Caritas Family Solutions has announced the opening of its Community Youth Shelter, providing short-term stabilization and support for youth in Southern Illinois. The shelter is funded by the Illinois Department of Human Services. It is located in the Metro-East but will also serve South Central Illinois.
The shelter is for youth ages 11 to 17 who are not in foster care and remain under the guardianship of their parents, including runaways, youth involved with law enforcement, or those experiencing significant conflict at home. It offers short-term, 24-hour care, with case managers, nurses, and counselors on hand to ensure children are safe and cared for while families work toward solutions.
The Chief Program Officer at Caritas Family Solutions Hope Carbornaro says much of their work centers around healing trauma and finding resolutions for children and families, so this new shelter is a perfect extension of their mission work.
“It allows children who are having issues with their family to be in a safe, stable and loving place where they have that sense of belonging and peace while they work to resolve the conflict,” Carbonaro said.”By surrounding youth with support while keeping parents actively involved, we can address trauma, meet the child’s immediate needs while helping families find a path forward.”
The new shelter includes nine beds and is structured as a 21-day intervention, though placements may vary based on individual circumstances. During that time, children remain under their parents’ guardianship while staff provide guidance without assuming parental responsibilities.
Caritas is one of the first two agencies in the state approved to implement this innovative model under DHS contracts, with plans to expand similar programs across Illinois. The nonprofit hired 15 new staff members to support the launch of the new program. The Community Youth Shelter officially opened on February 2, 2026.
