Youth Homes hosted a ribbon-cutting and reception to open the Birnbaum Youth Home, a new therapeutic shelter in Missoula. Donors, friends, and community partners gathered at the new home to celebrate and tour the new space.
“This shelter will provide a safe and supportive environment for youth aged 10 to 17 who might otherwise end up in emergency rooms, jail cells, psychiatric units, or even the floor of a social worker’s office,” said Amy Schaer, Chief Executive Officer of Youth Homes. “This will be a new and improved shelter, where they can continue their education, maintain their support systems, access mental and physical health services, and work towards regaining a sense of normalcy and belonging.”
The new shelter is named in memory of Geoff Birnbaum, a beloved community member who served as Youth Home’s executive director for 42 years. After his retirement, he remained deeply involved with the organization. Geoff was enthusiastic about building a new therapeutic shelter and served on the capital campaign committee. Unfortunately, Geoff died suddenly in 2025.
“These are exactly the type of kids my dad was so passionate about helping,” said Mona Rogers, Geoff’s daughter. “Our family is incredibly touched that it is named in his memory.”
For years, Youth Homes operated Attention Home, which served a similar purpose and was the first group home they opened nearly 50 years ago. Unfortunately, the challenges caused by the pandemic, workforce shortages, the housing crisis, and inflation led to the closure of Attention Home in 2023. Over the past year, Youth Homes has been fundraising to create a new kind of therapeutic shelter. They received a significant state grant and, with our donors’ support, broke ground last July. Youth will start moving in on September 15.
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Youth Homes is a nonprofit organization caring for children who are facing abuse, neglect, emotional trauma, and substance use problems. Through emergency shelters, therapeutic group homes, and counseling services, they provide a safe refuge for kids while they begin the difficult healing process. Since 1971, they have cared for more than 20,000 children and their families in Western Montana. To learn more, visit youthhomesmt.org.
