Empty white image.

Harris HOME

FOR CHILDREN

 IMPACTING LIVES SINCE 1954

 EVERY CHILD MATTERS.

Harris Home — Hero
Harris Home for Children · Est. 1954

Every child deserves a fighting chance.

For seventy-two years, Harris Home For Children has been the place Alabama's most vulnerable boys land when every other door has closed. Your support keeps that door open.

Become a Monthly Partner Give a one-time gift →
  • $25/month covers a week of groceries for a child in crisis care.
  • $50/month funds a therapy session.
  • $100/month keeps the lights on in the cottage.
Harris Home — Our Challenge
The Challenge

Alabama's kids are in crisis.

  • 5,800+

    children in Alabama foster care tonight.

  • 1 in 4

    has moved homes three or more times in the last year.

  • 1 in 2

    caseworkers leaves the job every year.

  • 31.9

    months — the average time a child spends in foster limbo.

When every other door has closed, this is where they land.

Harris Home — Our Programs
Our Programs

Here's what happens next.

From the first night of safety to the day they graduate — three programs meet boys where they are and walk them forward.

  • Emergency Care · Ages 14–19
    Crisis
    A safe place to land when there's nowhere else.

    Alabama's only full-time licensed crisis program. 24/7 shelter, meals, counseling, and stabilization for up to 60 days while the state arranges longer-term placement.

    60-day max · 24/7 · Statewide
  • Long-Term Care · Ages 12–19
    Residential Care
    A family-style home where healing has time to happen.

    Two tracks under one roof. Basic Care gives kids with mild needs a steady place to rebuild routines and trust. Moderate Care offers trauma-informed therapeutic support for youth with mental health diagnoses.

    Basic + Moderate tracks
  • Academic Support · Middle + High School
    BOOST!
    A path from surviving middle school to getting into college.

    After-school tutoring, ACT/SAT prep, and college and career readiness, four days a week. Delivered in partnership with tutors from Alabama A&M and UAH.

    Mon–Thu · 4:30–6:00pm

Keeping these doors open, every day, takes steady support. Become a monthly partner →

Harris Home — Our Story Teaser
Our Story

Chessie opened these doors in 1954. They've been open every day since.

Chessie Walker Harris, founder of Harris Home for Children
Chessie W. Harris Founder · 1954
Julian Jude, Executive Director of Harris Home for Children
Julian Jude Executive Director · Today

Between them: seventy-two years of open doors, and thousands of Alabama boys who walked through them.

Read our story →

OUR COMMUNITY PARTNERS

Bearded Warriors logo: Skull wearing cap with crossed weapons, on a map background.
Harris Home — Three Ways to Help Teaser
How to Help

Three ways to keep the door open.

Pick the one that fits your life right now. All of them keep a boy from sleeping somewhere they shouldn't.

  • Give
    Dollars

    Cover a new-resident kit. Partner monthly. Fund the gym. Every gift stays here and keeps the lights on 24/7.

    Ways to give →
  • Show Up
    Hours

    Volunteer for events and projects. Tutor with BOOST! four afternoons a week. Mentor one kid for one year.

    Ways to show up →
  • Spread the Word
    Voice

    The people you know trust you. Share the site, tag us on social, or forward this to one person who should know.

    Ways to share →

Not sure which fits? Start here.

See Every Way to Help →

SIGN UP FOR

NEWS & UPDATES

Stay connected to the children and teens we serve. Sign up for inspiring updates, success stories, volunteer opportunities, and ways you can help make a lasting difference.

Contact Us