETTING IN THE WAY.

THE BEST COMPLIMENT THAT WE EVER GET, I FORGOT THAT YOU WERE EVEN THERE.

WE KNOW THAT WE HAVE DONE OUR JOB.

>> Reporter: ALL OF THIS, THE ORGAN, THE THEATER, IN ITS NEWLY FRESH STATE, IT ALMOST DIDN'T HAPPEN.

IN 1959, THE THEATER WAS SLATED FOR DEMOLITION.

IT WAS TO MAKE WAY FOR A PARKING LOT.

THE RUSSO FAMILY BOUGHT IT AND KEPT IT AS A MOVIE THEATER FOR THE NEXT COUPLE OF DECADES.

IT WASN'T UNTIL 2005, THAT A MAJOR $26.5 MILLION RENOVATION TOOK LACE.

THIS INCLUDES EARTHQUAKE RETROFITTING.

REOPENED IN 2008, AND SAN DIEGO THEATERS TOOK OVER RATION.

>> AS THE BALBOA THEATER BECOMES A CENTENARIAN, IT IS DEFINITELY TIME TO CELEBRATE THE BIG DAY.

IS ALSO A TIME TO REFLECT ON HOW INCREDIBLY FORTUNATE AND LUCKY WE ALL ARE, THAT THIS GEM OF SAN DIEGO IS STILL HERE, 100 YEARS LATER.

FROM THE BALBOA THEATER, JOHN KIM, KPBS NEWS.

>> YOU CAN FIND MORE OF OUR ARTS COVERAGE AT KPBS .ORG.

WE ARE GOING TO SHARE SOME OF THESE MERITS FOR THESE THINGS HAPPENING ONCE HAD.

WE HAVE A MAP SHOWING WHAT IS HAPPENING IN YOUR AREA.

>>> WARNING TO OUR VIEWERS.

THIS NEXT STORY INCLUDE SUICIDE.

A RISING NUMBER OF HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS HAVE SERIOUSLY CONSIDERED SUICIDE, ACCORDING TO CNBC DATA.

WE ARE LOOKING AT THESE MENTAL HEALTH NUMBERS AND SCHOOLS.

HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS ARE FACING HIGHER RISKS OF LGBTQ+ YOUTH, AND FACE HIGHER BARRIERS TO GET HELP GRADE >> MORE THAN ONE IN FIVE HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS HAVE SERIOUSLY CONSIDERED SUICIDE DID FOR LGBTQ+ STUDENTS, THAT NUMBER RISES TO ALMOST HALF.

>> THAT IS WALTER PHILLIPS.

THE CEO OF SAN DIEGO YOU SERVICES.

LOOKING AT THE STUDENT HEALTH MENTAL SERVICES.

WE ARE LOOKING AT THE STUDENT BOARD.

COMMUNITY MEMBERS ALSO PROVIDE SERVICES THROUGH THE COUNTIES LGBTQ+ YOUTH.

IT WAS PART OF A STRING OF ACTIONS AFFECTING LGBTQ+ STUDENTS.

LIKE BANNING SAFE SPACE POSTERS, AND HIGH FLATS.

SEVERAL SCHOOL DISTRICTS.

THIS IS WHAT THEY TOOK THIS YEAR.

THEY SAY THOSE ACTIONS HAVE BIG CONSEQUENCES.

>> THAT IS INCREASING THE MENTAL HEALTH ACTIONS.

>> HE SAYS HE HAS EXPERIENCED THAT FIRST HAND.

>> THIS WAS AHEAD OF THE PANDEMIC DID THIS WAS HERE QUITE A BIT.

I'M TRYING TO KILL MYSELF.

I WAS NOT HAPPY AT ALL.

I SUFFERED IN MY FRIEND GROUPON I WENT TO CATHOLIC SCHOOL.

I CAME OUT AS GAY AND TRANS.

THERE'S A LOT OF ISOLATION THAT GOES ON FOR A LOT OF KIDS.

>> Reporter: THE UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT SPOKESPERSON, SAID THEY HAD NO COMMENT ON THE DETAILS OF THE STORY.

