Stone Mountain youth shelter wins federal grant

Young People Matter, which runs the first emergency shelter for runaways and homeless youth in DeKalb and surrounding counties, recently won a $540,000 for its operations.

The three-year grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services runs through 2014 and will help operate the six-bed Open Hearts Shelter.

The facility – which is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week – also provides food, health screenings, education assistance and counseling for children DeKalb, Rockdale and Newton counties.