Southwest Key Hopes To Reopen Shelter In Youngtown

Published: Thursday, September 5, 2019 - 5:50pm
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Southwest Key Programs hopes to reopen the last of two Arizona shelters that closed about a year ago.

The Texas-based nonprofit has received hundreds of millions of dollars in federal funding during the fiscal year that ends in September.

Government data show Southwest Key Programs is on track for a nearly 50% drop in federal funding from the last fiscal year. But Southwest Key has still received more than $330 million this year from the Administration of Children and Families, and it's the second most Southwest Key has gotten since 2003.

In Arizona, Southwest Key is seeking a state license to reopen a facility in Youngtown that closed last fall due to allegations migrant children had been abused. A local investigation resulted in no criminal charges.

Federal officials said the Youngtown facility was remodeled after a fire in December 2018.

Ron Deadman, fire chief of the Sun City Fire and Medical Department, said the fire was caused by a faulty heating, ventilation and air-conditioning unit on the roof, and it caused about $130,000 in damage.

Southwest Key spokesman Neil Nowlin emailed a written statement:

“The damage primarily occurred on the roof and the 2nd floor near the air-conditioning unit,” the statement said. “The fire was contained quickly and no one was in the facility at the time. Since then, the shelter has been remodeled and will be capable of caring for approximately 140 unaccompanied minors. We expect to hear about the next steps in our application to reopen Casa Amanecer in a few weeks.”

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