THE SCHOOL BOARD VOTED IN AUGUST TO NOTIFY PARENTS THAT THEIR CHILD SHOULD HAVE SIGNS SHOWN OF BEING TRANSGENDER.

ASKING TO USE A DIFFERENT NAME, PRONOUNS, OR BATHROOMS IN SCHOOL.

>> THERE WERE PEOPLE CRYING.

THEY WERE HAVING PANIC ATTACKS, BECAUSE THEIR PARENTS COULDN'T FIND OUT.

>> Reporter: IT IS LESS OF AN ISSUE FOR HIM.

>> SOME PEOPLE'S DADS DON'T EVEN KNOW MY NEW LEGAL NAME.

IT IS NOT ON ANY OF THE DOCUMENTS AT ALL.

I REALLY APPRECIATE.

SOME STUDENTS CALLED ME THAT ONE POINT, BUT IT WAS JUST FUN.

>> Reporter: IT IS A BIG PROBLEM FOR ALL OF HIS FRIENDS , WHO ARE OUTING TO UNSUPPORTED SICK AS HIS PARENTS.

>> IT INTRODUCES THE DANGERS FOR KIDS WHO HAVE BEEN KICKED OUT OF THE HOUSE BECAUSE OF THAT.

>> Reporter: IT PUSHED THEIR IDENTITY UNDERGROUND.

>> NOBODY COMES BACK TO THE SCHOOL ANYMORE.

THERE ARE SPECIFIC TEACHERS WHO WILL KNOW.

THEY JUST DON'T SAY ANYTHING.

THAT SORT OF THING.

>> Reporter: ONE MONTH LATER, THE DISTRICT PLANNED ALL FLAGS.

EXCEPT THE STATE AND U.S. FLAGS, UNLESS THEY HAVE SUPERINTENDENT APPROVAL.

>> ONLY ONES THAT RECEIVED WARNINGS FOR THAT WERE THE TEACHERS THAT HAD THAT YOU ARE SAFE HERE, OR HE HAS NO PLACE HERE FLAGS.

>> Reporter: THEY HANDED OUT PRIDE FLAGS ON STICKS.

>> PEOPLE WERE TAKING THEM TO RIP THEM UP.

THAT WAS A LITTLE BIT FUNNY.

THEY WERE ACTUALLY A PLASTIC FABRIC.

THEY COULDN'T RIP THEM.

IT WAS FUNNY.

THEY WOULD STRUGGLE FOR A LITTLE BIT, THEN BREAK THE STICKS THAT THEY WERE ON.

>> Reporter: LGBTQ+ STUDENTS ARE HARASSED FOR THEIR IDENTITY, AND HIGHER RATES THAN OTHER STUDENTS, CNBC DATA SHOWS.

THAT NUMBER IS RISING IN RECENT YEARS.

THE SCHOOL DISTRICT'S ACTIONS, THEY SAY, MAKE LGBTQ+ STUDENTS, AFRAID TO USE THE SCHOOLS MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES.

>> IT HAS TAKEN A WHILE FOR ME TO ACCEPT THAT.

IT TAKES A WHILE FOR ANYONE TO ACCEPT THEMSELVES.

ESPECIALLY IN A SETTING LIKE RIGHT NOW, WHERE IT IS BEING PUNISHED.

IT GETS A LOT HARDER.

>> Reporter: INSTEAD, THEY CREATE THEIR OWN SUPPORT SYSTEM.

>> EVERYTHING THAT HE KNOWS IS KICKED OUT, IS RIGHT HERE.

KICKED BACK WITH THE PARENTS.

>> Reporter: KPBS NEWS.

>> IF YOU OR SOMEONE YOU KNOW ARE HAVING THOUGHTS OF SUICIDE, YOU CAN CALL THE SUICIDE CRISIS LIFELINE.

AT 98 EIGHT.

-- 988.

KPBS REPORTERS, SAY TOUGHER ENFORCEMENT ALONG THE BORDER, PUSHES MIGRANTS TO CROSS IN MORE DANGEROUS AREAS.

WE SPOKE TO LIFEGUARDS WHO ARE SEEING A SLIGHT DROP IN DROWNINGS.

