This is a mentoring program for at risk youth, that pairs youth with adult mentors in order to assist the youth in becoming productive citizens. Mentors meet with youth one on one guiding them in the right direction
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The Youth Serve program focuses primarily on youth who are of middle and early high school age. This age group is particularly problematic and a perfect time for mentoring to be effective. At-risk young people have lost faith in the possibilities that await them if they are successful in putting their lives together. Youth Serve is here to restore that hope.
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About Us
WHO WE ARE
YHM is a grassroots 501(c)(3) nonprofit that has served youth and families since 2017—first in Florida, then South Carolina, and now West Virginia. Led by a professional therapist and retired teacher, our mission is to offer help and hope without judgment—especially to teens who feel overlooked, anxious, or alone. We focus on those who often fall through the cracks—marginalized and underserved youth—but we’re here for everyone, no exceptions.
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We do this in the name of Jesus—without pressure or preaching. Whether it’s free game nights, “Real Talk” groups, concerts, or community picnics, we follow His example: letting our actions speak louder than words and showing up with love.
In 2019, we opened a Teen Center in Tampa Bay—a space where all kids, regardless of background or lifestyle, could feel safe and accepted. What started with just two teens grew to over 60 regulars, earning front-page news and local TV coverage. They didn’t come for programs—they came because they felt at home and knew we cared.
Today, our South Carolina branch continues that mission through homeless outreach, serving youth and families in crisis with dignity and compassion.
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Now, we’re bringing that same heart to West Virginia—creating a place where teens can belong, feel safe, and just be themselves. No pressure. No strings attached.
Our Story: Why Youth Haven Ministries Was Born
Youth Haven Ministries began with a burden—and a calling.
For years, I (Tony, the founder) worked in social services, watching kids fall through the cracks. They lost insurance, were denied help, or didn’t meet the “eligibility requirements” for programs. It felt like no one cared about helping—only about what would bring in funding. I saw agencies manipulate outcomes by kicking out kids who wouldn’t “succeed,” just to boost their success ratios. Programs refused entry to those who didn’t fit their mold. The ones who needed help the most were left behind.
I also saw families struggle to navigate the system, losing services simply because they didn’t know how to advocate for themselves. It was heartbreaking.
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At the same time, I carried a deep desire to share the hope that faith provides—a spiritual grounding that gives strength to those who feel hopeless. But in the professional world, you’re not allowed to bring your faith into your work, no matter how valuable it might be.
On the flip side, I served under churches that claimed to welcome kids “as they are,” but always with strings attached. They’d host fun events with food and games, only to bait kids into Bible studies or church attendance. Worse, the message shifted from “come as you are” to “change or you’re not good enough for God.” It was the opposite of the gospel.
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Neither the professional world nor the church was truly helping people. Both picked and chose who they’d help, how they’d help, and for how long. There was no comprehensive approach—no recognition that everyone deserves help, right where they are. It was the opposite of Jesus.
I sat in both systems for years, watching them fail. I knew something different was needed. But it takes someone willing to step up.
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God placed the burden on my heart, and it sat there for years—until the early 2000s, during the height of the gay marriage debate. I heard preachers spewing hate and exclusion instead of love and inclusion. At the same time, the company I worked for shut down our entire division because it wasn’t profitable, abandoning patients who depended on us. That was the breaking point.
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I reached out to two pastors I trusted and my mentor in the counseling field. With their support, I launched Youth Haven Ministries—with one simple goal: to provide all kids with unconditional help, no matter who they are or where they’re at in life. No strings attached. And if they were willing to listen, we’d share the message of hope that Jesus offers.
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We started small—community events, outreach, whatever we could do. Government officials wouldn’t touch us. Other nonprofits saw us as competition. Some even tried to shut us down. But the message got out, and our fruit spoke for itself. Volunteers came. Donations came. And within a year, we opened a Teen Center that grew from just a few kids to over 60 per day. We earned front-page news, local TV coverage, and strong community partnerships.
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Then COVID hit, and we had to shut the center down. We moved online for a while, but eventually suspended operations due to personal tragedy in my life.
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Now, we’re relaunching—stronger than ever. With resilience. With renewed drive. And with a mission that’s more important than ever.
Youth Haven Ministries exists to offer help and hope without judgment. To serve all youth, especially those who’ve been overlooked. To create spaces where teens feel safe, accepted, and loved. No pressure. No strings attached.
