Caritas Family Solutions receives Blues for Kids grant for youth residential center
Caritas Family Solutions has been awarded $4,000 from Blues for Kids, the charitable trust of the St. Louis Blues, to provide fitness equipment for the Caritas Youth Residential Center.
Caritas Family Solutions provides residential-based behavioral health services through its Youth Residential Center, which houses three specialized programs focused on individualized, trauma-informed care. During their stay, the youth have access to therapy, healthcare, educational and recreational opportunities, and properly balanced meals, and receive care and support from dedicated, well-trained staff. Once they are physically and emotionally healthy, and ready to live in a home environment, they are placed in a suitable loving home.
“We strive to promote healing of the mind, body and spirit to enable the youth in our care to flourish. The new exercise room at the center will provide a healthy outlet to relieve stress, build confidence and develop lifelong wellness habits,” said Caritas Family Solutions CEO Gary Huelsmann. “This space is more than just a gym – it is a step toward healing and hope. We are grateful to the St. Louis Blues and Blues for Kids for helping us provide a place for our youth to move, grow, and thrive.”
Painted blue and gold, the space features St. Louis Blues decor and a variety of new equipment including an exercise bike, treadmill, medicine balls and a Bowflex Xtreme 2 SE exercise machine.
Blues for Kids has a mission to positively impact programs and services that improve health and wellness of youth in the St. Louis area. To date, Blues for Kids has contributed more than $11M to the St. Louis community. “Blues for Kids believes in the healing power of exercise and is proud to partner with Caritas Family Solutions on this initiative,” said Eva O’Shea, senior manager of Community Development & Blues for Kids at the St. Louis Blues.
For additional information, visit www.caritasfamilysolutions.org.
Photos courtesy of Caritas Family Solutions.
Founded in 1947, Caritas Family Solutions is a nonprofit social service agency whose mission is to strengthen the social and emotional well-being of individuals and families in order to create healthy relationships, loving homes, and strong communities. Services include adoption, community family stabilization programs, foster care, counseling, residential treatment for children healing from abuse and/or neglect, independent living for adults with developmental disabilities (CILA), and assisted living. Caritas serves more than 6,300 individuals annually across Southern Illinois from offices located in Belleville, Carterville, Mount Vernon, Olney, Glen Carbon, Alton, and Effingham as well as satellite locations in Highland and Sparta.