>> Reporter: THE SOUND OF CRASHING WAVES AND CHILDREN PLAYING ALONG THE SLIDE, BRINGS VISITORS A FALSE SENSE OF SECURITY.

UNDERNEATH THE SURFACE, THERE IS A DIFFERENT STORY.

PARTICULARLY AT THE U.S./MEXICO BORDER.

THE WALL STICKS OUT MORE THAN TWO FEET INTO THE PACIFIC OCEAN.

>> [ SPEAKING IN A GLOBAL LANGUAGE ].

RIP CURRENT.

>> Reporter: THE TAWANA LIFEGUARD CAPTAIN, SAYS THE METAL POSTS CREATE A PERMANENT RIFT CURRENT, AND PULLS SWIMMERS OUT INTO THE OCEAN.

THESE ARE WATERS ARE UNFORGIVING.

IT IS NOT LIKE SWIMMING IN A POOL WHERE YOU CAN GRAB ONTO A LEDGE WHENEVER YOU NEED TO CATCH HER BREATH.

>> [ SPEAKING IN A GLOBAL LANGUAGE ].

>> Reporter: THIS STRETCH OF OCEAN IS PARTICULARLY DANGEROUS TO MIGRANTS AROUND THE BORDER.

OVER THE LAST FEW YEARS, THEY HAVE SEEN A RECORD NUMBER OF DEATHS.

THE TRACK RESCUES IN DROWNINGS ON THE WHITEBOARD FROM THE MAIN LIFEGUARD TOWER.

IS FIVE RESCUES IN 2020, ONLY SEVEN AND 2021.

59 RESCUES IN 2022, AND 41 LAST YEAR.

HE SAYS THAT MIGRANTS CROSSING ONE OF TWO WAYS.

THE FIRST WAY IS TO SWIM AROUND THE BORDER.

FIGHTING THAT POWERFUL CURRENT IS EXHAUSTING.

>> [ SPEAKING IN A GLOBAL LANGUAGE ].

>> Reporter: THE SECOND WAY IS TO WRAP YOUR ARMS AROUND, AND USE SELFISH GROWING ALONG THE BOTTOM AS LEDGES.

THEY ARE VERY SHARP.

LIFEGUARDS OFTEN RESCUE THE WITH CUTS THROUGHOUT THE BODY.

>> [ SPEAKING IN A GLOBAL LANGUAGE ].

>> Reporter: MOST RESCUES HAVE BEEN ON THE SAN DIEGO SIDE OF THE BORDER.

EXHAUSTED MIGRANTS ARE SWIMMING AGAINST THE POWERFUL RIP CURRENTS TRYING TO GET BACK TO SHORE.

WHENEVER THAT HAPPENS, U.S. LIFEGUARDS RESPOND.

THE HEAD LIFEGUARD IMPERIAL BEACH IS HERE.

>> WE ARE WATCHING SOMEONE HANG ON THE FENCE.

MAYBE THEY ARE SWIMMING AROUND THE FENCE.

THEY ARE IN DISTRESS.

WE TRY TO RESPOND NO MATTER WHAT.

IT IS WITHIN THE CITY LIMIT.

THIS IS GOING ALL THE WAY TO THE BORDER.

>> Reporter: MOST RESCUES INVOLVE MIGRANTS WHO ARE NOT STRONG SWIMMERS.

THEY JUMP INTO THE OCEAN WITH ALL OF THEIR CLOTHES ON, AND CARRY THEIR BELONGINGS AND HEAVY BACK DECKS.

>> IF THE CURRENT PUSHES YOU AGAINST THE FENCE, THAT IS A DANGEROUS SITUATION.

YOU CAN'T GET OFF OF IT.

THE FENCE IS DANGEROUS, THE CURRENT IS DANGEROUS, THE BOTTOM IS DANGEROUS.

THE WATER IS POLLUTED EVERY SINGLE DAY.

>> Reporter: FOUR MIGRANTS WERE DROWNING AROUND 2019, AFTER IT WAS REPLACED WITH A TALLER ONE.

>> IN THE LAST TWO YEARS, WAY MORE FATALITIES FROM HERE TO THE BORDER THAN WE HAVE EVER HAD.

IT IS USUALLY DUE TO MIGRATION.

