Youth Shelter Care of North Central Iowa, Inc. (YSC), is a non-profit corporation with a volunteer board of directors. The agency was founded in 1979 and has been at its current location since January of 1990.

Youth Shelter Care provides emergency shelter and services to boys and girls, up to age 18, and their families. YSC is currently licensed to serve 20 youth at any given time.

The basic philosophy of the agency is to preserve the family unity whenever possible. Early intervention and referrals to community based services can prevent family problems from becoming more serious. It can also help reduce the chances that a child will be placed outside the home for a long period of time. Early intervention can reduce the need for more costly alternatives in the future when untreated problems become more serious.

During their stay with YSC, youth from the community continue their education through the local school system. If they are from another community or are not currently involved in an educational program, the Prairie Lakes Area Education Agency provides educational services in a classroom on campus. The teaching staff works with the students' home school to obtain assignments so they do not fall behind in their studies. Students who are not in school can prepare for GED testing.

At the heart of the program is the belief that teaching better coping and life skills will prepare youth for crisis that may occur in their lives. By teaching youth to make responsible and appropriate decisions for themselves, they will have a better chance of having success in their daily lives and become responsible and contributing members of society.


Admissions are received 24 hours a day. Youth or their families may contact YSC directly or they may call the Department of Human Services, Law Enforcement Agencies, Juvenile Court Services or other community helping agencies who will aid in admission and planning for the youth. Youth Shelter care works on a voluntary or court ordered basis.

In a year, Youth Shelter Care receives over 600 referrals and over 250 youth are served.


Youth Shelter Care serves youth throughout the state of Iowa. Runaways and homeless children from outside the state of Iowa are also served.


Youth Shelter Care depends on a combination of funding sources for daily operational needs. These include the state of Iowa, the child's county of residence, grants and donations from caring partners, United Way, churches and organizations.

No family receiving services from Youth Shelter Care of North Central Iowa, Inc. shall, on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, creed, sexual orientation, age, political affiliation, physical or mental disability, be excluded from participation in or be denied benefits or services of Youth Shelter Care of North Central Iowa, Inc. programs or be subjected to discrimination while in the program.