Youth Haven awarded $770,000 grant from The Schoen Foundation

Youth Haven, Collier County’s only emergency and residential shelter for abused and neglected children and teens ages 6 to 21, has been awarded a $770,000 grant from The Schoen Foundation. The funding will support the nonprofit’s mission of providing home, hope and healing and strengthen trauma-informed programs for vulnerable youth throughout Southwest Florida.

“We have been proud to support Youth Haven for over 10 years,” said Karen Sutton, chair and president of the board for The Schoen Foundation. “The organization plays a vital role in providing safety, stability and compassionate care for vulnerable young people in Southwest Florida. Their work not only ensures shelter but also offers the healing and hope needed for brighter futures. We are grateful to partner with an organization that is so deeply committed to the well-being of vulnerable youth.”

Specifically, this gift will allow Youth Haven to:
• Sustain Rob’s Cottage operations, providing 24/7 safe housing, case management, therapy referrals and life-skills training for homeless and unaccompanied teens.
• Expand access to mental health care, including EMDR therapy, Collaborative Problem Solving® training and ongoing trauma-informed staff development.
• Support academic success and independence through tutoring, financial literacy, job readiness, mentorship and post-discharge wraparound services.
• Cover essential campus needs, including food, transportation and facility maintenance.
• Advance organizational growth to expand capacity and enhance individualized care.

“We are grateful for the ongoing generosity from The Schoen Foundation to support our efforts of creating a safe place to help the youth in our care heal and thrive,” said Linda Goldfield, CEO of Youth Haven. “This is the largest operational grant we have received from the organization, and the funding follows an incredible $2.5 million gift last year toward our Building Hope for Tomorrow capital campaign. Their continued investment in Youth Haven ensures that each child and teen receives not only shelter – but also healing, stability and the tools to build a brighter future.”

Youth Haven serves as a dedicated community partner and regional leader in providing a safe haven of home, hope and healing for children and teens in need throughout Southwest Florida. For more information, visit youthhavenswfl.org or call 239-774-2904.