About Us
About Us
Family Connection, Inc. has a 49-year history of serving youth and families. In 1976, the agency opened as a 12-bed group home for at-risk children and youth. Initially known as Shelby Youth Attention Lodge and later, Shelby Youth Services and Attention Home, the agency name was changed to Family Connection in 1992 to better reflect our services in the community. In 1987 the organization opened an 18-bed youth shelter on 22-acres of land on County Road 26 near Alabaster. Due to the increasing number of students and families requesting counseling assistance, a school counseling program began six years later.
In 1992, To prevent the sexual abuse and exploitation of young people living on the streets in Birmingham and to provide services to help them leave the streets, Family Connection opened Project HOPE Street Outreach Services for homeless youth. Two years later, we opened a Drop-in Day Shelter, for homeless youth to provide a place to shower, apply for jobs, learn skills, and receive case management support as they work toward finding a permanent place to live.
In 2012, Family Connection was the first agency in Alabama to receive Tier One recognition by the Standards of Excellence Institute, a national initiative promoting the highest standards of ethics, effectiveness, and accountability. In 2016, the agency received Tier Two recognition from the Standards of Excellence and was the first in Alabama to receive this recognition.
In 2023, long-time Executive Director, Susan Johnston and Director of Programs, Phil Cain, both retired after 43 and 38 years of service, respectively.
In 2024, the organization welcomed new Executive Director, Jennifer Ellison and new Director of Programs, Jeremy Raines. Counseling services were consolidated into a formal Counseling Program, providing shelter, school, and community-based individual and family counseling.
Our Mission
Our mission is to strengthen families and communities by providing shelter, counseling, and safety for young people in crisis.
300+
Youth and Families Served
1,500+
Hours of Counseling
1,290
Survival Aid Packets
3000+
Meals
Our People
2025 Board of Directors & Advisory Council
David Bobo
President
Calvin Gunn
Vice President
Amanda Parmley
Secretary
Curt Guenther
Treasurer
Mark Bourgoin
Member at Large
Floyd Collins
Member at Large
Allan Stowers
Member at Large
Naseem Aljouny
Jared Bevis
Thea Cook
Buster Ellis
Clay Hammac
Ron Jackson
Dana Meginniss
Martha Smith
Shelley Staton
Shella Sylla
Melissa Youngblood
Advisory Council
Alan Beck
Courtney Hardy
Lyn Cook
Eli Henderson
Shelli Davis
Steve McClinton
Alec Etheredge
Kimberly Ray
Nate McGillivray
Jasmine Bibb
