Stockton Youth Center Receives $12.4 Million in Funding

The Hollywood Cares Foundation will use state funds to build a new mental health and youth development center in Stockton.

Updated on Oct. 23, 2026 in Philanthropy

Stockton Youth Center Receives $12.4 Million in Funding

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The California Department of Health Care Services announced a $12.4 million award to the Hollywood Cares Foundation in March 2026. This funding is part of a broader $1.18 billion state investment in behavioral health infrastructure.

Why it matters

The grant supports the new I Am Ready Stockton Youth Center, which aims to bridge local service gaps by offering integrated mental health and career training programs. It is financed by California's 2024 Proposition 1 bond measure.

The $12,440,337 grant is part of a massive $1.18 billion package distributed to 66 different projects statewide. This initiative is designed to support the construction and expansion of mental health infrastructure throughout California.

The players

Hollywood Cares Foundation

An organization founded by Jason Lee in 2022 that focuses on youth development and community health support.

California Department of Health Care Services

The state agency responsible for overseeing and distributing over $1 billion in behavioral health infrastructure funding.

The details

The upcoming I Am Ready Stockton Youth Center will provide a centralized hub for peer respite programs, certified peer support, and personal development services. The facility is being established to consolidate treatment and training under one roof for local youth.

Jason Lee founded the Hollywood Cares Foundation in 2022.
California voters approved the Proposition 1 bond measure in 2024.
The California Department of Health Care Services announced these awards on March 11, 2026.
The Hollywood Cares Foundation received the funding award in March 2026.
The facility is projected to reach completion by January 2028.

Market Landscape

This project fits into a broader state-led consolidation of mental health services intended to centralize care delivery within community settings. By leveraging state bond funding, local organizations are increasingly aligning their operations with large-scale public health infrastructure goals.

Residents in Stockton can expect expanded access to integrated mental health and career training services once the facility opens. These resources aim to provide a more stable support network for local youth seeking development programs.

The takeaway

Large-scale state infrastructure investments are increasingly prioritizing integrated service hubs to address multi-faceted youth needs. Local communities often benefit most when mental health and career training are co-located in a single, accessible facility.