In the 1950’s the Kyes family donated their family home to the county to be used for the betterment of youth. The county commissioners determined at that time that the home should be used by what was then the County Welfare Department for children in their custody.
Over the years the name of the agency has changed: the Welfare Department became the Department of Human Services and finally the Department of Job and Family Services. Kyes has changed as well. Originally called Kyes Receiving Home, the facility was co-ed for children and youth entering substitute care, for a 30 day period. The facility name then changed to Kyes Group Home, also known as Kyes Home, and is now known as Kyes Family Service Center.
The Kyes Task Force, a group of concerned citizens, representing child serving agencies and the general public, serves as an advisory committee, providing input into the program. Caring for Kyes, a fundraising group, conducts numerous fund raising activities each year, which provide monies for capital improvements at the facility.
Caring for Kyes Committee has three annual fund-raisers. These fundraisers are a penny drive during the month of March; selling of Boscov’s and Simon Evening of Giving shopping passes in the months of October & November; and the annual Caring for Kyes Auction held the first Saturday in October.
The Kyes Home underwent extensive renovations prior to the reopening in September 2001, when an Adopt-A-Room project was implemented. This project involved more than forty-one organizations and individuals who donated their time and money to renovating a part of the Kyes Home. Between money, labor and volunteer time, the home had close to $100,00 worth of repairs, replacements and renovations done to upgrade and enhance the home setting at Kyes. This project began the involvement of the community and has sparked a growing interest in the residents of Kyes and the children of Columbiana County.
Current renovations and up-keep of the Kyes Home is being done through the Caring for Kyes fund-raisers and through local church organizations and businesses who make the Kyes Home “their mission” and volunteer their time and money.
Individuals and/or organizations wishing to make a tax deductible contribution for the capital improvements at “our” Kyes Home or for the needs and activities of the residents or anyone wanting more information about the Kyes Home or would like a speaker for an upcoming meeting or event – please call 330-424-1471 extension 1100 and speak with Carol Harvey, Business Office Administrator.