Kairos Youth Services Helps Local Teens

Kairos Youth Services is a private non-profit organization that operates two programs for local youth. The first is a community-based youth home that serves up to 12 boys ages 10-18 who arrive via foster care and or youth court services.

“What we try to do is help provide the support and resources that they need to be successful contributing members of our community,” explained Stacie Eckenstein. “Our home is extremely active in having the youth and the staff work on community service projects, so we’re frequently having our group volunteer through United Way.”

Kairos Youth Services engages in various community activities, including spring cleanups, the Stuff the Bus event, neighborhood cleanups, and other initiatives aimed at helping the community and encouraging these boys to invest in it.

Additionally, Kairos Youth Services has an education plan in place. If the youth are at the shelter care facility, they are required to attend school. The organization also uses a behavioral management system that ties privileges to behavior, school attendance, and academic progress.

Kairos Youth Services also operates the Chafee Foster Care Independence Program in North Central Montana, which assists boys and girls aged 14 to 21 who are about to age out of foster care or who turn 18 while in foster care.

“There are a lot of very cool things that we can do to support these kids and make sure that they have a plan,” explained Stacie. “The statistics for kids that are aging out of foster care are not great. There’s a high rate of homelessness and a high rate of incarceration. If they haven’t finished high school before they turn 18, they infrequently do. Our program is built to get those kids thinking about what it’s going to be like to be an adult and get them armed with the skills that they need to be successful adults and the support that they need when they’re out there in the real world.”

Kairos Youth Services credits its success to the support it receives from the community. This support enables the organization to provide essential assistance to these remarkable kids. “Everything is extremely expensive, as everyone knows,” Stacie said. “We strive to offer meaningful and special birthday celebrations. With the holidays approaching, we work diligently to create a festive experience for these children who cannot be at home. Without community support, it’s challenging to go beyond our limited budget.”

Kairos Youth Services is funded through United Way, community donations, and grants. They are always accepting donations of any kind, including men’s and teen’s clothing, gift cards, and furniture and household goods to help the kids in their first home.

If you would like more information on how you can help Kairos Youth Services, please visit their website at Kairosyouthservices.org or call (406) 727-0076 and let them know you heard about them in the Great Falls Gazette.