Caritas Family Solutions has announced the opening of its Community Youth Shelter, a pioneering program providing short-term stabilization and support for youth in Southern Illinois. Funded by the Illinois Department of Human Services (DHS), this is the first program of its kind in the region, designed to help families in crisis and keep children safe within their communities.
The shelter is open to youth ages 11 to 17 who are not in foster care and remain under the guardianship of their parents, including runaways, youth involved with law enforcement, or those experiencing significant conflict at home. The facility offers 24-hour, short-term care supported by case managers, nurses, and counselors to ensure the safety and well-being of children while families work toward resolution.
“At Caritas, so much of our work centers around healing trauma and finding resolutions for children and families, so this new shelter is a perfect extension of our mission work,” said Hope Carbonaro, Chief Program Officer at Caritas Family Solutions. “It allows children who are having issues with their family to be in a safe, stable and loving place where they have that sense of belonging and peace while they work to resolve the conflict. By surrounding youth with support while keeping parents actively involved, we can address trauma, meet the child’s immediate needs, and help families find a path forward.”
Previously, displaced youth who are not wards of the state were served through programs such as Comprehensive Community-Based Youth Services (CCBYS), but finding immediate placements for children with higher needs has become increasingly difficult. The new Community Youth Shelter addresses this gap by providing nine beds and a structured 21-day intervention, with flexibility based on individual circumstances. During their stay, children remain under parental guardianship while staff provide support—without assuming parental responsibilities.
“This truly is a family-centered program, with the ultimate goal of keeping families together,” Carbonaro added. “Parents will still be the guardians and we will work closely with them to honor and respect their role while offering services to help stabilize the family. This program is truly designed as a preventative approach to give that care and support before a crisis becomes a separation.”
Caritas is one of only two agencies in Illinois approved to implement this innovative DHS-backed model, with plans to expand similar programs statewide. To support the launch, Caritas has hired 15 new staff members. The Community Youth Shelter officially opened its doors on February 2, 2026.
Founded in 1947, Caritas Family Solutions is a nonprofit social service agency dedicated to strengthening the social and emotional well-being of individuals and families. The organization provides services including adoption, foster care, pregnancy care, Intact Family Services, residential treatment for children healing from abuse and neglect, behavioral health services, substance use treatment, professional counseling, independent living and employment programs for adults with disabilities, and mental health supportive housing.
Caritas serves more than 6,500 individuals annually across Southern Illinois, with offices in Belleville, Carterville, Mount Vernon, Waterloo, Olney, Glen Carbon, Alton, and Effingham, as well as satellite locations in Highland and Sparta.
For more information, visit caritasfamilysolutions.org.