Our History & Story

More than 55 years of providing hope and healing in our community.

How It All Began

In 1970, Comprehensive Youth Services, Inc. was founded with a single mission: to help vulnerable youth and families find safety, stability, and hope. What began as a small initiative to support runaway and homeless youth has grown into a multi-program organization serving thousands across Macomb and St. Clair Counties each year.

Evolution Over the Years

1970s

  • Comprehensive Youth Services is established in Mount Clemens, Michigan.
  • Early focus: prevention and crisis intervention for runaway and homeless youth.

1980s–1990s

  • Expanded services to include mental health counseling, outreach, and support for at-risk families.
  • The Clinton Counseling Center is launched, providing outpatient mental health and substance use treatment.

2000s

  • Clinton Counseling Center adds a presence in the Macomb County Jail, creating a prevention-focused substance use program for incarcerated individuals.
  • Family Youth Interventions grows, offering short-term shelter for youth ages 12–17 in crisis.

2010s

  • Transitional Living and Rapid Rehousing programs are developed to help older youth ages 16–24 find long-term housing and independence.
  • A second youth shelter, The Harbor, is launched to serve youth in St. Clair County.

2020s – Present

  • CYS celebrates over 50 years of service.
  • Programming continues to evolve to meet the growing mental health and housing needs of young people in Southeast Michigan.
  • The organization focuses on trauma-informed care, community partnerships, and sustainability.

Why We Exist

From the very beginning, Comprehensive Youth Services was built to fill a gap—for young people who had nowhere else to go, and families who needed support and healing. Today, our work remains rooted in the belief that individual deserves a safe place to stay, someone who believes in them, and a pathway to thrive. For more than five decades, we’ve helped thousands of individuals:

  • Find safety during a crisis
  • Overcome mental health and substance use challenges
  • Rebuild family relationships
  • Secure long-term housing and support

Our history is one of resilience, community, and transformation—and we’re just getting started.