Thirteenth Place, Inc. is a non-profit, community-based agency which opened in February, 1977 to provide shelter care for youth ages 11-17 that are in homeless crisis situations. The facility is located in Gadsden, Alabama and is licensed by the Alabama Department of Youth Services to provide shelter for up to fourteen youth. Since that time over 3,200 youth have benefited from our services.

Each year in the United States over a million teenagers run away from home. For many, this is the only means of escaping an abusive home life or a severe family crisis. The first goal of the program is to reunite the youth with his/her family by encouraging resolution of family conflict. In cases where reunification is not possible, our professional staff works with the youth and other social service programs to secure the most appropriate long-term living arrangement for the youth.

Many of the youth that walk through the doors of Thirteenth Place, Inc. whether on a walk-in basis or through a social service referral, often times do so carrying all their possessions in a single grocery bag or even bundled in trash bags. These youth are provided a safe, home-like environment with three meals served every day, clothing, individual, group and family counseling, as well as educational and recreational opportunities while in residence.

Emergency shelter and crisis intervention services are provided primarily for youth and families in the Gadsden/Etowah county area as well as surrounding counties in North Alabama. However, runaway youth have been provided shelter car from as far north as Minnesota, as far south as Florida, and as far west as Texas.