Yes To Youth Montgomery County Youth Services celebrated the completed expansion of its BridgeWay Home emergency youth shelter with an open house Oct. 4, according to a news release.
The BridgeWay Home serves as a short-term shelter for abused, homeless, neglected and sex-trafficked youth ages 10-17, according to the nonprofit's website.
In a nutshell
According to the new release, The BridgeWay Home emergency youth shelter underwent two phases of expansion:
Phase one, completed in May 2021, entailed building two new cottages to double the shelter’s capacity.
- The shelter went from being able to house 15 total youth to 30 total youth—15 in each house.
- A commercial-grade kitchen
- Dining for up to 50 guests
- A living room
- Counseling and administrative offices
- A sensory room
- A game room
Zooming out
Since 1979, Yes To Youth has provided youth and families services such as crisis intervention, counseling and suicide prevention services, according to the news release. The nonprofit’s programs include:
- Decisions, parenting and youth skills group program
- The BridgeWay Home emergency youth shelter
- Prevention presentations and crisis counseling in schools
- Skills development
- 888-756-8682—a 24-hour crisis hotline
What they’re saying
- “It is so exciting to have this incredible space open and available to serve the youth in Montgomery County who need a nurturing and inviting home to gain stability and security,” CEO Michele Kooken said in the news release. “We are incredibly thankful for everybody who made this vision a reality. Together, we are making a difference in the lives of the youth we serve.”
- “These buildings will benefit our most vulnerable children for decades to come,” Chief Compliance Officer Penny Wilson said in the news release. “We are proud to continue the legacy of the volunteers who started this program, so many years ago.”
Learn more
Learn more about the nonprofit by visiting its website at www.sayyestoyouth.org.
