Programs / Alternative Youth Shelter

Since 2004, the Shelter of HOPE has provided a safe environment for girls and boys in crisis.

The Shelter of HOPE is a privately managed Alternative Youth Shelter, providing services for youth from both Salem and Gloucester Counties. In addition, the shelter provides services to youth that are runaway, homeless, court-placed or abused, or children involved with Child Protective Services from throughout Southern New Jersey.

Highly trained professionals provide individual assessment, counseling, academic assistance and care to help children, ages 13 to 21 to:

• Be safe.
• Work toward achieving individual treatment goals.
• Learn problem-solving techniques.
• Identify challenges and make better choices.

On average, youth stay in this short-term facility from 7 to 30 days. If it is in the best interest of a child, Ranch Hope will focus on reuniting that child with his or her family.

The shelter utilizes two separate facilities. The boy’s unit, located on the Alloway Campus in Salem County, serves a maximum of 10 residents. The girl’s unit, at Victory House in Gloucester County, serves up to 6 clients.

Although a short-term placement, youth being served by the Shelter of HOPE experience the same benefits as those receiving long-term care:

• Individual, group and family clinical services are provided by licensed, Master’s level therapists.
• Educational services, ranging from full-time placement to daily tutoring, are available.
• Ranch Hope’s Activities Department provides a full range of therapeutic recreational activities including: the Retzlaff Athletic Center, Fitness Center, swimming pool, equestrian programming, extracurricular clubs, athletic and intramural teams and supervised activities.