>> Reporter: NEW STUDY PUBLISHED BY RESEARCHERS AT UC SAN DIEGO, CONFIRM WHAT LIFEGUARDS ARE SEEING IN THE WATER.

THEY FOUND THAT DROWNINGS INCREASED SIGNIFICANTLY AFTER THE WALL WAS BUILT.

FROM JUST ONE DROWNING FOUR YEARS AGO, TO 33 IN THE FOUR YEARS AFTER.

TO BE CLEAR, THE STUDY DOES NOT ESTABLISH OR ATTRIBUTE TO THE FINDINGS DIRECTLY LOOKING AT THE BORDER.

>> IT IS IMPORTANT FOR THE LIFEGUARDS AND THE EMERGENCY RESPONSE TEAMS, TO LOOK AT THE HEALTH SYSTEM, AND TO KNOW IF WE HAVE A LOT OF DROWNINGS.

MAYBE WE HAVE MAJOR ACCIDENTS COMING IN.

>> Reporter: IS A PHD AT SAN DIEGO.

INTERESTED IN MIGRANT DROWNINGS THROUGH HER ROTATION AT THE UC SAN DIEGO CANCER CENTER.

SHE SAW A LOT OF INJURIES FROM PEOPLE WHO FELT THE BORDER WALL.

THEY WONDER IF ANYONE WAS TRYING TO SWIM AROUND IT.

>> WE HAVE UNIQUE OPPORTUNITIES TO STUDY THIS IN A LOCAL CONTEXT.

WE HAVE PARTNERS, LIFEGUARDS, CO-STARS, OTHER COMMUNITY PARTNERS WHO ARE TRYING TO HELP US.

>> Reporter: THE DROWNINGS ARE RELATIVELY NEW IN SAN DIEGO.

THEY ARE MUCH MORE IN COMMON THAN OTHER PARTS OF THE WORLD.

>> THEY ARE LOOKING AT DIFFERENT CAUSES OF DEATH.

THIS IS ESPECIALLY AROUND THE MEDITERRANEAN AREA.

THERE HASN'T BEEN A LOT OF SCIENCE OR INVESTIGATION INTO THAT.

WE ARE TRYING TO PLAY A FRAMEWORK FOR OTHER RESEARCHERS.

>> Reporter: BOTH RESEARCHERS CALL THIS A PRELIMINARY STUDY.

THEY WOULD LIKE TO ANALYZE MORE DATA ON DROWNINGS AND RESCUES FROM BOTH SIDES OF THE BORDER.

>> I THINK WE ARE MISSING A LOT OF INDICATIONS.

AS A SCIENTIST, IT IS INTERESTING TO SINK AND FIND THE INFORMATION.

>> Reporter: IN THE MEANTIME, LIFEGUARDS EXPECT THE DROWNINGS TO CONTINUE.

THE WORK IS TAKING ITS TOLL.

>> IT IS NOT JUST PEOPLE FROM MEXICO AND SOUTH AMERICA.

WE CAN SEE RUSSIANS, AND A LOT OF OTHER PEOPLE.

>> Reporter: SOME OF THE STORIES ARE TYPICAL TO FORGET.

ONE MAN TRIED TO DIG A HOLE ON THE FENCE.

>> GOING BACK TO THE GUY THAT DUG UNDERNEATH THE FENCE, HE GOT STUCK.

THE TIDE WAS COMING IN.

HE WAS BASICALLY UNDERWATER EVERY TIME A WAVE WOULD COME IN.

>> Reporter: THANKFULLY, THE RESULT WAS A SUCCESSFUL RESCUE.

KPBS NEWS.

>>> THIS NEXT STORY WAS AMONG OUR MOST POPULAR.

THIS WEEKEND, KPBS .ORG WAS A STEPPING UP CRIMINAL ENFORCEMENT.

THE SOUTH SUZUKI AREA, SAYS THAT ONE LOCAL CITY IS MOVING IN A DIFFERENT DIRECTION.

OFFICIALS SAY IT IS WORKING.

>> Reporter: HE IS DRIVING AROUND HIGHLAND AVENUE IN THE NATIONAL CITY.

>> LOOK AT THAT.

RIGHT IN FRONT OF US.

