New Alabama Christian Youth Facility To Give Judges A Placement Option

The non-profit group, Youth Reach, is opening a 9-bed Christian-based group foster home outside Summerdale, Alabama tomorrow. A second 9-bed facility is under construction. They are designed for long-term stays by troubled boys ages 12 to 21. A girls' facility is planned for the future. Some 30 area churches and other supporters raised over $1 million to fund the project. The AP reported yesterday that the home is intended to give Alabama judges a facility in which they can place juvenile offenders. Some of the first 5 boys moving in Monday are coming from area jails. Though no mention is made of the issue, presumably any placements need to be voluntary on the part of the parents or children involved to avoid church-state problems. Youth Reach describes its philosophy on its website:

First and foremost, we are a Christian ministry built on the foundation of God’s Word. We are not religious, but we take advantage of the power found in a relationship with Jesus to witness the healing of young lives.