Campland on the Bay has always provided refuge for tourists on the shore of Mission Bay. Now, the local resort is raising money to help local homeless youth. “Campland is pretty community-minded and we have such a good relationship with our guests that we thought it would be a perfect match,” said Kim McAnally, Campland spokesperson. “A lot of our return guests are really loyal to us and we thought getting them involved with a project that benefits the interests of children and youth would work.” Starting in late June, Campland began inviting guests to add $1 to their bill to benefit the locally-based Homeless Youth Outreach Project. The donations are voluntary. “We wanted to pick a small and local charity where our money could be spent locally,” McAnally said. “Our staff was really passionate and excited when they were discussing it.” Partnered with national organization Hotels That Help, Campland heard presentations from five charities before choosing the 4-year-old outreach project that is part of the Children’s Advocacy Institute within the University of San Diego School of Law. All the money raised at Campland will go directly to the project that provides homeless 15- to 21-year-olds locally with the resources they need to work and find housing — filling in where public services are unable to help. “Our job is to go out to the communities where these kids are staying and living and provide them with the advocacy, the guidance and the tools — whatever it is they need to get off the streets,” said Kriste Draper, director of the outreach project. Draper said the project helps 250 to 300 homeless children annually and is involved with 15 different juvenile and homeless agencies in San Diego. A small program with Draper as its only full-time staff member, she said Campland’s donations would have a significant impact. “Campland has allowed us to basically double our operating budget,” Draper said. “This means when I have a homeless kid who’s ready to go to college, I’m now going to have a scholarship fund so that if the kid needs a book to study for class, I’m now going to be able to provide that.” Draper said the money will also allow the outreach project to create an emergency fund. That fund will be used as a safety net for homeless kids trying to maintain stable lives, including paying for rent and medical bills. “With these kids, they don’t have anyone to call,” Draper said. “What we’ll be able to do is to be that emergency cushion so we don’t see those kids ending up being homeless again.” Campland on the Bay is located at 2211 Pacific Beach Drive on Mission Bay and online at www.campland.com. For more information about the Homeless Youth Outreach Program, visit www.caichildlaw.org.