Family Connection Inc. recently raised funds to support their Youth Residential Center.

For the second year in a row, Family Connection Inc. partnered with Full Moon Bar-B-Que to sell tickets, which could be exchanged for pork butts or smoked turkey breasts.

Family Connection Inc. also sold poinsettia plants through its partnership with a wholesale distributor

“We did it last year and it was very successful, so we decided to do it again this year,” said Family Connection Inc. Executive Director Susan Johnston.

Johnston said she is grateful to Full Moon Bar-B-Que and everyone who participated in their sales during the holiday season.

“Our poinsettia plants are beautiful, and the pork butts and smoked turkey are absolutely delicious,” Johnston said. “People are getting a great product at a great price, and they’re helping the youth in our community.”

Family Connection Inc. was able to purchase Christmas gifts for their residents through their Christmas Ornament sponsorship program.

Personalized ornaments were hung on the Residential Youth Center’s Christmas tree to acknowledge community members who donated $25. Johnston said many people sponsored ornaments to honor someone special or commemorate deceased loved ones.

“Everybody likes getting presents. These young people may have issues, but they’re still kids,” Johnston said. “It’s my wish that every child gets a present on Christmas.”

The Youth Residential Center is open to homeless, runaway and at risk-youth from ages 12 to 17. The facility has 18 beds and offers individual, family and group counseling.

Youth at the facility are able to attend public school or enroll in a GED program, if necessary.

Johnston said the Youth Residential Center holds a 93 percent success rate in reuniting children with their families.

“It gives young people in a crisis a safe place to go throughout the year. Whatever their need is, we meet it. However, our long-term goal is to get them into a stable place,” Johnston said.

While sales from this year will help cover some of the Residential Youth Center’s expenses, donations are always accepted.

For more information about the sales or the Residential Youth Center, email susan@familyconnection-inc.com or visit Familyconnection.org.