Youth Emergency Shelters
Imagine being a teenager at risk of abuse, neglect or homelessness. Where do you turn for help in finding protection and resolving family issues? Familylinks' Youth Emergency Shelters (YES) provide an excellent answer.
With shelters throughout Pittsburgh and its suburbs, YES houses and helps teens between the ages of 13 and 18. Our caring staff tries to create as normal an experience as possible, offering supervision, structure, counseling and activities. What's more, we engage youth in various programs to help them believe in themselves, learn to cooperate with others, and make positive choices.
YES provides:
- A safe, temporary place to stay.
- Reunification services and counseling.
- Drug, alcohol and mental health counseling and therapy.
- Cultural enrichment activities.
- Independent living skills.
- Routine medical care.
- Schooling through community and educational centers.
- Case management.
- Liaison with Children Youth and Families (CYF) and the court system.
Entering the program
Teens may be referred to the shelters by Allegheny and surrounding county Children, Youth and Family Services or the juvenile justice system. They may be either court-ordered or placed through a voluntary agreement signed by parents or guardians.
