Currently, in McHenry County 40-50% of youth in-care are fostered outside of the county.
There is also a population of parents-in-crisis needing respite in order to deal with their own set of unique challenges—seeking new housing or employment, lack of childcare, drug addiction treatment, or completing their in-tact obligations.
In addition, McHenry County has homeless youth–kids whose greatest fortune is finding a meal and a warm bed for the night—seeking structure doesn’t occur to them, let alone the possibility of a future.
We seek to solve the issue of youth placements outside of McHenry County by offering a solution in Deerhaven Home.
We will create a foster campus that will provide a home, the services & resources, and support system that is necessary for these youth to thrive.
The Deerhaven Home campus would provide a home, resources and services in order to create an environment where the youth can thrive while they progress through their individual situations.
Our support won't end when they age out of the system, but rather we will continue to be their support system and family as much as they need us to be.
Breaking the cycle and helping to set them up for success is the ideal.
"We at Big Brothers Big Sisters of McHenry County look forward to helping the children of Deerhaven by defending their potential through mentoring relationships. All children deserve to be safe and to be given the opportunity to ignite the power and promise of youth. Our community's future depends on the future of our children."
"The plans for Deerhaven to be in our community is amazing. What they will have to offer will be life changing for many children. CASA of McHenry County looks forward to being part of the collaboration to help our vulnerable youth get the services and support that they need. We share and support Deerhaven's mission of every youth having a safe place to live."