Our Mission

Creating a safe, nurturing, and stable environment where children can heal and thrive, prioritizing the well-being, individuality, and holistic development of each child. It fosters a nurturing, inclusive, and safe environment, valuing collaboration with parents and promoting ongoing professional development for staff.

Vision

We envision a future where every child experiences a deep sense of belonging and is equipped with the emotional, social, and developmental tools to thrive.

Our vision includes fostering resilience, promoting healthy relationships, and guiding each child toward self-confidence and purpose through intentional play, learning, and nurturing connections. We actively support family involvement, recognizing that healing and growth flourish in the context of love, understanding, and strong community ties.

Goal

Ensuring we provide a place where children know they are accepted, loved, protected, and wanted, helping instill a strong sense of self-worth and purpose in each child. Each child is encouraged to reach their full potential at their own pace.

The Hurst Foundation Philosophy

We believe that every young person has inherent value, unique strengths, and the capacity to grow when supported by compassionate care and meaningful relationships. Our philosophy is grounded in the belief that positive relationships, supportive environments, and family connections are essential to the healthy development of children, especially those who have experienced trauma or instability.

We are committed to:

Human Worth & Rights

Every young person is unique and deserves to be treated with respect and dignity.

All individuals have the right to privacy, to be heard, and to have their views considered
Youth should be supported in making positive changes with adequate resources and encouragement.

Developmental Needs

Children should be provided with essential social, emotional, spiritual, educational, and developmental resources.
Belonging, mastery, independence, generosity, recognition, and new experiences are fundamental to human development.
Crisis situations are viewed not as setbacks, but as opportunities for learning and personal growth.

Family & Community

The best outcomes occur in a context of family life. Whenever possible, we work toward reunification or placement with supportive families.
Family involvement is valued and actively encouraged as part of the child's healing and growth process.

Trauma-Informed & Strengths-Based Approach

We focus on each youth's potential, using strengths-based care to help them achieve independence, self-sufficiency, and pride in their progress.
Assessment is holistic and ecological, considering all aspects of a child's environment: home, school, peers, and care setting.

Safe & Empowering Environment

We aim to provide the least restrictive, most reclaiming environment possible.
Youth deserve support when they make mistakes and guidance to learn from them.
All forms of discrimination are actively challenged in our attitudes and practices.

Core Values

Respect and Dignity
Safety and Nurturing Care
Strengths-Based Practice
Empowerment and Self-Determination
Family and Community Partnership
Growth Through Adversity
Equity and Inclusion