Young People Matter

YPM’s largest program, the Open Hearts Youth Shelter is a federal Basic Center program under the US Department of Health and Human Services located in DeKalb County, GA. We are one of only nine programs in the State of Georgia and the first program of its kind located in DeKalb County.

We provide 10-15 emergency beds a night for both male and female runaway, homeless, street and locked out youth ages 10 to 19 years old who have no place to live in a 5,000 square foot facility in Tucker, GA (located 30 minutes from downtown Atlanta). At the YPM Center, we provide emergency shelter (for up to 21 days), family unification, in-home services, employment services, case management, mental/behavioral health counseling, and support for their health, and educational aspirations.

At the Drop-In Center, homeless street youth can receive basic need items. Young women and men can take care of many of life’s daily activities like doing laundry, taking showers and eating a hot meal. Youth can receive mail, use computers, receive referrals for human services and participate in ongoing case management. The Center seeks to provide a safe trusting environment for homeless youth and help them begin the process of moving out of homelessness and onto the path of self-sufficiency.

The PYD is a "MAGICAL" prevention program (residential and non-residential services) for "at-risk" youth in partnership with a mental health/behavioral health agency. We prioritize entrance for youth who may be at-risk of: running away from home; being kicked out of their home; going through depression; having suicidal thoughts; bullying; anger management; early sexual activity; low self-esteem and those who are in need of better social skills.