Emergency Shelter

When law enforcement removes children from unsafe environments due to abuse or neglect, the MCS Emergency Shelter provides a safe and supportive place for them to stay. Since 1979, the shelter has served as a short-term home for up to 12 children, ages 6 to 17.

While in the shelter, children receive 24/7 care that includes crisis support, counseling, academic help, recreational activities, healthy meals, transportation, and advocacy. Most children stay for about two weeks while a more permanent living arrangement is found. Those who need long-term care may be placed in one of our three group homes until they reach adulthood.

One of the key goals of our shelter is to teach children how to recognize unsafe situations and protect themselves in the future. For the year ending September 30, 2024, 96% of children (53 out of 55) demonstrated at least two age-appropriate personal safety strategies during their stay—skills that are proven to reduce the risk of future abuse.

Group Homes

Manatee Children’s Services was the first agency to open licensed group homes for foster children in Manatee County. Today, our homes are also licensed by the Florida Department of Children and Families to care for youth who are at risk for or have experienced human trafficking.

Each of our three group homes provides long-term care for up to six children, ages 11 to 17, along with live-in house parents. These homes offer a safe, stable, and family-like environment—often the first time many of these children experience that kind of security. Youth stay with us until they are reunified with family, placed with a foster family, or transition to independent living at age 18.

Our focus is on helping each child build the life skills needed for adulthood, reducing the risk of future instability or abuse. For the year ending September 30, 2024, 96% of youth in our group homes (26 out of 27) demonstrated mastery of age-appropriate independent living skills.

Success Stories

A young male came to the MCS group home at age 16 due to abuse and neglect. He was falling behind in school, had no identification or driver’s permit, had never created a resume before, and lacked emotional boundaries. MCS residential staff got him into therapy through our clinical team, connected him with a new school, and helped him obtain his driver’s license. Staff observed him teaching other children how to exercise and cook. He graduated high school with a plan to go into the military, and MCS staff established a connection to a recruiter for him. This young man aged out successfully with a brighter future thanks to the care and education he received through MCS.  

How to help our Emergency Shelter and group homes:

• Art therapy supplies 
• New socks, shoes, and underwear (all sizes) 
• Overnight diapers for older children ages 6+ (such as “Goodnites”) 
• New toiletries (shampoo, conditioner, body soap, toothpaste, toothbrushes, feminine products) 
• Gift cards for children to purchase personal items 
• Gift cards for residential program experiences/outings
• General monetary donations for unrestricted funds to support food and household operating expenses