Hearts and Homes for Youth provides what every child deserves – a home, a family, and the opportunity to realize their hopes and dreams.

The word childhood conjures up images of playing ball, climbing trees, school, homework, mealtimes, and coming home to a warm, secure and safe bed – routines most of us take for granted.

But, for far too many children, “childhood” is simply a time for survival.  Whether it’s due to abuse, neglect, addiction or death of a caregiver, many children are “on their own” and with lives that are difficult and bleak at best.  That’s where Hearts & Homes for Youth comes in. We treat every child AS IF THEY WERE OUR OWN.

Hearts & Homes for Youth takes children with mental, emotional, and deep trust issues due to trauma and lack of attachment, and couple them with nurturing and trained caregivers; a surrogate family who form lasting bonds with the children.  This occurs because we put the child’s interests above anything else.

Once the safe and secure bonds begin to form, these children flourish.   They grow and mature intellectually, emotionally, socially and morally.

The youth in our care are referred to us by the Department of Juvenile Services as an alternative to detention, or the Department of Social Services to remove them from an unsafe environment. Myiesha was a young woman who was removed from an unsafe environment. Myiesha came to Hearts & Homes having  just turned age 18. Her mother, addicted to drugs, gave her up to an uncle and various relatives. Myiesha endured years of abuse, neglect and was essentially discarded. Throughout her tumultuous upbringing Myiesha did not have positive role models, trusting relationships, unconditional love or structure and the boundaries a young girl needs to develop into a productive, independent young lady.

Pregnant when she came to Hearts & Homes and into the foster home of Ms. Poindexter,  Myeshia chose to keep her baby.  We realized that given the proper guidance Myeshia could and would bond with her foster parent as well as learn proper parenting skills and bond with her baby at the same time.

With time, Myeisha built a strong relationship with her foster mother, enrolled in college, held a job, and made a good life for herself and her son.

Since 1964 Hearts & Homes for Youth has provided homes and families for more than 40,000 children and teen mothers with their babies in group homes, emergency shelter care, therapeutic group homes, foster care, independent living, and a homeless shelter. Each night, up to 176 children are at “home” in a safe, secure and loving place where the are cared for as if they were our own.

You know these children. Just look into the faces, the eyes, the smiles of your own or the kids next door. You will see and know the children and youth of Hearts & Homes.

Please join us and the thousands of others in the community who have literally saved the young lives of so many over the years and the many more yet to come and for whom you will come to care as if they were your own.  We will provide the home and the family. Help us to provide the heart. Click here to see how you can get involved!