Naples, FL (June 2, 2021)
Youth Haven has released a Public Service Announcement (PSA) on Wednesday, June 2, 2021, raising awareness of its Homeless Teen Transitional Living Program. The PSA, which features Merci, a former Rob’s Group Home resident, promotes Youth Haven’s programs and services that support unaccompanied homeless teens.
If you or someone you know meet the following criteria, Youth Haven can help:
- Couch surfing or staying with friends.
- Tired, hungry, alone, or afraid to go home.
- Between the ages of 16 – 19.
Youth Haven’s Homeless Teen Transitional Living Program (HTTLP) is the only program in Collier County for youth experiencing homelessness and in need of assistance in making a successful transition to self-sufficient and sustainable living. By helping them heal from their severe trauma and building skills that promote healthy growth into adulthood, we accomplish this.
The program addresses the various developmental, educational, emotional, social, physical, and mental health needs of homeless youth, utilize individual service plans and offers life skills classes that promote independence and housing readiness.
Youth Haven’s Transitional Living Cottage, Rob’s Group Home, provides comprehensive 24-hour care, with a longer average length of stay for homeless unaccompanied youth ages 16 to 19. Rob’s Group Home offers our homeless teens a safe and caring environment, a place to sleep, and access to intensive case management, educational support, nutritious meals, and medical and mental health services. The program focuses on high school graduation, job readiness, preparing for higher education, and strengthening community connections. Rob’s Group Home is a voluntary residential program with an extensive screening process. Referrals are accepted from our community partners, including local school guidance counselors, social workers, Youth Relations Deputies, and the Juveniles at Risk program. We provide structured Case Management with the expectation of working toward self-sufficiency. Goals are set at intake, and we have a weekly case review to monitor the progress of each plan and address behavior issues.
All of the children & teens that come to Youth Haven have been abused, abandoned, neglected, or homeless. Founded in 1972, Youth Haven was established to fulfill an immediate need for emergency shelter for children who had been removed suddenly from a traumatic home situation. Our 25-acre therapeutic campus houses over 70 youth with a waking staff system that allows for around-the-clock specialized care. Youth Haven views challenges as opportunities in helping each child gain confidence, independence, and success as they continue to strengthen the community they serve, laying the foundation for children and teens to have hope for a brighter, better future.
“It’s crucial that we raise awareness of the programs and services that Youth Haven has available for unaccompanied homeless teens in Collier County. These teens deserve a chance to have a happy and healthy future, and Youth Haven is here to support them in achieving their goals,” said Linda Goldfield, Youth Haven Executive Director.
If you are a teen that needs assistance, please call (239) 687-5157 or email info@youthhavenswfl. For media inquiries, please contact Laura Lafakis, Director of Development, at 239-687-5175 or Laura.Lafakis@youthhavenswfl.org.
To view the video, visit https://youtu.be/XQHL_1EDU6M
About Youth Haven, Inc.
Youth Haven, Inc., a 501(c)(3) non-profit agency, is Collier County’s only emergency and residential emergency shelter for boys and girls ages 6 – 18 who have been removed from their homes due to abuse, neglect, or abandonment. In continuous operation since 1972, Youth Haven’s 25-acre therapeutic campus houses over 70 youth with a waking staff system that allows for around-the-clock specialized care. Also situated on its campus is Rob’s Group Home, Youth Haven’s transitional living cottage, which provides comprehensive 24-hour care, with a longer average length of stay, for homeless unaccompanied teenagers ages 16 -19. Youth Haven is a COA nationally accredited organization, a member agency of the United Way of Collier County, a Naples Children & Education Foundation grant recipient, and holds a 4-star rating from Charity Navigator. Its mission is focused on protecting and empowering children and teens in Southwest Florida through comprehensive care and community collaboration. For more information, please visit youthhavenswfl.org or call 239-774-2904. Follow Youth Haven on social media: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn.