Shelter Wish List

CSP Youth Shelters

The 6-bed shelters located in Laguna Beach and Huntington Beach provide immediate services to troubled youths and their families who are in crisis due to domestic violence, substance abuse, child abuse, serious communication problems and family conflict. The goals of the program are family preservation and diversion of at-risk youths from the juvenile justice system. On a daily basis, distraught or endangered teens or their parents call the Shelter for help, or are referred by schools, police, social services, churches, service groups and good neighbors.

"When I first got here I didn't know why I was put on this earth.  Now I know that my life is worth living.  My mom and I are close again.  Also my mom is taking time to listen to me for a change." -Gina; Age 15.

For abused children in their teens, the Shelter Program often represents the last opportunity to break the cycle of abusive, family violence. Unfortunately, children learn all too readily to replicate this family pattern when they enter relationships and bear children of their own…and so the cycle continues.  With the Shelter's intervention, however, the cycle can be broken.

"It has enabled me to go home feeling secure." -Jeff; Age 15

At the Shelter, teens from abusive families are identified through individual and family counseling which goes to the heart of the problem. Often the teens and family are matched with a trained community volunteer who will mentor them for a minimum of one year. Parents attend shelter-based parenting classes during their child's stay, and finally, teens and parents attend after care counseling for however long they need. The program goals are to break the cycle of violence within the family, strengthen the family through counseling, watch over the teen through the mentor relationship, and sustain positive reunification through aftercare counseling and referrals.

"I'm so glad this program is available for families going through crisis and not know where to turn or find help.  I don't know where we would be without this program and the dedicated (staff) it has provided for us." -Parent; Gina's mother.

For other families, whose communication has closed down, the Shelter offers a "time out" for everyone to think and prioritize.  With the help of skilled and caring counselors, these families are able to come back together, in family sessions, to begin rebuilding their relationships with new and healthier ways of relating to each other.

"The CSP Shelter has provided a phenomenal service of kindness, understanding , and love that has benefited my child and myself.  The structure that is within the program is so valuable that it has shown my daughter the responsibilities she will have in 'real life' that she has rebelled against.  The family counseling sessions and parent/child sessions have been so helpful and insightful." -Parent

The CSP Youth Shelter is a highly structured program which requires youths to abide by house rules including chores, scheduled meals, study periods, staff supervised outings, approved visitations, curfew and intensive counseling and personal growth groups. The teens typically stay between two and four weeks although some stay longer. The Shelter serves as a 24 hour family crisis resource to parents and youths residing in Orange County, particularly those who do not have the means to seek private help.  The Shelter provides safe, secure respite during periods of turmoil as well as direct support services which are specifically designed to strengthen and support fragile families. We are dedicated to helping our young clients make positive changes in their lives.

If you find yourself in a time of need and do not know where to turn, please call the CSP Youth Shelter.  There is someone always here to help.

Bilingual staff available.

For more information, email youthshelter@CSPinc.org or HByouthshelter@CSPinc.org or call (949) 494-4311 or (714) 842-6600. The Shelters are always looking for people to help in various ways.  If you are interested in finding ways to get involved, go to CSP's Getting Involved page.