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Post a commentFinding safe place for Bucks County teens
At Valley Youth House, local students in search of shelter and education find what they are seeking, and often a second chance ,as well.
The nonprofit organization, founded in 1973 in Bethlehem, now has multiple locations in the region, all offering free shelter to runaway and youth in crises.
The Bucks County house, located in Warminster, has 12 beds available to homeless and runaway children, plus counseling and educational opportunities. It opened in 2002 with funding from federal and state grants.
The doors never close, and young children and teenagers can seek shelter at any hour, day or night.
According to outreach coordinator Robert Davis, the majority of shelter residents are between the ages of 12 and 17.
While at the shelter, students attend their home school districts, but if they were expelled they complete their class work on-site at the shelter under the instruction of the shelter’s licensed teaching staff.
While completing their individualized coursework, students receive credit from their home school districts despite their absence.
Valley Youth House director Chuck Sipe thinks keeping a sense of normalcy in the shelter positively benefits the kids.
“We believe that they need to feel successful and need to continue moving forward. We really believe the more normal we can make the experience for the kids, the better,” Sipe said.
In addition, the Valley Youth House offers recreational activities to its guests.
“We really try to make it as simple and as friendly as possible so they aren’t diverted too much from their regular activities,” Davis said.
The shelter regularly takes students out into the community to visit museums and libraries, and going skating or bowling.
“We certainly encourage them to participate in the same type of activities that all kids participate in, such as after-school sports,” Sipe said.
The center receives referrals from churches, schools, police departments and child serving agencies, such as Bucks County Children and Youth.
Shelter staff regularly distribute brochures to churches, schools and organizations to help guide children in need to the facility.
Sipe said the center’s goal is to work with families to resolve whatever crisis prompted the child’s placement in the shelter.
“We want to give them a safe place to reside until permanent living arrangements can be made for them,” Sipe said.
Currently, nine children and teens are living at the shelter but the bed count varies on a daily basis. Part of the shelter’s mission is to try to get students into permanent housing within three weeks.
Sipe said sometimes there is a happy ending to a child’s story when shelter children and teens are reunited with their families and go on to lead a normal life.
“We are fortunate in that a lot of kids are not too far from here. They call and let us know how they are doing and we make follow-up calls to make sure they are okay. It’s nice to hear when kids are doing well,” he said.
Recently, a former shelter resident received a full scholarship to Temple University. “When we hear those things, it certainly makes it all worthwhile,” Sipe said.
For more information about the center, call 215-442-9760.
The nonprofit organization, founded in 1973 in Bethlehem, now has multiple locations in the region, all offering free shelter to runaway and youth in crises.
The Bucks County house, located in Warminster, has 12 beds available to homeless and runaway children, plus counseling and educational opportunities. It opened in 2002 with funding from federal and state grants.
The doors never close, and young children and teenagers can seek shelter at any hour, day or night.
According to outreach coordinator Robert Davis, the majority of shelter residents are between the ages of 12 and 17.
While at the shelter, students attend their home school districts, but if they were expelled they complete their class work on-site at the shelter under the instruction of the shelter’s licensed teaching staff.
While completing their individualized coursework, students receive credit from their home school districts despite their absence.
Valley Youth House director Chuck Sipe thinks keeping a sense of normalcy in the shelter positively benefits the kids.
“We believe that they need to feel successful and need to continue moving forward. We really believe the more normal we can make the experience for the kids, the better,” Sipe said.
In addition, the Valley Youth House offers recreational activities to its guests.
“We really try to make it as simple and as friendly as possible so they aren’t diverted too much from their regular activities,” Davis said.
The shelter regularly takes students out into the community to visit museums and libraries, and going skating or bowling.
“We certainly encourage them to participate in the same type of activities that all kids participate in, such as after-school sports,” Sipe said.
The center receives referrals from churches, schools, police departments and child serving agencies, such as Bucks County Children and Youth.
Shelter staff regularly distribute brochures to churches, schools and organizations to help guide children in need to the facility.
Sipe said the center’s goal is to work with families to resolve whatever crisis prompted the child’s placement in the shelter.
“We want to give them a safe place to reside until permanent living arrangements can be made for them,” Sipe said.
Currently, nine children and teens are living at the shelter but the bed count varies on a daily basis. Part of the shelter’s mission is to try to get students into permanent housing within three weeks.
Sipe said sometimes there is a happy ending to a child’s story when shelter children and teens are reunited with their families and go on to lead a normal life.
“We are fortunate in that a lot of kids are not too far from here. They call and let us know how they are doing and we make follow-up calls to make sure they are okay. It’s nice to hear when kids are doing well,” he said.
Recently, a former shelter resident received a full scholarship to Temple University. “When we hear those things, it certainly makes it all worthwhile,” Sipe said.
For more information about the center, call 215-442-9760.
