News

Local nonprofit buys residence for homeless teenage girls

By Bill Moss, Published: July 23, 2016

Homes For Youth, a local non-profit working to provide safe, stable and appropriate housing for homeless youth in Henderson County, has purchased a house to serve as a home for teenaged girls.

The group closed this week on a local residence that will be updated and furnished with the goal of housing five or six homeless teenagers and full time houseparents. Working closely with Baptist Children’s Home, the group has selected a home which, with minimal modification, will meet space and safety standards for state licensing. It is located centrally within the county. This will make it possible for those girls facing relocation to another county to remain in their home schools and to increase the odds of high school graduation.

Currently, there is no licensed home in the Henderson County. Not only will Homes For Youth operate a home at the highest level of safety and care standards, but it will be able to serve both those girls in the custody of child services and those identified by our school officials.
Homes For Youth has been working to raise community awareness of the problem of homeless and displaced youth in Henderson County. Last year, the organization began a program to support Foster Families. Working with county Department of Social Services (DSS), Homes For Youth has sponsored information sessions on Becoming a Foster Parent. It has also supported the DSS Foster Care Program by helping to provide comfortable settings for training classes, arranging meals and childcare at classes, and purchasing much needed items for the clothing and equipment closet run by the Foster Parent Association.
Homes For Youth was established in 2014, as a grassroots movement which began with research conducted by members of Henderson County Churches Uniting and spread throughout the community to include interested and concerned citizens.

Homes For Youth is a member of the Henderson County Homeless Coalition and has 501(c)(3)tax exempt status. For further information, to find out how you can become a foster parent, to provide financial assistance, or to schedule a presentation, please visit the Homes For Youth website: www.homesforyouth.org. Checks may also be mailed directly to Homes For Youth, PO Box 1581, Flat Rock, NC 28731.