Our History…
Initially known as Shelby Youth Attention Lodge, we opened our doors and provided shelter for at-risk children and youth in 1976. Due to the increasing number of students and families requesting counseling assistance, a School Counseling Program began six years later (1982). Through this program, a Counselor was available to go in the public schools and provide counseling assistance to children and youth in crisis situations.
In 1983, the agency expanded its shelter services to include runaway and homeless youth. In 1986, we purchased 22 acres of land and built an 18-bed shelter facility that housed the administrative offices.
In 1992, we changed our name to reflect our services and became Family Connection, Inc. We opened Project HOPE: Street Outreach Services in Birmingham that same year. Then in 2004, we built a Community Counseling Center on our Alabaster campus.
We are dedicated to building positive futures for the community’s vulnerable children, teens, and families. Our programs are concentrated in three areas of service: shelter, counseling, and safety for young people in crisis.
Family Connection touches the lives of children, teens, and families through these services:
- Overnight shelter for runaway and homeless youth and youth in the midst of crisis;
- School-based counseling to help students overcome personal and interpersonal problems;
- Safe sites for youth in crisis,
- Drug prevention education in the schools and community;
- Drop-in day shelter and street-based outreach for homeless youth
Our approach is to maintain a culture where the dignity of every youth is respected and all youth feel safe.
The Standards recognize Family Connection for Excellence Institute for having met the Basic Enhanced (Tier Two) Recognition requirements. The Standards of Excellence Institute is a national initiative promoting the highest ethics, effectiveness, and accountability standards for nonprofits.
Community Support…
It is through the generous support of community volunteers, business leaders and donors that Family Connection has been able to continue our mission of strengthening communities by building strong youth and families.
Alabama Association of Nonprofits
United Way of Central Alabama
National Safe Place Network
National Runaway Safeline
Standards of Excellence Institute