Noah’s Anchorage Celebrates Reopening of its Home for Runaway and Homeless Youth

On November 20, Noah’s Anchorage Youth Crisis Shelter, a licensed residential shelter for homeless and runaway youth ages 12 to 17, welcomed the community at an Open House, which celebrated the more than $500,000, attractive renovation of the eight-bed home on West Figueroa Street. Noah’s talented and dedicated staff provides vital assistance to these youth, so the reopening was a time of great celebration.

Part of the Channel Islands YMCA’s Youth and Family Services, Noah’s provides temporary shelter and basic needs assistance, crisis resolution assistance, counseling for youth and families, and 24-hour hotline assistance. It is the only shelter for this age group between Los Angeles and Monterey. 

The Open House was a time of jubilant celebration not only because the residential services were sorely missed during the several month renovation period, but also because of the strikingly attractive result of the remodel. The more than 100 guests got guided tours of the facility, where they learned about the critical and transformational assistance Noah’s provides. Funding for the project came largely from Boardmember Wendy Atterbury’s and Harry Atterbury’s Whimsie Fund ($400,000+) and from the Women’s Fund of Santa Barbara ($65,000). Wendy Atterbury oversaw the project, working closely with Executive Director Valerie Kissell and others.