A Home for New Beginnings

norman c sleezer youth home

For more than five decades, Norman C. Sleezer Youth Home has provided safe, structured teen residential care for girls who have experienced trauma. Our licensed therapeutic residential treatment center in Freeport, IL offers individualized treatment, education support, and a unique six-month aftercare program so youth and families feel supported long after discharge

Trusted residential treatment and trauma-informed care for adolescent girls

Located in Freeport and serving youth from across Illinois, Norman C. Sleezer Youth Home partners with DCFS, juvenile probation, and schools to provide a stable, therapeutic environment where teen girls can rebuild hope and work toward a brighter future.

Comprehensive Residential Treatment and Support

Therapeutic care, education coordination, life skills, and aftercare

Residential Treatment Program

Licensed residential treatment program (QRTP) exclusively for adolescent girls, providing 24/7 supervision, structure, and support in a homelike setting.

Therapeutic Services

Trauma-informed therapeutic services, including individual, group, and family therapy, plus coordination with local schools to keep youth on track academically

Aftercare Program

Life skills training and a dedicated six-month aftercare program that helps youth transition home or to their next placement with ongoing support and continuity of care.

About Norman C. Sleezer Youth Home

Empowering youth to become caring and productive individuals

For over 50 years, Norman C. Sleezer Youth Home has been part of the Freeport and Northwest Illinois community, providing a stable, nurturing environment for teen girls in need of residential treatment. Our mission is to empower youth to become caring and productive individuals through trauma-informed care, strong family involvement, and individualized treatment planning. We are accredited by the Council on Accreditation (COA) and licensed by Illinois DCFS, reflecting our commitment to quality and accountability. With master’s-level therapists, case managers, and dedicated direct care staff, we work closely with families and referral partners to support lasting, positive outcomes.

Volunteer

Sign up to share your time and talents with our residents, from helping with activities to supporting special projects at the home.

Donate

Make a financial gift to strengthen therapeutic services, daily care, and aftercare support for teen girls from Freeport and across Illinois.

Contact Our Intake Team

Reach out to our Intake Coordinator to explore partnership opportunities, referrals, or other ways your organization can support our mission.

Frequently Asked Questions

Answers for families, referral partners, and community members

  • What is Norman C. Sleezer Youth Home?

    Norman C. Sleezer Youth Home is a nonprofit therapeutic group home and residential treatment program in Freeport, IL, serving adolescent girls from across Illinois. We provide 24/7 structured care, therapy, and educational support in a safe, homelike environment designed to help youth heal from trauma and build healthy skills.

  • Who do you serve and how are youth referred?

    We serve teen girls who need a higher level of residential care, often referred through DCFS, juvenile probation, or school districts. Families can contact our Intake Coordinator directly, and we work with referring agencies to determine whether our program is an appropriate fit for the youth’s needs.

  • What services are included in your residential treatment program?

    Our program includes individualized treatment planning; individual, group, and family therapy; coordination with local schools for education; and daily structure focused on safety, coping skills, and life skills. Youth also benefit from recreational activities and community connections that support healthy development.

  • How long do youth stay, and what happens after discharge?

    Length of stay depends on each youth’s needs and treatment goals, and is determined in collaboration with the youth, family, and referring agency. After discharge, we provide a six-month aftercare program that offers ongoing contact and support to help maintain progress and ease the transition back home or to a new placement.

  • How are families involved in their child’s treatment?

    We believe family involvement is essential to long-term success, and we encourage regular family therapy sessions, visits, and communication. Our team partners with caregivers to build skills, strengthen relationships, and create a supportive plan that continues beyond the youth’s time at the home.