Each month TAY youth and their counselors gather in beautiful places to connect with nature and with each other. Together the youth have enjoyed yoga, art, pet therapy, chocolate tasting, and most recently a trip to Lafayette Reservoir.

Family Pathways, led by Clinical Director, Nikki Heeren provides specialty mental health services that include Intensive Care Coordination (ICC), Intensive Home-Based Services (IHBS), and Individual and Family Therapy for foster youth and their families.

With the help of our supportive staff, dedicated volunteer professionals, and devoted community members, our Family Pathways Program has had a positive impact on the lives of hundreds of foster children, adolescents, and their families.

In the fall of 2021 Youth Homes proudly launched our Welcome Home campaign as an initiative to restore the organization’s four residential foster homes. We invited sponsors, donors, and community members to make a difference in the lives of our community’s underserved youth. We’ve kept tabs on our progress and we’re excited to share what has been fulfilled so far.

The Youth Homes Therapeutic Behavioral Service program is an intensive family-based program that focuses on emphasizing the family’s strengths and abilities while building skills to help reduce negative behaviors. Kevin, one of the behavioral specialists, works closely with youth to ensure his clients meet their goals.

Picture this - A counselor and resident are battling over an intense match of foosball. Two kids are on the couch singing into a karaoke machine. Another two youths are having an energetic game of Pop Shot with counselors while two other staff look on, cheering loudly. There is laughing and jostling; a "Game On" light blinks in the background. 

It is truly a pleasure to announce the appointment of Tim Byrd as our new Chief Executive Officer for Youth Homes.

The Youth Homes team is celebrating gratitude this month and we sure have a lot to be thankful for this year. Instead of focusing on the many transitions the past year has seen, we’re celebrating our youth, their health, and happiness, and all those who’ve helped make this possible.

Youth Homes is fortunate to partner with Zenerosity and Rusty Halo, who between them, provide space, horses, and therapists to run an EAT program. The program supports the more traditional treatment plans and offers an opportunity for youth to open up in an outdoor setting in a place of calmness.

As part of our Enrichment Program, these gardens engage our youth in hands-on organic gardening. They have the opportunity to take part in cooking activities using their harvested produce and build vocational skills like teamwork and time management as well.

As part of our Enrichment Program, these gardens engage our youth in hands-on organic gardening. They have the opportunity to take part in cooking activities using their harvested produce and build vocational skills like teamwork and time management as well.

Because many of the youth we serve have experienced trauma, they need more than just stability – they need opportunities for joy, wonder, creativity, exploration, and normality—cue the Lafayette Community Foundation.

The end of July and the beginning of August had exciting things in store for our youth!

What is a family? For the boys and girls who are clients of Youth Homes the answer is heartbreakingly simple: adults who care enough to show up.

Our community come together to make birthday wishes come true for foster youth!

For youth living in care and coping with trauma, the mountains are an inspirational and cleansing place.