Providing a safe, nurturing environment for youth in need
Our story began on Christmas Eve, 1973, when a 12-year-old girl ran away from home.
When a police officer saw her walking alongside a road, he stopped to pick her up. She begged him not to return her home but instead let her spend the night in the county jail. Her home life had become a nightmare and she was scared to return. She would rather spend Christmas Eve night on a jailhouse bunk bed than suffer any more abuse.
This youth’s experience was the rallying point for a group of concerned western North Carolina citizens who were determined that no child should have to choose between an unsafe home situation or jail.
Since our doors opened in 1976, Hawthorn Heights has provided shelter to thousands of youths.
Originally located in Dillsboro, NC, the shelter was later relocated to Bryson City, NC in 1980. The 9-bed facility served boys and girls, 12-17 years old, who were in need of a safe, nurturing place to go. With an average of 50 youth per year being served by the program, an estimated 2,250 children have received shelter and support through Hawthorn Heights.
