Why We Do It

On any given night there are over 3,000 youth and young adults homeless and left to find their own way in Northern Kentucky. The consequences are harsh. Their education is usually interrupted or cut off. They are victims of violence and abuse. They have limited or no access to health care, mental health services, or legal services. Homeless youth can't get an apartment because of their age, background, and lack of identification and income. They can't get a job without identification or a current address. Also, the transition from teenage years to adulthood is rarely easy, even for children with strong parental support and significant resources. For teenagers in state custody, "aging-out" of the system with little or no support can be especially challenging.

What We Do

Homeward Bound Shelter
Homeward Bound is Northern Kentucky's only emergency shelter for homeless and runaway youth. The shelter accepts youth who are age 12 to 17 for residency if they have runaway from home, have been kicked out of their home, or at-risk of becoming a runaway. Homeward Bound also accepts youth who are in danger of being abused in their home. Many times these youth are referred to Brighton Center by the Cabinet for Health and Family Services or by a law enforcement agency to allow for a cooling off period between the youth and their parents.

In addition many of the services of Homeward Bound are designed to aid in the reunificaiton of the youth in their home with the parents. Youth are directly supervised by staff who work in eight hour shifts around the clock. Unlike other residential programs, the staff at Homeward Bound never sleep, but instead will work their shift and then go off-duty.

Transitional Living Program (TLP)
TLP works with young adults (18-24) experiencing homelessness, helping them find safety from the streets, and giving them access to resources to help them move from crisis to healthy functioning and independent lives. Staff works with each youth to assess their circumstances, identify their needs, and set goals for positive lifestyle changes. We then provide guidance, support, and education to help youth acquire the tools they need in order to transform their lives.

National Safe Place
Brighton Center is the Northern Kentucky National Safe Place provider. Safe Place is the first step to help for any youth in crisis or at risk.  This community collaboration program, operated by Youth Services makes it possible for any youth to access help at locations including fast food restaurants, convenience stores, fire stations, libraries, and TANK buses which display the Safe Place sign. Youth can easily find help at Safe Place sites in their own neighborhood whenever they need it.  Safe Place connects youth to immediate help and safety and offers supportive services to both youth and their families.

What We've Done

360 homeless and runaway youth ages 12-17 received crisis services by our Homeward Bound Shelter and 115 were served residentially. 84% of youth served residentially at the Shelter were reunited with their families and 93% remained in their home school while in our care.

Contact Us:

Homeward Bound
Project Safe Place
Street Strategies
13-15 East 20th Street
Covington, KY 41014
Phone: (859) 581-1111
Fax: (859) 581-8033

Transitional Living
706 Park Ave.
Newport, KY 41071
Phone: (859) 491-8303
Fax: (859) 655-2718