SAN BERNARDINO, CA – Supervisor Neil Derry has authorized the allocation of $25,000 to the Family Assistance Program. The funding will be used to help finance the operational costs of Our House, a youth shelter in Redlands that was spearheaded by the Family Assistance Program.

Our House opened its doors in Redlands earlier this year and is the first and only shelter of its kind in San Bernardino County. The shelter is a safe haven for young people in crisis that focuses on family reunification and creating a stable home environment for runaway and homeless youths.

“Many of the young people that come to Our House have a history of family conflict including abuse, neglect, parental substance abuse, and violence and have enough to deal with without having to suffer the hardships of living on the streets and wondering where their next meal will come from,” said Supervisor Derry.

Our House provides 24-hour crisis care to young people between the ages of 11 and 17 for up to three weeks, regardless of what city they come from. While staying at Our House, these youths receive daily individual and peer group counseling, classes on social and life skills, self-esteem, anger management, decision-making and a variety of other self-help tools aimed at creating healthy relationships between children and their families.

“It is my hope that by providing a safe, nurturing environment, these troubled teens will get the help they need to turn their lives around and lead happy, stable and productive lives,” Supervisor Derry stated.

If you are a youth in crisis or would like more information about Our House and the services it offers, call (909) 335-2676.