When life gets tough for kids and teens in El Dorado County, there’s one place that never shuts its doors: the 24-Hour Youth Shelter – The Ashby House in Placerville, California. This isn’t just a shelter; it’s a lifeline for children and youth who find themselves in crisis. Whether they’re runaway teens, homeless kids, or young individuals detained by the court, The Ashby House offers more than just a roof over their heads. It’s a place of healing, growth, and hope.
What Makes The Ashby House Special?
Let’s start with the basics. The Ashby House operates 24/7, 365 days a year. This isn’t your average shelter—it’s a State of California-licensed residential care facility designed to meet the needs of children aged 6 to 18. With room for up to 12 kids at a time, it’s always buzzing with activity. From therapy sessions to family reunifications, this place is like a Swiss Army knife of services for kids in need.
But here’s the kicker: it doesn’t stop at food, clothing, and shelter. Sure, those are essential, but The Ashby House goes above and beyond with offerings like psychotherapy treatment, life skills development, educational support, and even referrals for medical and dental care. It’s like hitting the jackpot of care services under one roof.
The People Who Make It Happen
Let’s take a moment to appreciate the staff at The Ashby House. These folks wear more hats than a department store during clearance season. They’re counselors, cooks, tutors, janitors, mentors—you name it. They’re also experts at adapting to challenges. When COVID-19 turned the living room into a virtual learning center for kids trying to keep up with school online, they didn’t flinch. They became tech troubleshooters and CDC monitors overnight.
And here’s the best part: no one complains. These heroes are all about making sure every child feels safe, cared for, and supported—even when they’re juggling roles that would make most people’s heads spin.
A Place That Grows With Its Kids
Eleven years ago, The Ashby House was built to serve vulnerable youth in El Dorado County. Since then, it has become an indispensable part of the community—but even superheroes need upgrades sometimes. That’s why New Morning Youth & Family Services (NMYFS), the organization behind The Ashby House, is expanding the shelter.
The expansion includes adding a 400-square-foot multi-purpose room equipped with study stations and conference furniture. This new space will give kids more room to learn and grow while providing families and social workers with a private area for meetings. Plus, there’s an extended deck and enclosed storage space on the way—because you can never have too much storage when you’re running a 24/7 operation.
Why Support Matters
Running a shelter like The Ashby House isn’t cheap. Between maintenance costs (the building hasn’t had major repairs since it was built), staffing needs, and upgrades like Wi-Fi to support virtual learning for 14 computers simultaneously—it adds up fast. That’s where community support comes in.
Organizations like HomeAid Sacramento and the Marshall Foundation have stepped up big time. HomeAid has committed its members to help build the expansion at an estimated savings of 40%—talk about teamwork! Meanwhile, the Marshall Foundation has provided both donations and loans to kickstart construction expenses. But there’s still work to be done; NMYFS is fundraising $300,000 to complete the project.
How You Can Help
Feeling inspired? You can be part of this incredible mission by donating to New Morning Youth & Family Services. Whether you chip in $25 or more (every dollar counts!), your contribution helps ensure that kids in crisis have access to food, shelter, therapy, education—and most importantly—a chance at a better future.
Donating is simple; just visit their website or call (530) 626-4190 for more details. And if you’re local to Placerville or nearby areas? Consider volunteering your time or resources—it’s a great way to give back while making a direct impact on young lives.
Why It Matters
The Ashby House isn’t just about survival; it’s about thriving. It’s about giving kids who’ve been through trauma or tragedy a chance to rebuild their lives with dignity and support. It’s about showing them that someone cares—whether it’s through warm meals shared around the table or life skills lessons that prepare them for adulthood.
In Placerville, California, The Ashby House stands as proof that when a community comes together to support its most vulnerable members, amazing things happen. So why not be part of this story?
Sources: newmorningyfs.org, New Morning Youth & Family Services Facebook Page, New Morning Youth & Family Services Instagram Page
Header Image Source: Ashton Bingham on Unsplash
