Youth Haven celebrated a transformational milestone on Feb. 27 with a ceremonial groundbreaking for its new Therapeutic Enrichment Center, officially launching construction on the cornerstone project of its $20 million Building Hope for Tomorrow capital campaign.

Held on Youth Haven’s campus, the ceremony brought together board members, donors, community leaders and project partners to commemorate the beginning of construction on the 22,000-square-foot facility that will replace the organization’s aging 53-year-old building. During the momentous celebration, guests enjoyed remarks from Youth Haven’s leadership, including Board of Directors President Jennifer Porter, Capital Campaign Chair Elizabeth Star and Youth Haven’s Chief Executive Officer Linda Goldfield. In a generous act of support as the building partner for the project, Chris Curran, CEO of Curran Young Construction, presented Youth Haven with a donation of $100,000 toward the campaign.

The new center will serve as the heart of Youth Haven’s therapeutic campus, strengthening and expanding the depth and quality of care provided to youth in need across Southwest Florida. The center will be developed in partnership with Curran Young Construction and several industry leaders who are contributing their expertise to the project, including MHK Architecture, Gordon Pass and Natasha Pereira Interior Design.

Founded in 1972, Youth Haven is Collier County’s only emergency and residential shelter for abused and neglected children and teens ages 6 to 21. While the new building will not increase the organization’s licensed capacity of 74 beds, it will significantly enhance services for the average 150 unduplicated children and teens served annually, totaling approximately 24,000 bed nights each year.

“This groundbreaking represents hope in action,” said Goldfield. “For more than five decades, Youth Haven has provided a safe haven for youth who have experienced unimaginable trauma. This new Therapeutic Enrichment Center allows us to deepen our trauma-informed care, expand educational and enrichment opportunities, and ensure every child who comes through our doors feels supported, seen and empowered to build a brighter future. We are profoundly grateful to our community for making this moment possible.”

The comprehensive Building Hope for Tomorrow campaign will fund construction of the new center and establish an endowment to ensure long-term sustainability. The facility will feature dedicated therapeutic spaces, including individual and group therapy rooms, art and music therapy studios, a fitness and yoga studio, and family reunification rooms. A state-of-the-art Education Hub, expanded library and makerspace will support academic success and hands-on STEAM learning.

To promote nutrition, life skills and togetherness, the center will include a new commercial kitchen with space for residents to cook and dine together, along with enhanced indoor and outdoor gathering areas. In addition, administrative offices will relocate to the second floor, allowing the current administrative building to be reconfigured into a Community Outreach & Prevention Center to expand family support, prevention programming and community partnerships.

Together, these enhancements will strengthen Youth Haven’s ability to address the complex emotional, educational and developmental needs of the children and teens in its care, dramatically increase its impact and offer more home, hope and healing to those who need it most.

With more than $15 million of the $20 million campaign goal already secured, Youth Haven continues to invite individuals, families, businesses and foundations to participate in shaping the future of its campus. Naming opportunities remain available for donors who wish to leave a lasting legacy and invest directly in spaces where healing begins and hope grows, including naming rights to the building.

Thanks to a generous match gift, all contributions made through April 30, 2026, will be matched up to $1 million, doubling donors’ impact. For more information or to inquire about naming opportunities, contact Katie Schweikhardt, director of development, at Katie.Schweikhardt@youthhavenswfl.org or 239-774-2904 ext. 104.

Learn more about Youth Haven and the Building Hope for Tomorrow Capital Campaign at youthhavenswfl.org/capital-campaign 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.