Holly Hill was recently featured on What’s The Point? on WDJO, where CEO James Sherry joined hosts Andy Furman, and Jake Furman to discuss the organization’s mission, impact, and future.
The conversation offered listeners a candid look into the realities facing some of the region’s most vulnerable youth, particularly adolescent girls who have experienced severe trauma, including sexual exploitation and trafficking. Holly Hill operates a highly specialized residential program serving girls ages 12–17 in state custody, providing 24/7 care in a structured, therapeutic environment designed to support healing and long-term stability.
“This work is a privilege,” Sherry shared during the interview. “We meet young people at a time of incredible vulnerability, and to walk alongside them as they move toward stability and independence, it’s the privilege of a lifetime.”
Holly Hill’s approach combines clinical care, education, life skills development, and individualized treatment planning. Youth in the residential program receive intensive therapeutic support, including multiple therapy sessions each week, while continuing their education on campus or at local schools. The goal is clear: to help each young person reach a point where they no longer need that level of care.
“We measure success by whether a child is ready to move on,” Sherry noted. “Whether that’s returning home, transitioning to a foster or adoptive family, or moving toward independent living.”
The interview also highlighted Holly Hill’s unique role in Kentucky as a specialized provider for high-acuity youth who have experienced trafficking, an area of growing need with limited dedicated resources. In response, the organization has partnered with state leaders to expand its capacity and deepen its level of care.
With recent support from the Kentucky legislature, Holly Hill is investing in both critical facility upgrades and a new psychiatric residential treatment facility that will significantly expand its ability to serve youth with the highest levels of need.
For Sherry, the work is deeply personal yet grounded in community. “This region has embraced our mission,” he said. “And together, we’re building something that gives young people the chance to write a different future.”
Listen to the full interview below to learn more about Holly Hill’s work and impact across Northern Kentucky.
