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Fifty years ago, when Shannone Hart was 7 years old, she met Geoff Birnbaum, who recruited her parents to be foster parents to 12 at-risk youth. They went to the Attention Home, the first foster facility established by nonprofit organization Youth Homes. They became one big family with the kids there, she said. “My mom […]

When I toured Youth Home’s Tom Roy Youth Guidance Home in April 2025, it was to see the location of the organization’s one bed set aside for youth experiencing a crisis in Missoula. Amy Schaer, the organization’s CEO, told me then that Youth Homes was planning an entire group home for youth in crisis, who would otherwise […]

MISSOULA — After two years of rapid fundraising and construction, Youth Homes celebrated a major milestone Wednesday with the ribbon-cutting of a new therapeutic shelter designed to serve Missoula’s most vulnerable children. The Birnbaum Youth Home will open its doors to youth ages 10 to 17 who might otherwise end up in emergency rooms, jail cells, […]

Missoula, Mont. — Youth Homes opened its new Birnbaum Home in Missoula, with children set to begin arriving on September 15th. The nonprofit cut the ribbon on the new home on Wednesday. The facility has been built for kids ages 10 to 17 who are going through crises and need a place to stay. The […]

MISSOULA, Mont. — A Missoula nonprofit is celebrating the opening of its new youth home and therapeutic crisis shelter. The Birnbaum Youth Home provides emergency shelter and support for children ages 10 to 17. The new home honors Geoff Birnbaum after his sudden passing in 2025. Birnbaum was the executive director of Youth Homes for 42 […]

BOZEMAN, Mont. – Governor Greg Gianforte joined U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Scott Turner to discuss the importance of securing stable housing for foster youth transitioning out of care. “Housing is a key component of the American dream and foster youth transitioning out of care deserve support as they work hard […]

Hayden Homes, a Central Oregon-based homebuilder and member of the National Association of Home Builders, has joined the Builder Giving Challenge, a nationwide initiative uniting 17 homebuilders in a commitment to raise $10 million over the next two years for nonprofit organizations focused on strengthening communities, expanding housing access, and improving lives across the country. Together, […]

After Zoe Johnson entered foster care at age 9 or 10, she lived in roughly 40 places over the next several years. Johnson said that while her life improved when she turned 18, she faced a new kind of housing crisis — finding an affordable place to live in Missoula. Although Johnson received a housing […]

MISSOULA, Mont. — Youth Homes raised a record-breaking $100,000 through this year’s Missoula Marathon Run4Kids fundraiser, marking the most money collected in the partnership’s nearly 20-year history. The annual fundraiser supports Youth Homes programs for children and teens facing abuse, neglect, emotional trauma and substance use issues. This year, 64 Run4Kids participants exceeded the program’s minimum […]