From left to right – Whitney Palmer (Director of Business and Finance), Jennifer Ellison (Executive Director), and Jeremy Raines (Director of Programs)
Family Connection offers shelter, safety, counseling, and hope
By Carmen Shea Brown
Photos by Jeremy Raines
Many people drive by Family Connection’s campus at 2 Walker Way in Alabaster, possibly curious of the name but unaware of its significance and the hundreds of lives it affects. A homeless teen had nowhere to go. He couldn’t live at home. Family Connection gave him shelter and support to complete his high school diploma. A young woman, escaping a human trafficking situation, came for help. Her life was saved. These are not rare occurrences at Family Connection, the only federally recognized youth runaway and homeless shelter in the state of Alabama. It is also the local administrator of Safe Place, a national crisis intervention program for teens. Its importance could hardly be overstated.
After Executive Director Susan Johnston and Director of Programs Phil Cain both retired in 2023, Family Connection added new leadership with Executive Director Jennifer Ellison and Director of Programs Jeremy Raines. “A lot of change has taken place in the past year,” Ellison says. “We have a new strategic plan that includes increasing counseling and prevention services as well as spreading community awareness and perception and recruiting more volunteers. And we’re rebranding. We have a new logo and a new website that is more reflective of our future.”
Mental Health
Whatever situation a child is in, Family Connection assesses the immediate need first. “Crisis intervention is what we do best,” Ellison says. “Whatever the situation is, we want to address what they need now, and then later we will help them come up with a long-term plan. We address the small things first, before they become big things.”
Ellison sees youth dealing with sexual and physical abuse, divorce, death in the family, bullying, and much more. “We focus on their mental health as they cope with anxiety, stress, and depression.” Family Connection addresses all these issues through trauma-informed counseling services, including individual and family counseling. “When you’re a teenager, the decisions you make can have a very negative long-term impact, but it’s hard to realize that when dealing with some kind of crisis or trauma,” Ellison says.
Nearly 50 Years of Hope
Family Connection opened in 1976 with 12 beds as the Shelby Youth Attention Lodge and in 1987 expanded to an 18-bed short-term shelter for youth ages 12 to 17. The name officially changed to Family Connection in 1992 and now operates a residential youth shelter as well. “Runaway youth can stay at our shelter for up to 21 days, and the homeless can stay as long as needed until they have a safe, stable environment,” Ellison says. “Our youth are often referred to us, but we get a lot of self-referrals too. We have a 24-hour emergency line published on our website.”
In addition to working with referrals, Ellison and her staff are proactive in the community working closely with Shelby County Juvenile Court, the Department of Human Resources, law enforcement, and the local school systems.
FORE!
As part of its strategic plan to increase awareness, Family Connection has also started an annual fundraiser, the Grown-Up Prom, the first of which was held at the Farrell in Homewood on April 11. On Monday, June 2, Family Connection is holding its 40th Annual Golf “Fore” Homeless Youth fundraiser at Timberline Golf Club in Calera.
“We always have a good turnout, but we want this one to be even bigger,” Ellison says with a smile. “Our goal is to have at least 28 teams. Anyone can register, and you’ll get lunch and compete for prizes and gift cards. We guarantee a fun day.” The last day to register is May 30 at fcgolf4homelessyouth.com.
As Family Connection approaches its 50th anniversary next year, Ellison says the new goals for Family Connection now line up with its mission. “Our children have so much promise and potential, they just need affection and attention.” Thankfully, at Family Connection, that’s exactly what they will get.
For more information on Family Connection or to get involved, call 205-663-6301 or visit familyconnection-inc.org/.The Emergency Helpline is open 24 hours at 205-664-2273. Youth under 18 can also text SAFE to 44357.