About Us

Who We Are

North County Lifeline is an organization of case managers, counselors, therapists, mentors, social service workers, assessment specialists, program developers, mediators, educators, youth leaders, volunteers, interns and administrators.

We are your connection to resources within the community.

We are your Lifeline.

What We're About

• Developing resilient youth
• Nurturing family strengths
• Partnering to solve community problems

Our Mission

To build self-reliance among youth, individuals and families through problem solving, skill-building and accessible community-based services.

Our Vision

• To cultivate strong, cohesive families
• To foster leadership in the community
• To build better service access to clients through multi-faceted collaborations
• To generate new funding strategies to expand and enhance services
• To utilize data for program improvement
• To attract and retain exceptional staff and volunteers
• To anticipate and respond to community needs
• And through our vision, to redefine the social service delivery framework

Our Story

In 1969, a citizen's steering committee in the Tri-City communities of Carlsbad, Oceanside and Vista, California formed to explore ways of meeting the concerns of local youth and their families. Motivated by the lack of social services available to address increasing drug abuse, social alienation/isolation and family disruption, leaders from local service clubs, organizations, and educational institutions researched ways to provide assistance to youth and families by offering free and confidential professional services. The steering committee sought to create a place where anyone could come, express their concerns, and receive appropriate assistance.

North County Lifeline began in 1969 with a mission to enhance the positive quality of individual, family, and community life. Due to the widespread use of illegal drugs among the area's youth, initial services were focused in this direction. Recognizing that drug abuse is a symptom of more complex problems, Lifeline worked at the individual, family, and community levels to address the underlying issues that precipitate drug abuse.

In 1973, Lifeline was incorporated as North County Lifeline, Inc., and the members of the steering committee became Lifeline's Board of Directors. Joining the United Way in 1974, Lifeline soon received the Zanville Helping Hand Award at the annual meeting of the United Way of San Diego County for Creative Programming in the Field of Human Care Services. In 1979, Lifeline adopted the name "Lifeline Community Services" to better reflect the agency's community approach to problem solving.

Over the past 40 years, Lifeline has gained significant momentum for program development through a steady rise of grants and service contracts, intern and volunteer assistance, and community outreach, earning a place as one of San Diego County's non-profit leaders for performance-based contracts. From its humble beginnings as a part-time drop-in center, Lifeline has grown to encompass a broad range of programs and services in the areas of youth mentoring and support; counseling and mental health practices; family development; financial literacy and self-sufficiency; legal, mediation and fair housing advocacy; crisis intervention and emergency assistance; tax preparation; and more.

Since coming to Lifeline in 2007, Executive Director Donald Stump has led collaborative efforts with local government, public and private service organizations, businesses, schools, and the faith community to ensure the best possible programs and services for North County residents. Lifeline benefits from a dedicated team of board members, directors, staff, interns and volunteers, all of whom work together to provide comprehensive, creative solutions for individuals, youth, and families in need of assistance.

Learn more about Lifeline's agency history.

Find programs and services.

Service Statistics (FY 2011-12)

Form 990 Tax Document (FY 2010-11)