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Free Therapy for Foster Youth

At A Home Within, we understand the profound impact a single, lasting relationship has in the life of someone impacted by foster care.

There is no time limit. No age limit. No red tape. Youth choose their therapist and continue “for as long as it takes.”

Our Mission

A Home Within provides transformative mental health care to foster youth
while building the field of the future.

A Home Within is a community-driven solution to the youth mental health crisis.

We don’t depend on government grants or insurance company contracts. We don’t wait for the system to provide youth what they deserve. We transcend policy, bureaucracy, politics, and economic cycles.

Our Story

In 1994, Dr. Toni Heineman founded A Home Within to provide free, unlimited, relationship-based therapy to young people who have experienced foster care.

In its first 30 years, A Home Within grew to a nationwide network of volunteer therapists who each make a career-long commitment to providing free therapy to foster youth and alumni.

In 2002, A Home Within partnered with University of San Francisco’s Foster Care Research Group to study the impact of long-term, no-cost mental health support.

Over two decades of results show that A Home Within clients experience reduced symptoms and suffering, and report improved relationships at home, at work, and in the community. A Home Within creates healing and hope through lasting therapeutic relationships.

A Home within is growing faster than ever. Our community is engaged, interconnected, and meeting the moment.

We serve nearly 700 young people nationwide, and are adding 300 new volunteers to our network each year.

Our clients tell us: The relationship is the medicine.

Our volunteers tell us: I get more than I give.

Our Programs

At a Glance

30,000 hours of free therapy provided each year.
Up to 600,000 youth in foster care nationwide need access to mental healthcare.
650+ therapists in 28 chapters across 21 states.