Empowering young people with supportive housing. Children and young people suffering from abuse, neglect, or emotional disorders find safe havens in our Youth Residential housing facilities—as do those who are homeless or having delinquency problems. Several of our facilities are also licensed residential treatment homes, offering residents the counseling and support they need to overcome mental illness, substance abuse issues, and self-image problems. We strive to help all clients create a healthy, self-sufficient future, through housing, compassion, counseling, education, vocational training...and an ability to know themselves through each other.

St. Vincent's School for Boys

A licensed, residential treatment home for ages 7-17, St. Vincent's offers boys housing and care that is one level under a psychiatric hospital's. Many of the boys struggle with deep emotional disturbances that result from severe parental abuse—physical, sexual or emotional—as well as parental neglect. Typicallly, a St. Vincent's resident has lived in many foster-care households and other residential situations prior to reaching us. Given the severity of many residents' situations, the child-to-staff ratio is 3:1 or 4:1, allowing every boy enough attention and compassion. Each boy at St. Vincent's lives in one of five cabins, segregated by age. Community living creates environments in which therapeutic, educational, and recreational activities can begin to relieve the trauma suffered early in boys' lives; many boys are unable to form emotional bonds. Through work with staff, nearly every boy develops a sense of trust, awakening his ability to connect with others. Those who can, attend regional public schools. Those who can't, attend a special-needs school right on our grounds. Finally, our Therapeutic Equestrian Program allows boys to care for, ride, and receive love from 18 beautiful horses that live onsite.

One St. Vincent Drive
San Rafael, CA 94903
415.507.2000

St. Vincent's Foster Family Program

Each year, this program works to place 30 special-needs children into foster family environments throughout Northern California. Most young clients come to us as a result of emergency situations; the program is designed to route these children into families who are prepared for a long-term, intensive-treatment commitment. Children served are girls and boys, from newborns to 18 years old. More than one-third of the children are boys who have graduated from our residential treatment center, St. Vincent's School for Boys, and who need a family setting in which to grow and heal. Some foster families are happy to retain "foster" status with the child they care for; others are thrilled to adopt the child once their treatment has stabilized. All are special families, indeed.

One St. Vincent Drive
San Rafael, CA 94903
415.507.4387

San Francisco Boys' and Girls' Homes

All young people residing in our Boys' and Girls' Homes have at least one thing in common: They've been referred to us by the juvenile justice system. Ranging in ages from 13-17, these young clients are usually here for a short-term stay, typically no longer than 18 months. While here, our residents can take advantage of individual and group therapy, family counseling with parents or siblings, and employment training and placement. In partnership with the San Francisco Unified School District, we offer residents education through a special, fully-accredited high school. Most youth return to an appropriate, court-appointed family member after staying with us.

One St. Vincent Drive
San Rafael, CA 94903
415.221.6741