As surrogate "parents" to as many as twenty-four boys from disadvantaged backgrounds, staff members at The Mel Blount Youth Home face some difficult challenges. In their quest to help the children mature educationally, emotionally, spiritually and physically, they work continually to improve the program. Every teacher, counselor and farm/work supervisor brings unique qualifications and compassionate hearts to the home, sharing a strong desire to make a positive difference in each boy's life. Their primary goal is, and has always been, to make The Mel Blount Youth Home a place where troubled youngsters can grow into young men of strong Christian character.

The Mel Blount Youth Home of Pennsylvania’s total capacity is (24) twenty four males between the age of 7-17 years of age. Referrals are accepted 24 hours a day for both long-term and short-term placement. The ability to accept referrals depends upon available bed space.

There are many programs offered at The Mel Blount Youth Home. Some of which are described below:

Equestrian Arts Program: A team of professional trainers will be provide youth with knowledge in three different levels of equestrian arts: classroom/hands-on education followed with visual and verbal reinforcement, horse training with strong emphasis on safety and the students will also have the experience of riding in outdoor arenas.

Mentoring Program: The Mel Blount Youth Home Mentoring Program will provide with one-on-one mentoring with a Resident Child Care Worker. Through the mentoring program, mentors will provide friendship, support, guidance, and spirituality. The youth and their mentor participate in recreational activities, group sessions, one-on-one counseling, and Bible Study and Church outings.

Inua Ubuntu Program: In partnering with Allegheny County Children, Youth and Families, The Mel Blount Youth Home provides a variety of services that help keep African American male children out of the child welfare system. Youth from various neighborhoods are sent to the Mel Blount Youth Home to improve their self-esteem, learn respect and discipline, and improve their peer and adult relationships.

Highmark Healthy High 5 Low Ropes Course: The elements involve group participation in which everyone is needed to achieve a goal. Only through unified teamwork can the group succeed and move onto the next element. Participants are encouraged to overcome fear, doubt, self-consciousness, and preconceived notions of failure. As group members work together, they develop trust, caring, decisiveness, determination, cooperation, a sense of accomplishment, and communication. Debriefing discussions center on trust in God and the value of encouraging one another. [Read Brochure]

Highmark Healthy High 5 Fitness Trail: The quarter of a mile fitness trail is comprised of many challenging elements. The course is constructed to physically challenge participants physically and mentally. Each component can be completed various ways depending on one’s physical capabilities. Similar courses are used in basic training camps or other physically challenging training programs.

Champions for Life Day Camp: The Champions for Life Day Camp was held this past summer for eight weeks. It offered an array of both educational and physical activities. The theme for the camp was, “Building Tomorrow’s Champions Today.” The youth were encouraged to achieve positive relationships with God, themselves and others; set spiritual, personal and physical goals; and gain an understanding their potential in the Real World.
[Read Brochure]

Individual Youth Goals are established to assist the residents in making fundamental changes in their way of thinking, communicating, feeling, and behaving through the following ways:

• Re-establishing Relationships
• Positive Communication
• Appropriate Discipline
• Creating and Setting Boundaries
• Accepting Responsibility

"...the vision I have here is kids enjoying their childhood and learning about Christ, becoming educated and really building a foundation to become great leaders for tomorrow."  Mel Blount

There are many ways in which individuals or companies are able to assist us in our mission, in addition to financial support. We welcome indiviudals who could utilize talents, resources and time in their areas of expertise (i.e. computer programming, wood working, managing finances, farming, gardening and educational programs). Another way would be to contribute basic items throughout the year such as:

There are many ways in which individuals or companies are able to assist us in our mission, in addition to financial support. We welcome indiviudals who could utilize talents, resources and time in their areas of expertise (i.e. computer programming, wood working, managing finances, farming, gardening and educational programs). Another way would be to contribute basic items throughout the year such as: