Tomeka Mills Launches Birmingham Youth Shelter
The A.W. Brooks Serenity Home aims to provide stable housing for teenage girls facing abuse or neglect in Birmingham.
Updated on Oct. 21, 2026 in Teens
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In 2025, Tomeka Mills founded the A.W. Brooks Serenity Home, a nonprofit organization designed to offer support and shelter to teenage girls. The initiative focuses on assisting girls aged 14 to 18 who are currently experiencing housing instability, abuse, or neglect.
Why it matters
The project serves as a critical resource for vulnerable youth by providing a structured living environment staffed by social workers. It seeks to fill a gap in care for older teenagers who often face significant challenges finding permanent placement within the foster system.
The planned facility intends to accommodate 10 to 12 teenage girls aged 14 to 18. This service addresses a demographic where 27% of adopted children were over the age of nine as of 2022.
The players
Tomeka Mills
She is a realtor and a supply train coordinator who founded a nonprofit organization for teenage girls.
Alabama Department of Human Resources
This state agency oversees child welfare and social services for residents across Alabama.
The details
Tomeka Mills, a realtor and supply train coordinator at Shelby Hospital, is currently securing grants to fund the construction of a house featuring activity rooms and professional staff, including a house mom. The organization is establishing partnerships with the Alabama Department of Human Resources to support its mission.
Timeline
2000: A.W. Brooks passed away.
2022: 27% of adopted children were over age nine.
2025: Tomeka Mills founded A.W. Brooks Serenity Home.
2027: Mills expects to receive her bachelor's degree.
Culture Shift
This facility responds to the societal need for specialized support for older foster youth, a group that is frequently harder to place in permanent homes. It follows a pattern where community organizations step in to provide stability for demographic segments often overlooked by broader adoption trends.
The home will eventually provide a secure living space for girls in the community who are facing housing instability. Families and social workers in the area will have a new resource to consider when navigating placements for teenagers in need of intensive support.
The takeaway
The A.W. Brooks Serenity Home focuses on filling a vital void by creating a stable, supportive environment for teenagers transitioning through difficult life circumstances. Its model demonstrates how targeted, community-led initiatives can provide safety for vulnerable youth populations.
Further reading
Learn more about local initiatives and resources for youth in our Birmingham Teens section.
More information
For additional information on the mission and project goals, visit the A.W. Brooks Serenity Home website.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Birmingham Times.
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