Community Corner
'Young People Matter' Shelter Opens
YPM is a short-term, voluntary shelter providing crisis intervention.
An emergency shelter for troubled youth opened its doors this week in Tucker, becoming the first facility of its kind in DeKalb County.
Young People Matter (YPM), on Cowan Road, offers temporary housing for boys and girls, ages 10-19, who are homeless or runaways, have been sexually exploited or are considered "unruly."
The 5,000 square foot building had been sitting empty for years and was ransacked by burglars who even took the kitchen sink. Volunteers organized by the Tucker Civic Association cleaned and painted the newly-refurbished center last weekend and a ribbon-cutting ceremony took place on Sunday afternoon.
Find out what's happening in Tuckerwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
"This is a population that many don't speak about," Executive Director Simone Joye told Patch. "We help them get their lives back on track. No kid should be homeless."
YPM, which also has a summer camp beginning on Tuesday, May 28, received a $580,000 government grant to get started, and accepts tax-deductible donations. "I'm glad the program exists. It's sorely needed," said Delouis Walton, Special Projects Coordinator for DeKalb's Chamber of Commerce.
Find out what's happening in Tuckerwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
"It's magical," Joye said, looking around the center. "Everything is coming together."
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.