Youth Haven is pleased to announce its holiday giving opportunities for the 2025 season. As Collier County’s only emergency and residential shelter for youth ages 6 to 21 who have been removed from their homes due to abuse, neglect and abandonment, or are experiencing homelessness, support from the community ensures children and teens that call Youth Haven home have the holiday season they deserve.

“We are extremely grateful for the community’s support in ensuring our children and teens have a wonderful holiday season,” said Linda Goldfield, chief executive officer of Youth Haven. “The youth in our care have faced so many challenges and we strive to provide them with a sense of normalcy and joy. These meaningful gifts would not be possible without our incredible community partners.”

Local businesses, organizations and community members can offer support in a variety of ways, including:

-Make a year-end gift – all tax-deductible donations received by Dec. 31 will help provide food, shelter, safety and healing to children in need. Please mail donations to Youth Haven attn.: Year End Donation, 5867 Whitaker Road, Naples, FL 34112

-Host a holiday donation drive – businesses and organizations can host a holiday donation drive event at their location. Participating partners will receive an assortment of gift tags with a requested gift listed on each tag for their team to collect.

-Purchase an item from Youth Haven’s Holiday Wish List – children and teens provided their holiday wishes and help is needed to purchase these items. Requests include a variety of items such as toys, electronics and gift cards. An Amazon wish list is also available at youthhavenswfl.org.

-Donate supplies – contributions of wrapping paper, bows, scissors and tape are greatly appreciated. Batteries of all types are also accepted so the children can enjoy their new toys on Christmas day.

-Fulfill a gift tag wish – pick up tags with wish list items at one of our community partner locations, including Golden Gate Nursery, House of Omelets and Mister O1 Extraordinary Pizza. A full list of participating locations is available at youthhavenswfl.org.

Please note that Youth Haven can only accept new, unused and unwrapped gifts. The greatest need is for children ages 12 to 21. Baby or toddler gifts, in addition to “scary” or violent-themed items, cannot be accepted. Donations will be accepted through Friday, Dec. 19.

To discuss a year-end gift, make arrangements for gift delivery, or learn more about Youth Haven’s holiday giving opportunities, please contact Katie Schweikhardt, director of development, at Katie.Schweikhardt@youthhavenswfl.org or 239-774-2904 ext. 108.

Youth Haven serves as a dedicated community partner and regional leader in providing a safe haven for children and teens throughout Southwest Florida. Visit youthhavenswfl.org to explore ways to give and help provide home, hope and healing to children and teens in need this holiday season.

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.