'Young People Matter' Shelter Opens

An emergency shelter for troubled youth opened its doors this week in Tucker, becoming the first facility of its kind in DeKalb County.

Young People Matter (YPM), on Cowan Road, offers temporary housing for boys and girls, ages 10-19, who are homeless or runaways, have been sexually exploited or are considered "unruly." 

The 5,000 square foot building had been sitting empty for years and was ransacked by burglars who even took the kitchen sink. Volunteers organized by the Tucker Civic Association cleaned and painted the newly-refurbished center last weekend and a ribbon-cutting ceremony took place on Sunday afternoon.

"This is a population that many don't speak about," Executive Director Simone Joye told Patch. "We help them get their lives back on track. No kid should be homeless."

YPM, which also has a summer camp beginning on Tuesday, May 28, received a $580,000 government grant to get started, and accepts tax-deductible donations. "I'm glad the program exists. It's sorely needed," said Delouis Walton, Special Projects Coordinator for DeKalb's Chamber of Commerce.

"It's magical," Joye said, looking around the center. "Everything is coming together."

Young People Matter website

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