In 1976, Family Connection opened as a 12-bed group home for at-risk children and youth. Initially known as Shelby Youth Attention Lodge and later, Shelby Youth Services and Attention Home, the agency name was changed to Family Connection in 1992 to better reflect our services in the community. Because the lease on the property where the original shelter was located was ending, the Board of Directors began a successful capital
campaign and raised funds for the purchase of 22 acres of land on County Road 26 near Alabaster and constructed an 18-bed Youth Shelter. We received our first young person in the shelter on January 1, 1987.
Due to the increasing number of students and families requesting counseling assistance, a School Counseling Program began six years later.
In 1992, To prevent the sexual abuse and exploitation of young people living on the
streets in Birmingham and to provide services to help them leave the streets, Family Connection opened Project HOPE Street Outreach Services for homeless youth. Two years later, we opened a Drop-in Day Shelter for homeless youth to provide a place to shower, apply for jobs, learn skills, and receive case management support as they work toward finding a permanent place to live.
In 2004, a Community Counseling Center was opened at our Alabaster campus to respond to the increasing need for counseling services among families and youth in our community and address the need of a place for groups to meet that focus on services for children, youth, and families.
In 2012, Family Connection was the first agency in Alabama to receive Tier One recognition by the Standards of Excellence Institute, a national initiative promoting the highest standards of ethics, effectiveness, and accountability. In 2016, the agency received Tier Two recognition from the Standards of Excellence and was the first in Alabama to receive this recognition.
In 2016, Family Connection was honored to be a recipient of funds from Nick’s Kids, the charitable foundation of Coach Nick and Terry Saban. The Foundation is dedicated to supporting organizations that benefit children, teens, and families.
In 2017, the agency celebrated 40 years of operation and look forward to another 40 years of meeting the needs of youth in crisis situations.