The first coastal residential treatment program and child placement agency for at risk children ages 5 to 12 years

“Celebrating 20 years of helping heal the hurt.”
The Yahweh Center has become a regional residential treatment program and child-placing agency for abused, neglected and at risk children under the age of 12 years. It has its origins in 1987 when the founder and executive director Carla J. Roberts had a vision to start a agency that helped heal the hurt of some of North Carolina’s most at risk children. The Yahweh Center now offers residential treatment, psychiatric outpatient services, play therapy, therapeutic foster care, adoption services, and works with attachment disorder children and families. Yet, these services and a place like this have not always been available in Eastern North Carolina.

In 1988, the Yahweh Center first opened its doors to the public as the first 90-day Emergency Shelter for Children under 12 years of age in all of Eastern North Carolina. Shortly after the doors opened the Yahweh Center began tracking the outcomes of the children that were passing through its care. It became apparent that many of these children were not being helped by the then current state mental health system. Many of these children where simply flowing through the over burdened state mental health system. The executive director began to envision the need for a place where children could be placed that offered a comprehensive program of healing and restoration. Carla envisioned the Yahweh Center becoming a Christ-centered ministry where children could be provided the best of care and operated in an environment of unconditional love that was geared towards optimum child development. The Yahweh Center by 1998 had raised enough funds through public, civic, and local companies in and around Wilmington North Carolina that it purchased land in northern New Hanover County that would become the Yahweh Center Children’s Village. The Yahweh Center now provides comprehensive treatment to the parents and families of children by following a structured family oriented intervention methodology. Where possible the Yahweh Center tries to help children learn the methods and coping skills necessary for them to grow up in the family system to which they belong. However, when family reunification is not an option other alternatives are sought to ensure emotional security and permanence for the child. The Yahweh Center has a 90% permanent placement success rate. The Yahweh Center is a Christian 501 3c non-profit organization with a rotating board of directors. Financial support comes from private individuals, churches, businesses, civic groups, and fundraising events. The Center also works with foundations and contracts for clinical fee for service. We depend a great deal on the generosity of the Cape Fear Region. For a more detailed history written by our founder Carla J. Roberts of the Yahweh Center Children’s Village please download the PDF copy of our history.



“Jesus said to them…anyone who welcomes a little child like this in my name is welcoming me.” Mark 9:37