Page 101 - South Mississippi Living - December, 2018

GIVING BACK shielded
Haven
Youth Court Administrator | 228.435.3201
“Children are placed there
when their safety is a serious concern and they need immediate protection,” Youth Court Administrator Cindy Alexander said. “The Shelter was intended
to provide short term care, but because of the desperate need for foster homes, children may stay at the shelter six weeks or more.”
Basic physical, emotional and educational needs are met for
the children while they are at
the shelter. They are transported by staff to regular schools and participate in recreation programs during the summer.
Unfortunately, the number of children served is increasing. According to the Mississippi Department of Child Protection Services, Harrison County has more than 800 children in the
system, the highest number of any county in the state.
Alexander says the list of factors contributing to the increase is long: drug use; poverty with children living without adequate utilities or food; generational instability; deterioration of the family unit; and the lack of rehabilitation services, mental health services and substance abuse treatment.
“We rely heavily on the public for the extras such as gift cards and Christmas and birthday presents for children in the shelter, and for new clothes and shoes,” Alexander said. “Monetary donations
are used for activities that all children enjoy such as going to the movies, skating, trampoline park, McDonald’s and various activities in the community.”
Safe
HARRISON COUNTY YOUTH COURT EMERGENCY CHILDREN’S SHELTER
story by Lynn Lofton photos courtesy of Harrison County Youth Court
Aware of a critical need for emergency shelter for children in the youth court system, the Harrison County Youth Court opened a shelter in 1979. The mission is to immediately provide a safe temporary home for children who have been neglected or abused, at risk of being neglected or abused, or who have run aways from home. This 24-hour emergency shelter is for children ages one day to 18 years. The facility was the first of its kind in the state.
REDD PEST
is proud to sponsor
HARRISON COUNTY YOUTH SHELTER
1.888.733.3626 | www.reddpest.com
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December 2018 • SOUTH MISSISSIPPI Living 101