The Pearl Longbine Youth Shelter is a 24-hour emergency placement home for youth, ages 5 to 17. The young people who live in the shelter are in the care of Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (TDFPS) and come from settings in which they might have been homeless, abused, neglected and/or exploited.
Because of their backgrounds, youth at CFS’ shelter may experience depression, anger, physical aggression, and self-harm. A counseling team comes to the shelter twice a week and works with the youth throughout their placement. Other values and skills are introduced to the youth in group settings, which are conducted by different community agencies. Some of the subjects addressed include: anger management, preparation for adult living, parenting, making healthy choices, self- esteem, and communication skills. Youth attend school in the Amarillo school district, and AISD provides tutors from the school district for certain subjects.
The staff at the shelter consists of a shelter administrator, assistant to the administrator, a full- and part- time cook, and direct care staff. The staff at the shelter serve tirelessly to provide these youth with a safe and secure environment. The employees work with the youth to assist them in problem solving, give them accountability, and support them in their attempts at accepting the world around them. These staff/child interactions are an excellent way for the youth at the shelter to learn what healthy relationships look like.
