RUMFORD – A 33-year-old agency that serves youth at risk and families has taken two more steps to broaden its help to those who need assistance.

Rumford Group Homes, based in Rumford, learned recently that it is one of three similar agencies in New England to receive $200,000 a year for five years to develop a transitional living program for homeless and runaway people ages 16-21.

At about the same time, the local agency purchased The Galilee House in Norway. This nonprofit home provided emergency shelter for homeless women and children.

“We’re thrilled to do this. There’s a real need in the community,” said Nick Waugh, president of the board for Rumford Group Homes on Friday afternoon. “These are opportunities to serve a needy population.”

The five-year grant, provided by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services through the Runaway and Homeless Youth Act, will establish agency-owned apartments for 10 homeless young people throughout Oxford County. It will also serve about 30 additional young people through case management and other assistance, said Paula Paladino, executive assistant for Rumford Group Homes.

A director of homeless services will be hired, as will a youth worker who will help provide guidance and information on education, skills development, mental health services, medical referrals and other transitional living services.

The new program is an extension of Rumford Group Homes’ Homeless Youth Outreach program that has been in operation for almost a decade.

Waugh said the new program is a necessary step to help meet the needs of certain populations that are no longer served by the state.

Youths will be eligible to receive services for 18 months.

The Galilee House had been operated by a ministry with a married couple living on site for eight years, said Paladino. It closed in September.

Rumford Group Homes is waiting for grants to come through to make repairs for the 12-bed facility targeted for women ages 18 to early 30s who have young children and may have been displaced because of abandonment, domestic violence or other reasons.

Once a director of homeless services is hired, that person will oversee a homeless youth outreach staff member and a live-in house manager for The Galilee House, Paladino said.

Purchasing The Galilee House seemed a natural fit for Rumford Group Homes, said Al Monier, executive director of the local agency in a statement, because the agency’s mission is to serve children, youth and families in need. The sale price was not disclosed.

It is expected to reopen by the end of the winter.

Paladino said Rumford Group Homes served 120 residential youth and nearly 70 outreach youth during 2006.

Those who may need services from or who have referrals for the Transitional Living Program or The Galilee House may contact 364-3551 or 357-5579.

The other two New England states that received similar grants were Massachusetts and New Hampshire.