YLS Volunteer Project - George W. Harris Youth Shelter

When: Thursday, September 27th at 5:30 PM

Where: The George W Harris Youth Shelter (GWHYS) at 1060 US-17, Bartow, FL 33830

What: Cook4Kids (C4K) involves a group of caring individuals who provide a meal for the shelter allowing for interaction between the staff and youth. C4K provides more than a meal: it relieves shelter staff of the time for meal preparation and allows more direct supervision with the youth; the youth experience volunteers from their own community who care enough to prepare a meal; and the program saves in food costs. C4K is a “win-win.” The youth gain awareness that their community cares and cares enough to spend time preparing a meal for them. We hear from our volunteers that they get more out of the experience than they give.

How the GWHYS serve as a United Way collaborator: Under our Safety Net focus area, the GWHYS strives to motivate youth to succeed in school and strengthens a nurturing family environment for the youth to return to at the point of discharge.

More about the Shelter: Youth and Family Alternatives operates three short-term shelter programs for youth between the ages of 10 and 17, one of those being the George W. Harris, Jr. Runaway and Youth Crisis Shelter, located in Bartow, Florida. They are open to youth who are runaway, homeless or youth in need of a short- term out of home respite placement for any reason. The shelter also provides emergency placement due to abuse and/or neglect and for youth in foster care who have experienced a disruption in their foster placement. The program provides 24 hour, 7 day a week admission services, youth supervision, food, clothing if needed, crisis counseling, life skills education, individual and family counseling, recreation and leisure time activities and case management services. Educational services are provided by the local school district in the county in which the shelter is located. Youth and their families are expected to actively participate in program services and abide by program rules. There is no fee for program services. The program serves as a short-term placement for youth in crisis. After leaving the shelter, youth and their family may be referred for continued family counseling through the YFA Family Services outpatient programs.

Please contact yls@uwcf.org for more information