Our mission is to serve abused and neglected children and youth by providing protective shelter and developmentally appropriate care in a nurturing environment.
Smith House Program
Pendleton Place also operates a low-management group home for youth who need a long-term place to call “home”. Smith House offers low-management residential care for girls ages 15-21 and is designed to prepare residents for successful independent living after foster care. The Smith House program aims to empower, support, and educate teen girls to develop independent living skills that will enable them to be self-sufficient and successful in adulthood. This is accomplished through education, counseling, recreation activities, collaborative treatment classes, career planning services, hands-on life skills training and opportunities, and multi-disciplinary treatment plans.
In order to promote educational success, the Smith House program provides mandatory tutoring services, daily scheduled homework time and assistance, educational supplies and materials, and a supportive environment. We teach residents the importance of career planning and preparation. Residents discover their skills, abilities, and career passions through aptitude and interests assessments, and they have the opportunity to learn about various career options.
Learning social and independent living skills is an essential component of the Smith House program. Residents are confronted daily with the necessity to learn and work together in a group environment, understanding and empathizing with the needs of the program and other residents. They complete household chores with a team approach, including grocery shopping and preparing meals. Residents with good academic grades are also allowed to secure part-time employment. Residents are also taught the meaning of philanthropy and ‘giving back’ and all girls participate in regularly scheduled community service projects.