Briarpatch Youth Services is designed to support youth who are experiencing homelessness or safety concerns where they are staying. Shelter is voluntary, temporary, and non-punitive.
At Briarpatch Youth Shelter, we are committed to creating a safe, supportive, and structured environment for every youth in our care. Below are important details and guidelines to help caregivers understand what to expect during a youth’s stay.
Youth accessing shelter will be assigned a Youth Advocate, who will be working and communicating with the youth and their caregiver/team, in figuring out next steps after a shelter stay.
Learn More About Shelter Basics & Rules
Briarpatch Youth Shelter is located at 2720 Rimrock Road, Fitchburg, WI 53713 (6 blocks south of the Beltline)
- Call 608.251.1126 or 800.798.1126 for further information about our intake process
- Transportation to the shelter may be available if needed
- Admissions are accepted 24 hours a day, 365 days a year
Service accessibility is a top priority for Briarpatch. All services are provided at no cost to clients.
Celebrating 10 Years of Shelter, Support, and Second Chances
Since opening its doors on October 1, 2015, Briarpatch Youth Shelter has been a vital resource for hundreds of young people in crisis, offering safe shelter, 24/7 support, and compassionate care. As the shelter celebrates its 10th anniversary, Briarpatch is calling on the community to help raise $10,000, an amount that will be matched dollar-for-dollar to double the impact to $20,000. Over the years, the shelter has grown significantly, providing a record 1,377 nights of shelter in 2024 alone.
This fundraising effort will support both ongoing services and critical maintenance needs like roof repairs and capital improvements to keep the shelter safe and welcoming. A gift of $100 or any amount goes to helps ensure that Briarpatch can continue being a lifeline for youth for years to come.
Donation By Mail:
Make a tax deductible donation today! Make checks out to Briarpatch Youth Services, Inc. and mail to:
Briarpatch Youth Services, Inc.
Attn: Development Office
2720 Rimrock Road
Fitchburg, WI 53713-3337
If you have questions about donating, please reach out to our Development Office at: 608.245.2550 or contact@briarpatch.org
Impact:
- As of June 30, 2025, we have provided more than 8,100 nights of shelter since we opened in 2015.
- As of June 30, 2025, 648 unduplicated youth have been served through Youth Shelter programming.
- In 2024, we offered more nights of shelter than any other previous year, with over 1,350 nights of total shelter to youth.
