Atlas Adopts Youth Homes' Children For The Holidays - Store Owner Jay Underwood States, 'Community Involvement is Impactful and Fun'

Walnut Creek, CA (PRWEB) November 27, 2007 -- Atlas, the modern men's clothing, shoe and gift store, (http://www.atlasshops.com), with locations in Walnut Creek and Squaw Valley, CA today announced it has adopted one of the four houses operated by Youth Homes, Inc. (http://www.youthhomes.org) for the holiday season. Youth Homes is a non-profit organization that provides high quality residential treatment programs for abused and neglected children and adolescents in Contra Costa County.

Each child at Youth Homes receives an annual stipend of $240 from the State for their clothing and shoe needs. This amount makes it difficult, with growing feet and bodies, to be clothed appropriately during the different seasons for school and home life. Atlas will display a holiday tree with requests from the children of the Cherry Lane house from which their customers can

select a wish. Customers then donate a wish item purchased by the customer and delivered to the store, or cash for the store for the purchase the item or gift card. In addition, Atlas is giving each child a coat and track jacket as a special gift from their company. Atlas will accept cash and gift donations for Youth Homes through Sunday, December 16, 2007.

"Our day-to-day operations mirror the intent of Youth Homes. Atlas nurtures the men and women who work for us, who are part of our family - to provide them with a path to success and help them to develop as individuals," said Jay Underwood, who owns Atlas with partner Jim Buschiazzo. "We are excited to be part of making a more successful life for the boys and girls in Youth Homes' care. The donations from Atlas and our customers will enable these children to be clothed as well as celebrate this season. We believe in being involved in our community, our active role in supporting the children of Youth Homes is impactful and fun."     

"Community support is what enables Youth Homes to maintain the quality of care these children require," said Stuart McCullough, executive director of Youth Homes. "The involvement of Atlas and its customers encourage our young people to find their place in our community, to have a sense of belonging in a society that they have never known before."

The Cherry Lane house, home to six Youth Homes' children, will be presented with the gifts prior to Christmas by Jay Underwood and staff, to be placed under the annual house Christmas tree.

About Atlas

Atlas opened in Walnut Creek in 2002, and offers men's fashions, accessories and skin care from top designers and suppliers such as 4YOU, Anthony, Baxter of California, Ben Sherman, Buffalo, CIN-2, Citizen's of Humanity, Diesel, Division E, French Connection, Gravis, gsus, Mark Nasion, Modern Amusement, Monarchy, Nixon, Oakley and Zents. This safe haven for shopping, is designed for the 25- to 50-year old man and offers a high level of personal service. A no pressure sales environment, where men relax and feel good about themselves while shopping, is at the core of the Atlas corporate philosophy. Atlas considers its customers its friends.

Atlas in Walnut Creek is located at 1356 N Main Street (one block north of Mt. Diablo on Main Street) and is open Monday to Saturday from 11am to 8pm, and Sunday from 11am to 6pm. Atlas also has a store in Squaw Valley, CA. For further information please visit http://www.atlasshops.com, call +1 925 933-8050 or contact the store at info@atlasshops.com.

About Youth Homes, Inc.

Youth Homes Inc., is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization that has been in operation for 45 years, providing California counties with high quality residential treatment programs for abused and neglected children and adolescents. Current programs focus on providing residential treatment in Contra Costa County. The agency provides a safe and supportive environment for 30 boys and girls in four State-licensed facilities, 24-hours a day.

The organization was founded in Contra Costa in 1964, when a group of concerned citizens responded to articles in the Contra Costa Times and the Oakland Tribune which exposed Juvenile Halls overcrowding with children who could no longer remain in their homes, most often through no fault of their own.

For further information, to send donations and ask questions, please contact Youth Homes, Inc., 1291 Oakland Boulevard, P. O. Box 5759, Walnut Creek, CA 94596-1759, +1 925 933-2627, fax: +1 925 933-5824

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