>> Reporter: HE WAS A CASEWORKER ON THE HOMELESS OUTREACH TEAM FOR THE CITY.

THIS WAS ON PRIVATE PROPERTY, RIGHT IN FRONT OF A WELLS FARGO.

THEY HAVE TO ASK THE OWNER TO MOVE IT.

HIS PARTNER INTERRUPTS.

SHE RECOGNIZES HIM.

>> OH YES.

WE COULD TALK TO HIM.

>> Reporter: IT TURNS OUT THAT IT IS GONZALES.

SOMETHING THEY HAVE BEEN TAUGHT ABOUT FOR MONTHS NOW.

THEY ARE HERE TO TELL HIM THAT HE HAS TO MOVE HIS THINGS.

HE'S HAPPY.

HE SAYS THE TWO OUTREACH WORKERS HAVE BEEN HELPING HIM FOR ONCE NOW.

HE HAS THINGS TO HEAT UP COFFEE ON COLD DAYS.

>> [ SPEAKING IN A GLOBAL LANGUAGE ].

>> Reporter: THE NATIONAL CITY'S HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING THIS TO REACH OUT.

IN MOST CITIES, THIS KIND OF THING IS THEM GOING OUT AND TALKING HOMELESSNESS.

THEY WILL CALL THE POLICE.

THIS IS LIKE SAN DIEGO.

WE ARE GOING TO LOOK AT OUTREACH AS A VITAL PART OF IT.

IT IS PROACTIVE, AND TRIES TO LOOK AT SERVICES TO WHERE PEOPLE ARE.

THIS IS INSTEAD OF THEM WALKING FOR A SHELTER.

THEY SHOULD BE THE ONES LEADING THAT.

THIS DR. IS AN ASSISTANT PROFESSOR FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF SAN DIEGO.

>> I'M INCREASINGLY RELYING ON LAW ENFORCEMENT.

THIS IS SUPPOSED TO DEAL WITH CRIMINAL CONTENT, AND DEALING WITH SULFUR PROBLEMS.

THEY ARE NOT ADEQUATELY TRAINED TO NECESSARILY PROVIDE, INFORMED CARE.

>> Reporter: THAT IS THE DEFAULT FOR ANY CITIES.

IT WORRIES ABOUT DRUG USE AND VIOLENCE.

THE CITY HAD ITS OWN HOT TAKE FROM POLICE OFFICERS.

THEY REACHED OUT TO PEOPLE ON THE STREET.

SOMETIMES WITHIN BOTH CONNECTIONS.

THEY WERE JUGGLING OTHER POLICE WORK.

THEY DIDN'T HAVE THE TRAINING TO STAY IN TOUCH.

OFFICIALS SAY THE APPROACH WASN'T HELPING PEOPLE GET INTO HOUSING.

THE NATIONAL CITY STARTED SOMETHING DIFFERENT.

THEY HIRED TWO TRAIN CASEWORKERS, PEOPLE WHO HAVE EXPERIENCE WITH OUTREACH.

KIANA WILLIAMSON, AND HECTOR WILSON.

THEY CALLED IT THE HOMELESS OUTREACH AND MOBILE ENGAGEMENT TEAM.

THE HOME TEAM.

>> THE MORE YOU KNOW ABOUT THEM, THE MORE YOU CAN ASSIST THEM.

>> Reporter: WE CANNOT BE AFRAID TO TALK ABOUT HOW PEOPLE TALK ABOUT IT.

>> WE NEED TO BE ABLE TO CONNECT THEM TO A SERVICE.

I DON'T WANT TO JUST PROVIDE HYGIENE KITS.

THAT IS NOT EYE -- OUTREACH.

OUTREACH IS ENGAGING IN INDIVIDUALS.

THEY ARE HAVING TO HOLD HOPE FOR THEM.

>> Reporter: THEY SPEND THE DAY DRIVING AND TALKING AROUND.

STOPPING BY, CHECKING UNDER FREEWAYS, AND KNOCKING ON DOORS.

THEY HAVE THEIR OWN TRUCK THAT THEY USED TO GIVE PEOPLE RIDES.

THEY HAVE A LOT OF DISCRETION.

