Youth Futures Shelter Home

Six years ago, I began a journey! My journey started with a wish to help youth who were struggling, youth who had no safe place to go, and those who had no one to turn to.  My hope was to create a safe space where youth could come both for shelter and peace.  Being a kid is difficult for most, and seemingly impossible for others.  I had a difficult childhood myself, and so have my own kids.  I think few teens grow up without some kind of struggle...to find themselves, to understand life and to create a path for themselves. 
     With the pressing need to be there for these kids, I soon found out just how difficult it can be for some kids.  I found out that some of these kids literally had no place to stay.  Some were kicked out, some ran away, some left unbearable circumstances for reasons they didn't understand.  These kids were literally camping in the hills of Utah, and sleeping in abandoned buildings.  If they were lucky they could find a place on a couch of a friend for a few nights.  Sometimes, kids fall into bad cirucmstances; they must do whatever it takes to survive.  Some of those things are unspeakable, and some are just unfortunate. 
     I made a choice to take a chance at my dream to open this safe space for youth.  There were many barriers in the way.  Last year, with the help of Laura Warburton and Rep. Gage Froerer a law was changed that allowed me to become licensed to open a Homeless Youth Shelter facility.  This year, I saw my dream come true and with the help of my partner Scott Catuccio, my trusted friend Melinda Budge and many many more community members, we opened
Youth Futures Shelter Home in Ogden, Utah.  
          It took 2 weeks before the first kiddo came in our doors, but since then, we have not had a single night that we didn't have kids staying in the shelter.  We serve 3 meals a day to both shelter kids and kids who just drop-in for the day.  We provide a home for them, with all the basic necessities and some niceties that they've never had before.  We provide case management to help these kids become self-sufficient and contributing members of society, or to re-unite with family or friends who can help them through the rest of their teen years.  We help them get back enrolled in school, find jobs and provide activities and skill building to create a stronger base that they can use to face the world tomorrow. 
     You have the awesome opportunity to help us continue to provide quality services for these youth who need us so much.  These kids deserve to have a place that they can go when they have no place else.  We need your help to keep our doors open, so that we can change the lives of these kids. 

Here are some awesome things that we have done so far.  YOU can be a part of helping this continue for years to come. 
February 19th through July 1st, 2015
Youth Futures has provided
370 shelter night stays
1770 meals have been provided
112 times our resource room has been accessed
62 times youth have accessed drop-in services
Isn't it amazing what we've already been able to do!  This is literally the dream come true that I always hoped it could be.  Thank you for your generous contribution and for believing in our youth!!All funds will go directly to Youth Futures a non-profit 501(C)3 organization.  If you would like a receipt please contact Kristen for a tax deductible receipt at the website listed below.
Please visit our website to learn more about Youth Futures!!
www.yfut.org