Youth Services

The Youth Services program for Isabella or Clare counties and the surrounding areas, may be able to help if you are 10 - 18 years old and:

  • are thinking about running away from home,
  • have runaway, are homeless, have been left behind or asked to leave your family home by your parents,
  • are living in a place where you don’t feel safe, or,
  • wish to talk privately with someone about family, friend, school or work problems.

The Youth Services program can offer support, emergency shelter and counseling to help you solve problems that are keeping you from reaching your personal goals.  The program also wants to make sure you establish a safe place to live.  We will help you use your strengths, talents, skills, wishes, and dreams to make a plan that meets your goals.  We are also there if you just want someone to listen.  You can make the call or be referred by a friend, relative, your school, or any community agency.

The Youth Services program is free.  The only requirement is that you must be willing to participate and want to make changes for yourself.  You can call us anytime, day or night, 7 days a week.  Your parents are also welcome to request assistance to benefit the whole family.  When you call us, you can be sure that:

  • You will be listened to. 
  • You will be treated with dignity and respect.
  • Your safety is our first concern.
  • Your privacy and maintaining confidentiality are important to us.
  • With the help of Listening Ear staff, you will design a plan to meet your needs. 

Regular business hours are 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.   Youth Services offers services during regular business hours as well as evening hours (by appointment) to accommodate work and school schedules.  On-call staff are available 24 hours every day to respond to crisis and emergencies.   The Youth Services counselors will meet youth at other locations in the community if requested and the meeting place is appropriate for providing service.