Whaley Children's Center

What Whaley Children's Center does

Whaley Children's Center is a Flint, Michigan-based nonprofit founded in 1924 (first child admitted in 1927) that provides trauma-informed residential care, mental health and behavioral stabilization, on-grounds education, and independent living support for foster youth ages 5-17 in Michigan who have experienced abuse or neglect. The organization operates a Mental Health and Behavioral Stabilization Program delivering 24/7 care through the Mott Residence (three cottages with eight bedrooms each), two group homes (up to six youth each), and two independent living homes, Journey Home (opened 2022) and Hope House (opened 2024). In 2025 the Center cared for 69 children drawn from 30 Michigan counties against a statewide foster care population of 10,007 (2023). The organization holds CARF three-year reaccreditation (the highest level) since 2012 for residential and clinical programs, employs 101-250 staff, and is led by President & CEO Mindy Williams with a 13-member Community Board of Directors.

Core clinical offerings include weekly individual and group therapy delivered by master-level therapists using evidence-based modalities (Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, EMDR, Somatic Therapy) alongside proprietary frameworks such as the Tree of Empowerment treatment model (designed to transition youth to less restrictive placements within 6-9 months) and the PowerSource group therapy program. Crisis intervention follows the Therapeutic Crisis Intervention (TCI) model. Educational services are delivered through the LaFontaine Learning Academy via a partnership with Lansing Learning Hub, offering small class sizes, real-life learning, and credit recovery, and outcomes are tracked via the Casey Life Skills Assessment for the Independent Living Plus program, which also includes 12-month post-discharge aftercare.

The revenue model is heavily government-anchored: approximately 80% of funding flows from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) via state contracts, with the remainder raised through individual and corporate donations, recurring "Village" monthly gifts, annual fundraising events (Tux & Tennies Gala and Auction, Whaley Golf Classic, Cars 108 Roof Sit), in-kind donations (Amazon Registry), and third-party community fundraisers (Facebook, Kroger Community Rewards). Services are not billed to recipients; stated cost per child per day is approximately $40 for therapeutic support, enrichment, and everyday experiences. Referred-care relationships with MDHHS and other authorized agencies are the primary intake channel, making the organization effectively a contracted provider rather than a consumer-facing service business.

Name

Whaley Children's Center

Legal name

Whaley Children's Center

Website

https://whaleychildren.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1924

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Flint, Michigan-based nonprofit founded in 1924 providing trauma-informed residential care, mental health and behavioral stabilization, and on-grounds education for foster youth ages 5-17 across 30 Michigan counties, with approximately 80 percent state-funded through the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Residential Foster Care Services

NAICS

Residential Mental Health and Substance Abuse Facilities (62322), Child and Youth Services (62411)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Nursing & Personal Care Facilities (8050)

akta.pro primary industry

Residential Mental Health Treatment Centers (HLAFACAC)

akta.pro secondary industry

Youth Housing, Foster Care & Wraparound Support (Education-Linked) Nonprofits (BPAGADAO)

Keywords

• Residential foster care
• Trauma-informed treatment
• Mental health stabilization
• Independent living support
• Therapeutic education services

Headquarters

HQ city

Flint

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain, Others

Revenue model

1. Government Funding: Approximately 80% of funding comes from state government sources, primarily through MDHHS contracts, covering essential needs such as food and housing for children in care.
2. Donations and Contributions: Individual and corporate donations through direct mail, online giving platforms, and monthly recurring gift programs (Village donors).
3. Fundraising Events: Revenue generated from annual events including Tux & Tennies Gala and Auction, Whaley Golf Classic, and Cars 108 Roof Sit.
4. In-Kind Donations: Donations of essential items, household supplies, food, and other necessities through Amazon Registry and direct drop-offs.
5. Third-Party Fundraising: Community members and businesses host fundraisers on behalf of the organization, including Facebook fundraisers and Kroger Community Rewards program.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Whaley Children's Center provides 24/7 trauma-informed residential care, mental-health and behavioral stabilization, weekly individual/group therapy, on-grounds education, case management, and independent-living support for Michigan foster youth (ages 5-17) who have experienced abuse or neglect and have not responded to traditional interventions. Care is delivered on a Flint, MI campus that includes the Mott Residence cottages, two group homes, and two independent-living homes (Journey Home and Hope House), funded primarily through state contracts and charitable donations.

