Youth Haven, Collier County’s only emergency and residential shelter for abused and neglected children and teens ages 6 to 21, is proud to announce that it received more than $176,000 in funding during the 2025 fiscal year to support its Food and Nutrition Services Program. This funding helped sustain and enhance this vital program, which provides consistent, balanced meals and hands-on nutrition education to children and teens residing on Youth Haven’s 18.5-acre therapeutic campus.

Support for the Food and Nutrition Services Program came from:

• Pulte Family Charitable Foundation
• Collier Community Foundation
• Empty Bowls Naples, Inc.
• Jingled Elves
• West Bay Charitable Foundation
• United Church of Marco Island
• Fifth Third Bank
• Isles of Collier Preserve Foundation
• Sprouts Healthy Communities Foundation
• Wawa Foundation

“We are extremely grateful to the continued generosity of these organizations to support our food and nutrition initiatives,” said Linda Goldfield, CEO of Youth Haven. “Food is more than nourishment; it’s part of healing. Many of the children who come to us arrive food insecure, having experienced neglect or instability. These funds allowed us to provide not only nutritious meals, but also a sense of safety, family and hope.”

The Food and Nutrition Services Program helps children and teens in Youth Haven’s care to rebuild physical health, emotional stability and trust following trauma. With 67% of youth facing food insecurity when they arrive at Youth Haven, and many struggling with habits such as hoarding or rapid eating, these services address complex food histories and support both physical recovery and emotional well-being as part of the organization’s trauma-informed care model.

The program operates 24/7, with meals prepared daily by Youth Haven’s experienced culinary team. Menus are designed in consultation with a registered dietitian to meet the Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF) standards and accommodate a wide range of dietary needs, including vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and lactose-intolerant options.

Beyond daily meals, the program integrates nutrition education and life-skills development, including cooking classes that teach teens how to budget for groceries, plan healthy meals and make informed food choices. Weekly “build-your-own” community dinners, like taco or ramen bars, offer fun, interactive opportunities for youth to practice independence while building confidence around food. Youth also practice these skills during enrichment activities and community outings, learning dining etiquette and proper money management.

“With access to these transformative tools and resources, youth in our care show measurable improvements in energy, mood stability and healthy eating habits,” said Goldfield. “Many also report reduced food-related anxiety and describe the dining environment as making them feel safe, cared for and at home.”

Rising food costs continue to challenge Youth Haven’s ability to maintain high-quality, fresh meals for the number of children and teens it serves.

Through its Building Hope for Tomorrow Capital Campaign, Youth Haven plans to construct a new community building featuring a modern commercial kitchen and expanded dining and classroom space, ensuring greater capacity for meal service and nutrition education.

“Every meal served at Youth Haven is a reminder to our children that they matter,” Goldfield said. “Thanks to our donors and partners, we’re able to nourish not just bodies, but futures.”

For more information about Youth Haven’s Food and Nutrition Services Program, 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.