LaQuita and Cassandra found a home at CITY House.

The sisters are among thousands of abused and neglected kids who discovered love and stability at the nonprofit shelter.

CITY House recently celebrated its 20th anniversary with a gala event, and LaQuita and Cassandra gave testimonials. They came to CITY House a decade ago as adolescents after living in an abusive home.

"The counselors were real sweet to us," said LaQuita, now 23. "They treated us like we were their kids, not like we were in a group home."

Cassandra, 25, quickly bonded with the counselors, too. (CITY House does not provide last names of residents to protect their privacy.)

"They felt more like family than our own family," Cassandra said. "I could feel the love there."

The sisters can thank Nancy Boyd and Kay Goodman, Plano school employees who founded CITY House in 1988. They had noticed kids carrying trash bags full of belongings to school.

The youths were homeless – not sleeping under bridges, but bouncing from one friend or relative's couch to another to flee a dysfunctional home.

Ms. Boyd and Ms. Goodman met with a citizens' committee studying Plano's needs. They discussed the problem of youth homelessness and proposed a shelter.

"Nobody was particularly convinced or interested," Ms. Goodman said. "We left the meeting, and I said, 'Nancy, it looks like if we're going to do anything about this, it's going to be us.' "

The women held a series of lunches to raise awareness and donations for the shelter. About a year and a half later, CITY House opened in a small Plano home that could accommodate six youths.

In 1996, the shelter moved to the current house, which can handle 15 kids ages 10 to 17. They stay an average of 45 days.

Two decades later, Ms. Boyd and Ms. Goodman applaud the success of CITY House.

"We had a dream, and the dream came true," Ms. Boyd said.

The current CITY House staff has built on their dream. The agency has two "transitional" homes, where six people ages 18 to 24 can live. One is called the Boyd Boys' Home, the other the Goodman Girls' Home.

At those homes, young men and women learn social skills and practice managing money and paying bills, said Charles Wolford II, CITY House executive director.

"If we had three other homes, we could probably fill them up tomorrow," he said. "Transitional programs are ideal to help kids navigate young adult living to independence."

CITY House is planning another new venture. This spring, it will open My Friend's House, a shelter for abused and neglected kids from birth to age 9.

The 10,000-square-foot home on Independence Parkway in Plano will be able to accommodate 28 children. They can stay up to 90 days as Child Protective Services works to place them in a foster home, a permanent home or back with their parents.

The economic downturn has had an impact on CITY House. Usually, it sees a bump in donations during the holidays, but the extra giving isn't happening this year, Mr. Wolford said.

The United Way agency needs funds to complete and furnish the new $1.8 million children's shelter and maintain the youth shelter and transitional homes.

A decade ago, LaQuita and Cassandra were scared kids unsure of their future. Now they're confident young adults, excited about career and family. They credit CITY House.

"I felt safety, security and love," Cassandra said. "It changed my life."

For more information about CITY House and the various programs it offers, visit the agency's Web site at www.cityhouse.org. To make a donation, visit the Web site and click on the "Donations" link on the left side of the page.