Product overview

Whaley Children's Center is a nonprofit organization providing a comprehensive suite of residential care and support services for foster youth in Michigan. The organization operates a Mental Health and Behavioral Stabilization Program as its core offering, providing 24/7 trauma-informed residential care for children and teens ages 5-17 who have experienced abuse or neglect. Educational services are delivered through the LaFontaine Learning Academy (in partnership with Lansing Learning Hub), while therapeutic support includes weekly individual and group therapy using evidence-based approaches. The Independent Living Plus program supports youth ages 16-19 in transitioning to adulthood through two independent living homes (Journey Home and Hope House). Supporting programs include volunteer and mentor services, case management, food and nutrition services, and referral coordination. The residential infrastructure includes the Mott Residence (three cottages) and two group homes, serving approximately 48-69 children from counties across Michigan.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Mental Health and Behavioral Stabilization Program 24/7 trauma-informed residential mental health and behavioral stabilization program for foster youth ages 5-17, treating aggressive behaviors, problematic sexualized behaviors, suicidal/self-harming behaviors, emotional disturbance, and DSM-V diagnosable disorders; provided on the Flint campus or in two group homes under the proprietary Tree of Empowerment framework.
• Residential Care Program Core residential care at the Flint, MI campus including the Mott Residence (three cottages, each with eight individual bedrooms, kitchenette, living/dining rooms, restrooms, and laundry) and two group homes housing up to six youth each, with commercial kitchen, cafeteria, Family Game Room, recreational building with gym, craft room, and two classrooms.
• Therapeutic Support Services Weekly individual and group therapy delivered by master-level therapists using evidence-based approaches including Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, EMDR, Somatic Therapy, and Therapeutic Crisis Intervention (TCI), plus crisis intervention and on-grounds psychiatric services, supporting the PowerSource group therapy program for at-risk youth.
• Case Management Services Bachelor-level case management for every child, including advocacy in court and professional meetings, documentation of needs, collaboration with caregivers and outside professionals, and 12 months of aftercare services following discharge.
• LaFontaine Learning Academy On-grounds school operated in partnership with Lansing Learning Hub, offering small class sizes, real-life learning experiences, and credit recovery support for foster youth in care, designed to meet the educational needs of a diverse population through respectful, trusting relationships and student-empowered learning.
• Independent Living Plus (ILP) Transition program for youth ages 16-19 moving from foster care to adulthood, delivered across two independent living homes (Journey Home and Hope House) with private bedrooms, shared spaces, 16+ hours of daily staff support, guidance in independent living skills, educational and vocational opportunities, and case management services.

Quantifiable outcome

• Youth stabilized and transitioned to less restrictive placements within 6-9 months
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• SERVPRO of Fenton and Northwest Genesee CountyminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 December 2025Delivered a donation of slippers and sheets to Whaley Children's Center as part of the GREAT Great Harvest Sleep Out fundraising event held in Flint, Michigan. The partnership supports the Center's residential programs and support services for children affected by abuse or neglect.
• Great Harvest Bread Co. Grand BlancminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 December 2025Owner Scott Sassack spent three days and two nights outdoors in cold conditions to raise funds and awareness for the Center at the GREAT Great Harvest Sleep Out fundraising event.
• Lansing Learning HubcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides on-grounds education through partnership with Lansing Learning Hub (via 2nd Street Academy), offering unique educational experiences on campus to meet individual needs of the diverse population through building respectful and trusting relationships and empowering student voice.
• Client Financial ServicesminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPresenting sponsor for the Whaley Golf Classic annual fundraising event at Warwick Hills Golf and Country Club.
• Cars 108 / The Cars Morning Drive with Jeremy FenechminorGTM or Marketing PartnerRadio station partnership for the Cars 108 Roof Sit fundraiser. The team spent three days on the roof of a McDonald's across from Grand Blanc High School to raise awareness and funds for the 48 foster children living at the Center.
• Casey Life Skills AssessmentcoreTechnology or IntegrationUsed by the Independent Living Program to assess and determine case management services based on individual youth needs.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves13 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Boys Town: Nationally recognized nonprofit operating residential group homes, in-home services, and behavioral health programs for at-risk youth across multiple states; broader scale but overlapping residential and trauma-informed care model.

Direct peers

• Vista Maria: Dearborn Heights, Michigan nonprofit providing residential treatment, mental health services, and specialized programs (including for human trafficking survivors) to girls and young women in state custody; competes for similar Michigan residential placement contracts.
• Beech Brook: Cleveland, Ohio-based nonprofit offering residential treatment, outpatient behavioral health, and school-based services for children with mental health and trauma needs; parallel Midwest nonprofit residential model.
• Starr Commonwealth: Michigan-founded nonprofit with residential treatment, behavioral health, and education programs for at-risk youth; comparable trauma-informed residential model and similar statewide referral footprint.
• National Youth Advocate Program (NYAP): National nonprofit providing residential, treatment foster care, and behavioral health services to children and families in state custody; directly competes for similar government-funded residential referrals and trauma-informed programming.
• Devereux Advanced Behavioral Health: One of the largest U.S. nonprofit operators of residential treatment and behavioral health services for children and adolescents, including trauma-informed care programs; directly comparable to Whaley's Mental Health and Behavioral Stabilization model across multiple states.
• Lighthouse Youth Services: Cincinnati-based nonprofit offering residential treatment, independent living, and emergency shelter for adolescents in custody; closely parallels Whaley's combined residential-stabilization and Independent Living Plus service mix.
• Wedgwood Christian Services: Grand Rapids, Michigan-based nonprofit providing residential treatment, trauma-focused therapy, and human trafficking recovery services for youth; operates CARF-accredited programs that directly overlap with Whaley's Michigan referral geography and acuity range.
• KVC Behavioral HealthCare (Michigan): Nonprofit child welfare and behavioral health provider operating residential treatment, family preservation, and foster care services across multiple states including Michigan; competes for similar MDHHS referrals and trauma-informed populations.
• Children's Home Society of Michigan: Michigan nonprofit providing residential treatment, adoption, and behavioral health services to children across the state; similar CARF-accredited residential programs and direct competition for MDHHS placements.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/WhaleyChildren

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles14 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Whaley Children's Center