Our History

Youth Guidance Association was established in the late 1960's as a division of Youth for Christ when property was purchased at Welches, Oregon (the former Fred Meyer summer estate) for a boys residential treatment program.  Named Son Village, the first two boys entered the program in 1969.  Initially, the program was contracted with the Vocational Rehabilitation Department of the State of Oregon and the Multnomah County Juvenile Court.  The residents were placed at Son Village rather than being incarcerated in the state training schools.  A house parent model was used to staff the program and provide supervision for the twelve boys who lived there.  In 1971, a new Children's Services Division was formed by the Legislature and our licensing then came under its jurisdiction.

In 1972 at the request of Children's Services Division, Youth Guidance began planning for a similar youth care center for girls.  A home was purchased in the Troutdale area and Turning Point Girls' Program was started.  It remained there for just over two years until a larger home on Larch Mountain, east of Corbett was found.  This new location afforded more room and the ability to serve more girls.

In 1974 YGA added a third program.  Using the original Turning Point facility in Troutdale, a Shelter Evaluation Program was begun for six boys.  This program was designed for short stays (about 60 days in length instead of the 9 - 12 month placement in the other programs) and to focus on behavioral stabilization and evaluations.  In 1991, the capacity of the Shelter Evaluation Program was increased from six to nine in order to serve gang affected youth.

As the treatment needs of the clients increased in severity, it became necessary to provide 24-hour supervision for all the residents and to move away from the houseparent model.  In 1991, all three programs made the shift to round-the-clock staffing with awake-night coverage to ensure the safety of every resident.

In 1999, services at all three YGA programs were intensified and strengthened when Behavioral Rehabilitation Services were implemented.  Meeting BRS standards required higher levels of treatment, supervision and staff qualifications, and allowed YGA to provide an increased level of treatment to our clients and their families. In 2003 the Shelter Evaluation Program was changed into a long term treatment program for boys referred by the Oregon Youth Authority.

A unique element of the YGA programs is a Scholarship Endowment which was established in 2000.  This fund enables graduates of all three YGA programs to further their education by applying for a scholarship from YGA for college or vocational training.

Since its inception, YGA has always been determined to provide quality staff and services for young people in trouble.  That commitment continues to this day.