News + Press

MISSOULA — When thousands of runners take to the streets this weekend for the Missoula Marathon, 60 participants will be running for more than personal records or Boston Marathon qualifying times. For the 19th consecutive year, Youth Homes has partnered with the marathon through its “Run for Kids” team, raising funds for children facing abuse, neglect and emotional […]

Youth Homes is a nonprofit that supports children and teens who face abuse, neglect, emotional trauma and substance use issues in Western Montana. The organization is opening a new therapeutic shelter, the Birnbaum Youth Home, in September that will support youth in crisis. There are several ways to support Youth Homes. Western Cider is hosting […]

The Missoula Marathon is officially sold out over a month before race day. According to organizers, a record-breaking 1,700 runners signed up to cross the starting line. The 26.2-mile race is drawing people to Missoula from all over the world. Run Wild Missoula said participants will come from all 50 states and 11 different countries. […]

MISSOULA, MT — Jackson Crawford and Kiona Stenerson from two of Missoula’s Rotary clubs turned litter along Mullan Road into something meaningful, organizing a cleanup of the first 11 miles of the upcoming Missoula Marathon route. The effort connects Run Wild Missoula, Rotary’s Epic Day of Service, and a shared mission to support youth at […]

Kids living in abusive homes or who are going through the court system sometimes don’t have anywhere to stay. When that happens, specialized youth shelters care for them, but beds can be full. There are currently seven youth shelter facilities statewide. They serve kids who have nowhere to go, said Amy Schaer, CEO of Youth […]

Last week, I had the honor of attending and speaking at a campaign kickoff event for Youth Homes to raise the final funds needed to complete a new therapeutic crisis shelter for kids. Geoff Birnbaum, my dad, served for 42 years as executive director of Youth Homes. Even after his retirement, he remained deeply involved—attending […]

Teens in crisis in Missoula have limited places to go beyond the emergency room and juvenile detention, said Amy Schaer, CEO of Youth Homes. “An alternative is needed to best serve those kids in a way that can help get the crisis resolved but also support set up for those next steps,” Schaer told Montana […]

MISSOULA, Mont. — A new therapeutic shelter for kids in crisis in Missoula moved closer to opening as Youth Homes launched a capital campaign and honored a longtime leader tied to the project. The new building is called the Birnbaum Youth Home. It is named for former executive director Geoff Birnbaum. Organizers reported the project […]

About 50 people gathered in the sunshine outside the Youth Homes office Monday afternoon for a kick-off event launching the public phase of a capital campaign for a new therapeutic youth crisis shelter. Youth Homes provides support services and group homes to youth and families in Missoula, Helena, Kalispell and Polson. In 2023, its first-ever […]