Youth Homes provides emergency shelters, therapeutic group homes, and counseling for youth who have experienced abuse, neglect, emotional trauma, and substance use problems.
The Latest from Youth Homes
Birnbaum Youth Home
We are getting close to opening a new therapeutic youth crisis shelter to provide a safe alternative to CPS offices, the ER, detention, or the streets. Help us complete this critical project.
Run4Kids
Support our Run4Kids team and help us get one step closer to opening the doors to the Birnbaum Youth Home – a new therapeutic crisis shelter.
Western Cider Grateful Glass Fundraiser
Western Cider is proud to host the Youth Homes for June’s GRATEFUL GLASS. We will receive $1 from every glass sold on every Tuesday in June, with every dollar going towards the Birnbaum Youth Home.
Measureable Impact
Educational Success
- 80% improved or maintained their grades in school
- 76% attended school 4-5 days per week
- 60% attend daily
Physical Health Needs
- 90% had their immediate physical health needs met:
- well-child visit
- eye exams
- dental care
- specialized care
Mental Health Support
- 95% were connected to mental health services
Cultural Enrichment
- 92% completed cultural/ethnic identity assessments
- 70% met some or exceeded identified cultural goals
Case Plan Achievement
- 40% met three-fourths of their objectives
- 60% met at least half of their objectives
Safety Outcomes
- 44% reduction in youth incident
- 0 incidents in the most serious safety categories
Ashley's Story of Success
Ashley’s mother could not provide adequate and consistent supervision because of her drug abuse. Ashley has never known her birth father, but he is rumored to be in the mafia. Ashley’s early childhood was marred by sexual abuse at the hands of a foster brother, and she suffered from depression. When the pressures came down on Ashley, she made a serious suicide attempt, so she was placed with Youth Homes. Ashley responded well to the consistency Youth Homes offered, compared to the chaos and abuse she had endured for years. Ashley did well with nurturing, individualized attention, clear directions, explanations of the consequences, and positive reinforcement. She learned to advocate and express herself in a positive manner, as well as accept feedback and redirection. At 15, she is hoping to go to a healthy foster home where she can become a “normal” teenage girl.
