Ellington

Two years ago, after seeing the need to provide safe places for homeless and runaway youth, Catholic Charities in Jackson began "Host Homes," a program that provides displaced youth with a stable environment.

Host Homes places youth ages 12 to 17 with families in Hinds, Rankin and Madison counties for 21-to-45 day stays while the organization works to resolve conflicts in the youth's home. Host Homes also provides permanent housing if issues such as neglect or abuse can't be resolved.

"We realize we can't solve every problem, so we always have referral services available," says Sherita Harrison of Catholic Charities.

Catholic Charities is currently seeking applicants for host homes.

"We really need people in Rankin County," she says. "We have a few hosts from Madison and Hinds county but we really need volunteers from Rankin County. We see lots of kids from Rankin County and we desperately need host homes there."

Families or individuals who want to become a host must undergo an extensive background check, similar to that of foster parents.

"(Hosts) get to provide a child with a nurturing home environment instead of that child being placed in a hospital," says Catholic Charities Program Director Leslie Cain. "(For) Some of these kids, this is the first time they have ever been in a home where they get to feel normal."

While in the host home program, youth will receive family and individual counseling, and attend school in the host's district. During the summer, Catholic Charities places the kids in programs such as The Boys and Girls Club or Operation Shoestring. Teenagers 16 and older can participate in the city's youth employment program.

Host Homes is funded through the city, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and private donations.

The program is an offshoot of Catholic Charities "Project Safe Place," a program that provides a network of services and crisis intervention for displaced youth.

If you are interested in becoming a host, donating funds or referring a child to Host Homes, call 601-355-0161 or Sherita Harrison at 601-326-3762 for more information or visit Catholic Charities' website.