Youth Haven, Collier County’s only emergency and residential shelter for abused and neglected children and teens ages 6 to 21, has successfully achieved reaccreditation through the Council on Accreditation (COA). The nonprofit was one of the only organizations in Collier County to earn this prestigious distinction.

“We are proud of this achievement that directly reflects our team’s steadfast commitment to excellence,” said Linda Goldfield, chief executive officer of Youth Haven. “Accreditation provides a framework for organizations to manage resources, offer best practices and strive for continuous improvement. We feel honored to attain this status as we continue our mission to bring home, hope and healing to vulnerable youth throughout Collier County.”

COA is an independent, international nonprofit that accredits child and family services and behavioral healthcare organizations. Representing the gold standard in the field, COA is focused on improving service delivery outcomes and promoting excellence in human services globally.

Youth Haven’s accreditation was part of a rigorous five-year audit process, which took nearly a year of preparation to complete. Their reaccreditation application was expedited through the Pre-Commission Review Report process because the organization received no out-of-compliance ratings in all of the fundamental practice standards. Only 25 percent of agencies receive this expedited status, and it is the first time in Youth Haven’s history that it achieved this milestone.

In addition to its COA reaccreditation, Youth Haven has demonstrated its strong financial health and ongoing effectiveness and reliability by earning a Four-Star Rating from Charity Navigator and the Platinum Seal of Transparency from Candid, formerly Guidestar and the Foundation Center.

“These important designations are further validation that our supporters can trust our commitment to good governance, but also that we’re using our donors’ gifts effectively,” said Goldfield. “We hope they will introduce our work to new supporters who can help us advance our mission to provide home, hope and healing to abused and neglected children and teens in Southwest Florida.”

Youth Haven’s Four-Star Rating designates the nonprofit as an official “Give with Confidence” charity, indicating that the organization is using its donations effectively based on Charity Navigator’s comprehensive criteria. Charity Navigator is the nation’s largest charity evaluator, providing donors with thorough and credible ratings of more than 230,000 organizations. Since 2001, the organization has been an unbiased and trusted source of information for more than 11 million donors annually. Charity Navigator analyzes overall nonprofit health and performance based on four key areas, including leadership and adaptability, accountability and finance, culture and community, and impact and results.

“We are delighted to provide Youth Haven with third-party accreditation that validates their operational excellence,” said Michael Thatcher, president and CEO of Charity Navigator. “The Four-Star Rating is the highest possible rating an organization can achieve. We are eager to see the good work that Youth Haven can accomplish in the years ahead.”

As part of an elite group of a small percentage of nonprofits in the U.S. to achieve the platinum distinction and highest level of transparency from Candid, Youth Haven has demonstrated a dedication to going above and beyond in sharing detailed information. Earning this seal requires an organization to provide extensive and clear information to the public about its mission and goals, strategies and programs, capabilities, financial information, results, milestones, and impact metrics, making it a significant achievement that demonstrates a commitment to financial and operational openness, accountability and building trust with donors, supporters and the community.

Established in 1972, Youth Haven serves children and teens who are removed from their homes due to abuse, neglect or homelessness. With beds for up to 74 youth, Youth Haven provides around-the-clock specialized care in a home-like environment, including counseling and emotional support, educational opportunities and a robust enrichment program. 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 Naples Children & Education 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.