About Us
We provide shelter for children as young as birth and as old as 17. Arbor Youth provides a safe and supportive environment to children who have suffered abuse, abandonment, or are at risk of victimization.
Our Mission
To end youth homelessness by providing a safe and supportive environment to youth who have suffered abuse, abandonment, or are at risk of victimization.
Our vision: A community where every child and youth has a stable home.
We do that through our various services, including our Emergency Shelter, Outreach Center, Supportive Housing programs and working with Project Safe Place.

Our staff
Lori Clemons
Executive Director

Andrew Shayde
Development Director

Missy Pate
Volunteer Coordinator

Chris Primeaux Housing
Coordinator

William Jones
Shelter Coordinator

Hillary Welch
Shelter Youth Advocate

Our board
Suzanne Powell, Chair – Meridian Wealth Management, LLC. Adrian Wallace, Chair-elect – Bishop and Chase Foundation. Ali Johnson, Treasurer – Al Torstrick Insurance Agency. Cameron Sallee, Secretary – Dean Dorton Allen Ford. Camile Turner – BRAINBOX Immersive. Chad Howard, Secretary – TOPS Marketing Group. Adrianne Strong – Dinsmore and Shohl. Ben Keller – UBS Financial Services. Jessica Dawahare – Lexington Montessori School. John Reynolds – Traditional Bank. Kelly King – Kingsway Venue, Management & Events. Myron Thompson – Fayette County Public Schools. Stephanie Kelemen – Keller Williams Bluegrass Realty. Tim Wiseman – Stoll Keenon Ogden.
Our History
community since 1976
it all started with a simple idea:
let’s Help Kids
The M.A.S.H. (Metro Alternative Shelter House) Drop Inn began operation in August 1979 at a location on East Maxwell Street. M.A.S.H. originally was developed as a companion to the Coleman House for receiving funds under an “Alternative to Detention” LEAA federal grant. The Coleman House sheltered younger children, sibling groups, female dependent children, female status offenders, and certain female public offenders.
Funding for Metro Group Homes, Inc. (including the group home and M.A.S.H.) subsequently was obtained from sources such as the federal Runaway Youth Act, the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government, the United Way of the Bluegrass, and various private donations/fundraising efforts. With Runaway Youth Act funding, M.A.S.H. became a coed facility. It was accessible 24/7 to youth who could seek shelter by walking in from the street, without the necessity of a custody order. Per diem reimbursement was paid by the Department for Juvenile Justice and the Cabinet for Health and Family Services.
536 West Third Street Lexington, KY 40508 • Phone: (859) 254-2501 • safe@arborky.org