IF THEY NEED TO, THEY WILL SPEND A WHOLE DAY WITH ONE PERSON.

HELPING THEM GET TO THE DMV TO APPLY FOR A STATE I.D.

YOU MIGHT HAVE HEARD STORIES LIKE THIS BEFORE.

20 OF NONPROFIT WORKERS DO THIS KIND OF OUTREACH.

WHAT SETS THE HOME TEAM APART, IS THAT IT IS A CITY UNIT.

THEY STILL HAVE RESOURCES, SUPPORT, AND DIRECT CONNECTIONS TO OTHER CITY PERMITS.

>> WE ARE BASICALLY MAKING THE MOLD OF THIS PROGRAM DIFFERENT FROM WHAT WE HAVE.

WE STARTED IT.

WE ARE ABLE TO WORK THINGS IN A WAY THAT MAKES IT EASIER FOR US.

IT IS BETTER FOR US TO GO OUT THERE AND APPLY.

>> Reporter: THE APPROACH IS BASED ON AN OUTREACH TEAM IN NEW MESA.

IN THAT PROGRAM'S FIRST YEAR, HOMELESSNESS DECREASED BY A THIRD GRADE IT HAS NOT GONE BACK UP.

THIS IS BECAUSE THESE TYPES OF PROGRAMS CAN REALLY WORK.

IT HAS ONLY BEEN ABOUT 10 MONTHS.

OFFICIALS SAY IT IS ALREADY MAKING A DIFFERENCE HERE.

>> WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO GO OUT ACROSS THE STREET.

WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO CLEAR THE STREETS.

AT THE SAME TIME, WE KNOW THAT EVERYBODY IS OUT THERE.

>> Reporter: THE NATIONAL CITY IS A LITTLE BIT OF A CROSSROADS.

IT THE CITY OF SAN DIEGO PAST THE CONTROVERSIAL CAMPING BID.

THEY GAVE THE CITY MORE POWER TO FORCE UNHOUSED RESIDENTS TO MOVE.

SINCE THEN, THEY ARE SEEING MORE AND MORE PEOPLE BEING RECOGNIZED.

>> WE HAVEN'T SEEN THAT GUY BEFORE.

>> CHULA VISTA TO THE SOUTH IS ALREADY CONSIDERING ITS OWN PROGRAM.

SOME OF THEM SAY THEY ARE FEELING PRESSURE TO DO THE SAME.

SOME OF THEM WARNED THAT IT MIGHT UNDERMINE THE HOME TEAM.

>> IT IS GOING TO HURT THE RELATIONSHIPS THAT OUTREACH WORKERS MADE.

>> Reporter: THIS IS A HOMELESSNESS ADVOCATE.

UNTIL LAST YEAR, SHE WAS LIVING IN A TENT IN DOWNTOWN SAN DIEGO.

>> IT IS GOING TO CAUSE HARM.

IT IS GOING TO ADD MORE TRAUMA.

THIS IS TO PEOPLE WHO ALREADY HAVE A VERY TRAUMATIC LIFE.

>> Reporter: THEY SHOW HOW DECISIONS MADE IN ONE CITY CAN TOTALLY TRANSFORM WHAT HAPPENS.

DECISIONS LIKE AN ENCAMPMENT BAND, -- BAN.

KPBS NEWS.

>> THAT IS AN EXAMPLE OF THE FUTURE REPORTING FROM KPBS.

LIVE ON OUR YOUTUBE PAGE, SUBSCRIBE TO GET NEW CONTENT.

YOUTUBE IS WHERE YOU CAN FIND THE NEW SIX PART SERIES, WHERE'S MY VILLAGE?

IT IS ABOUT THE CHILD CARE CRISIS.

LAST WEEKEND, WE HOSTED A CHILD RESOURCE CARE FOR FAMILIES AND PROVIDERS.

KPBS REPORTER, AND CREATOR OF THE SERIES, TALKING AS FAMILIES NEED THE HELP READ >> Reporter: FAMILIES AND CHILDCARE PROVIDERS IN THE KPBS COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT PROGRAM, ARE LEARNING MORE ABOUT THE CHILD CARE SYSTEM.

THIS IS IN SAN DIEGO.

