History

Hearts & Homes for Youth, originally known as Boys’ Home of Montgomery County, began its long history of helping youth in need in February, 1964. At a time when many young men were labeled “delinquent” or “incorrigible” and incarcerated rather than advocated for, Mel Feldman, an attorney, began a quest to change the way that these young men were viewed and treated. Since that time, professionals, government agencies, community groups and individuals who shared the same vision- to provide care in a home-like community environment where each young person could grow and mature in a wholesome, family setting - have been dedicated to continuing his quest.

The Honorable Alfred D. Noyes, Judge of the Juvenile Court of Montgomery County, agreed with Mr. Feldman’s assessment and, with a group of like-minded supporters, incorporated The Boys’ Home of Montgomery County, Inc. as a non-profit agency. The first “Boys’ Home” had humble beginnings in the attic of an old farmhouse in Rockville, MD., which was being run as a halfway house for psychiatric patients. Four boys were housed in two rooms, attending school during the day, and  supervised and counseled in the morning and in the evening.  They proved that Judge Noyes and his supporters were indeed correct: In a home-like environment, supervised by caring, supportive role models, and with counseling and direction, youth previously labeled “delinquent” could become valuable members of society.

And so the dream became a reality, and reality grew from two rooms to two houses, included homes for females as well as males, and expanded services to fit the ever-changing needs of the children and youth that we serve. The list of people who supported this dream continued to grow: Judge John C. Tracey, Dr. Cyril Hardy, Robert Bridges, and Rex Smith, to name a few. Through their efforts, and the efforts of hundreds of other dedicated supporters, the agency, now known as Hearts & Homes for Youth, has continued to grow and flourish as the need for services has increased.

Hearts & Homes for Youth now includes the only shelter in Montgomery County specifically for children and youth, eight group homes, a program for pregnant & parenting teens, two independent living programs, a therapeutic foster care program, a Runaway Prevention Program, Art and Recreational Therapy programs.  Above all, we have staff and a band of supporters, dedicated to our mission of helping troubled, abused, neglected or runaway children and youth to become independent, productive adults.  We care for them "As If They Are Our Own".