Q: How long has the Burrowes Street Youth Haven been around?
A: The Burrowes Street Youth Haven (BSYH) began serving youth in June 2005.

Q: I always thought that Stormbreak was the runaway shelter?  What happened?
A: In 1983, the Youth Service Bureau formed the Stormbreak program.  Stormbreak received a grant through the National Runaway and Homeless Youth Act and began serving youth in shelter in 1984.  Through the years, the shelter began accepting more and more group home youth (i.e. wards of the state) and by the mid-1990's, Stormbreak was serving predominately as both a runaway shelter and a girl's group home.  In 2005, the Youth Service Bureau decided to split the program into two different programs, so that the needs of these two very different populations could be more efficiently met.  The Burrowes Street Youth Haven was formed at that time and offers all of the same, and more, services to runaway and homeless youth that Stormbreak since 1983.

Q: What age group does BSYH provide services for?
A: BSYH provides services to youth ages 12 through 18.

Q: What kind of services does BSYH provide?
A: BSYH provides a safe environment for youth who are homeless, have runaway or are having problems with their current living situation.  Trained counselors can provide help and support with individual and family problems on a daily basis.  A lot of the services are based on therapeutic work done with the youth during their short term stay at BSYH.  In addition to shelter and therapeutic services, BSYH provides drop-in counseling, a 24-hour hotline and outreach services.  Youth and parents can come in for immediate counseling or call the hotline to discuss problems and issues that they may be dealing with.  Professional counselors are ready to listen and offer their assistance.

Q: How long can a youth stay at BSYH?
A: Youth are allowed to stay at the shelter for a maximum of 15 days.   

Q: Is BSYH a co-ed residential facility?
A:Yes, BSYH serves both females and males.  To this date, there have been about the same number of females as males.

Q: How much does it cost to receive services at BSYH?
A:Nothing!!  All services from BSYH are completely free and confidential!!

Q: Where is BSYH located?
A: BSYH is located at 330 S. Burrowes Street, in State College, PA.

Q: Who can come to BSYH?
A: Any youth at risk for becoming runaway or homeless that is of ages 12 through 18 can utilize services from BSYH.  If you have specific questions about staying at BSYH, please call the hotline at (814) 234-2100.

Q: Do youth who go to BSYH have to tell their parents that they are there?
A: Yes.  BSYH will contact parents and/or legal guardians within 24 hours of the youth's arrival to the BSYH.

Q: What if the parents don't want their children staying at BSYH?
A: BSYH is a voluntary shelter.  If the youth is under 18 years old, both the youth and the parents have to agree on the stay and services offered by BSYH.  If a parent and/or child do not agree on services, BSYH cannot allow the youth to stay.