Youth Homes, Inc. fosters the healthy development of children and families in need, by offering comprehensive services to support family preservation and reunification, or to seek permanency through alternative placements. This nonprofit agency has provided foster care and group homes for children since 1975. YHI services include foster parent training, multiple group therapy, cross-site consultation, and intake/assessment/referral. Current figures show YHI is involved in the lives of 600 families and 800 of the 10,000 Charlotte/Mecklenburg County region youngsters identified each year, to be suffering from abuse, neglect, or abandonment. Second Wind Group Home is a nine to twelve month residence for five adolescent males referred by juvenile court, after having been identified at risk of training school commitment. The residence also is known as the Carolina Panthers’ Courage House, the team’s chosen children’s charity since 1999. By interacting with the boys, Panthers become role models. The Gateway Transitional Living Home provides a group home placement for six youth, aged sixteen or seventeen, with no permanent family situation. In preparation for independent living these boys and girls attend school, maintain a part time job, assist with housekeeping, and receive training in daily life skills. Results are positive each year, when these children complete either a GED or earn a high school diploma, and move into college or other job preparation. Foster homes constitute the third important residential setting. YHI professionals train parents to accept this responsibility, offer ongoing assessment of the relationship between foster parents and foster children, and provide assistance as needed. Mecklenburg County, corporations, foundations, faith communities, and individuals provide the bulk of financial assistance to this private agency. PUMC members have volunteered at YHI since 2000.

PUMC History