For more than 15 years, Jonathan’s Place has been giving children who have suffered from abuse, abandonment and neglect their childhoods back. They do this through three programs: a “home-style” Emergency Shelter, a Foster & Adoptive Family Program, and a Residential Therapeutic Program.
The Jonathan’s Place Emergency Shelter is a temporary home to children who have suffered in their own homes. On average, children live in the shelter for three to four weeks. While living there, they are provided with medical and dental care, educational and developmental assessments, therapy and counseling, clothing, food, toys, books, school supplies, and therapeutic activities. The home allows only two children to share a bedroom, with each child getting his or her own space. Jonathan’s Place is the only organization in Dallas County to provide residential care to children younger than 10.
The Jonathan’s Place Foster & Adoptive Family Program recruits potential foster and foster-to-adopt families, conducts a comprehensive training program, conducts thorough reviews and home studies of each family, and verifies families as either foster or foster-to-adopt. They then work with Child Protective Services to place children into the care of these families. Each family in the program has access to donations, clothing, medical attention, toys and much more than other foster care and adoptive programs may be able to provide. Jonathan’s Place is the only organization in North Texas to provide a continuum of care from emergency placement with a foster family to adoption.
The Jonathan’s Place Residential Therapeutic Program provides long-term residential care and specialized services to girls ages 10 to 17 that require a high level of therapeutic care. These girls are troubled, traumatized and ill as a direct result of being removed from their biological family homes because of extreme abuse and neglect. Through therapy, educational opportunities and a family environment, the program helps residents adjust to living in a less restrictive environment and gives them the ability to eventually live with a foster family or on their own. Jonathan’s Place is the only licensed placement option for this particular demographic of young women in Dallas County.
For more information about Jonathan’s Place, please visit their Web site www.jpkids.org
