Youthworks

Youthworks Runaway Centers provide comprehensive emergency services to runaway youth and their families, as well as, youth experiencing significant parent/child conflict and provide one-time drop-in, and crisis line services to youth who may be contemplating running away and require or seek only a minimal level of service (such as information and referral to other services providers). The Youthworks runaway centers are the only programs in their respective communities providing runaway services outside of the juvenile justice, social services and law enforcement systems. Runaway centers can provide an alternative to jail for law enforcement/juvenile justice when they choose to divert and/or deinstitutionalize runaways, status offenders, delinquents and other high-risk youth. Services provided to runaway and homeless youth include individual, family counseling and mediation; group counseling; attendant care; juvenile diversion; transitional housing; support groups; emergency food, clothing and shelter; advocacy; crisis intervention and emancipation preparation.

Youthworks newest program in the Fargo metro area is a youth shelter and short-term care center. The facility opened in the summer of 2010 as a safe shelter for runaway youth who have left their homes for a variety of reasons and also serves as a short-term housing alternative for families and youth facing parent/child conflict and anger management issues.The 4-bed facility is off-site from the main Youthworks office. Full reunification services are available including individual and family counseling, anger management, mediation, mentoring, and personalized aftercare services. For both runaway and short-term care situations parents or guardians retain custody and reunification is intended to happen within 96 hours, or sooner if possible. Professional assessment is available 7 days a week.

Family Counseling is also available through Youthworks' Family Counseling Program.