HOME
If you're dealing with physical or emotional abuse, anxiety, grief, neglect, or just need someone to talk to, we can help. Our toll-free number is 1-866-875-7233 |
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| Serving Youth For 32 Years | |||
| Founded in 1975, The Shelter was the first facility in Albuquerque to provide safety and crisis intervention to homeless youth. The Shelter provides emergency services and diverse programs to more than 300 youth every year. Who we serve: youth ages 11 to 17 who have been abused, neglected, abandoned, or exploited - and those who have runaway. We offer temporary emergency shelter while we work to arrange safe and secure long-term placements. Our goal: to place each young person into a safe and stable environment. Many are reunited with families after counseling. Others are placed with relatives, foster families, or adoptive parents. Some move into transitional housing, while others enroll in vocational training programs. |
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| Life at the Shelter | |||
| Each young person coming into The Shelter meets with a Therapist to develop an individualized Treatment Plan. A Community Support Worker then helps the client establish a Service Plan to map the path to accomplishing their therapeutic goals as well as gaining assistance in accessing additional community services. The Shelter's structured environment helps residents who come from households without positive guidelines learn to make better choices. They follow a daily schedule and receive positive reinforcement of new habits and attitudes from The Shelter's Youth Care Workers. Clients enrolled in local schools or GED programs are expected to attend and participate Many Shelter youth have histories of physical and emotional abuse, neglect, and abandonment. It is often difficult for them to communicate and trust is something that doesn't come easily. Residents are able to improve their self-image, respect for others, and communication skills with the help of knowledgeable and compassionate staff trained in creating positive relationships. |
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| Quotes from Youth at The Shelter | |||
| "They teach you about life. Whenever you need someone to talk to, they're here." "They aren't going to sugar-coat it. They'll tell you the truth." "You get to hang out with friends. People your own age. You get to know the staff. You get to learn about a new life." "The way they run things, it makes me feel safe here." |
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| Case Study | |||
| 12 year old "Laura" lived at home with her mother and stepfather. The stepfather repeatedly molested her after moving into the home the previous year. Laura had nowhere to turn, so she ran to the streets where older teens exploited her sexually. After living on the streets for a few months, she returned home where her mother continued to defend the stepfather while he continued to abuse her. Laura finally turned to her school counselor, who brought her to the safety of The Shelter. A treatment plan was developed for Laura, who is participating in individual and group therapy while awaiting placement in a safe and supportive environment. |
