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.

About Youth Haven

For more than five decades, Youth Haven has served as a sanctuary in Southwest Florida, providing home, hope and healing to children and teens experiencing abuse, neglect and oftentimes, homelessness. As a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization and Collier County’s only emergency and residential shelter for boys and girls ages 6 to 21, Youth Haven provides far more than shelter, delivering comprehensive programs including therapeutic services, trauma-informed holistic care, foster and transitional housing, and enrichment initiatives that help every child realize their potential and have a bright future. Youth Haven is accredited by the nationally recognized Council on Accreditation, licensed by the Florida Department of Children and Families, and is a partner of Children’s Network of Southwest Florida. Rated 4-star (excellent) by Charity Navigator and Platinum by Candid/Guidestar, Youth Haven is a beneficiary of the Naples Children Foundation. For more information or to schedule a tour, please visit youthhavenswfl.org or call 239-774-2904. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn.

About The Schoen Foundation

The Schoen Foundation was founded in 1993 by William J. and Sharon Schoen in Naples, Florida. William and his wife, Sharon, were motivated to support missions that had profoundly impacted and shaped their lives. These missions include supporting housing stability for vulnerable individuals and families. The Schoen Foundation is now a multi-generational, family-led foundation committed to upholding the legacy of William J. Schoen and the vision he shared with Sharon.