THIS CAME AFTER THE LAUNCH OF A SIX EPISODE SERIES, WHERE'S MY VILLAGE?

IT FOLLOWS THE JOURNEY OF DIFFERENT PEOPLE NAVIGATING CHILDCARE.

>> I THINK EVERYONE THAT HAS A CHILD KNOWS ABOUT IT.

THEY KNOW THEY CAN RELATE TO IT.

>> Reporter: SOURCES FEATURED IN THE SERIES, SHARE THEIR EXPERIENCES.

>> WE HAVE LOTS OF STAY-AT-HOME MOMS.

THEY ARE REALLY TELLING THE STORY.

THE WORD STAY-AT-HOME MOM, YOU KIND OF THINK YOU HAVE A HOME COOKED MEAL.

THAT IS REALLY NEVER A STORY.

>> I'M TRYING TO LET THEM KNOW, WE ARE NOT GOING TO BE BIG ON IT.

WE WANT TO LET THEM KNOW, I'M A REGULAR PERSON WHO HAS AN OKAY JOB.

THIS IS NOT WHAT YOU SHOULD GET.

WE ARE IN A LOT OF DEBT.

WE KNOW THAT IT WAS A GOOD WAY TO SHOW AND EXPOSE TO EVERYONE, THAT WE ARE NOT MAKING ALL THIS MONEY LIKE EVERYONE THINKS.

>> Reporter: FAMILIES LOOKING FOR CHILD CARE GOT SOME GUIDANCE FROM THE RESOURCES AT THE EVENT.

LIKE THIS FAMILY.

IT DOMINIC IS IN THE NAVY, AND REBECCA IS A TEACHER.

THEY WELCOME THEIR BABY, SYLVIA, FIVE WEEKS AGO.

>> WE DON'T HAVE FAMILY OR THAT AS A CHILD CARE OPTION.

I THINK THERE IS A LOT OF ANXIETY.

HAVING ANOTHER CHILD CARE ISSUE.

I'M A TEACHER.

I GO BACK TO WORK IN AUGUST.

WE ARE LOOKING FOR CHILD CARE FOR THEN.

WE ARE JUST REALLY STARTING.

WE ARE FALLING FAR BEHIND RIGHT NOW.

>> THEY BOTH SAID THEY FEEL LOST.

THEY WERE DISAPPOINTED AT THE LACK OF SUPPORT.

>> WE NEED SOME GUIDANCE AND SOME HELP.

IN THE CITY, I WAS EXPECTING MORE AVAILABILITY OF RESOURCES.

>> IT SEEMS LIKE THEY HAVE LOTS OF MILITARY MEMBERS RIGHT HERE.

THEY WERE TRYING TO LOOK AT THE NETWORKS THAT PEOPLE HAVE.

THEY GROW UP AND LIVE WITH THEY GROW UP WORRIED IT WAS GOING TO BE EASY TO FIND THESE RESOURCES.

I'M SURE THEY ARE OUT THERE.

>> Reporter: THE FAMILY DID CONNECT WITH THE YMCA.

PROVIDING THEM WITH A LIST OF CHILDCARE PROVIDERS.

DESPITE JUST BEING OUTSIDE THE SUBSIDY AGE LIMITS.

>> THEY DECIDED ABOUT THE COUNTS IN THAT HOUSE.

>> Reporter: THE CONVERSATIONS FLOWED.

MANY ARE STILL LEFT WONDERING WHAT IS NEXT.

>> WE CAN HAVE A LOT OF CONVERSATION.

>> Reporter: ADVOCATES AT THE EVENT, ANNOUNCED THAT THEY ARE PUSHING FOR A VALID MEASURE TO PUSH CHILDCARE IN THE 2026 ELECTION.

>> Reporter: TONYA THORNE, KPBS NEWS.

>> WE ARE ENTERING A NEW EPISODE OF WHERE'S MY VILLAGE EVERY MONDAY?

YOU CAN STREAM THE ENTIRE SERIES RIGHT NOW.

KPBS.ORG/WHERE'S MY VILLAGE.

WE HOPE YOU ENJOY THIS LOOK.

KPBS THIS WEEK.

THANKS FOR JOINING US.