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When
did the Church of God Children’s Home of North
Carolina (Home) start?
The
Home was established in 1945 after two girls
were left with Reverend A. V. Childers, pastor
of the Elm Street Church of God (now the Kannapolis
Church of God). He partnered with Mr. Charles
A. Cannon, founder of Cannon Mills, to open
the Home. Later that year the ministers of
the Churches of God of North Carolina adopted
the Home as a state ministry.
Why
do children come to live at the Home?
There
are many reasons a child may become a resident
of the Home. Children 17 years of age and
younger come to us due to abuse, dependent
neglect, at-risk behavior, parents or guardians
who are unable to care for them for various
reasons, etc. Residents in our Independent
Living Program are 18 to 21-years old who
for different reasons need a safe place while
they finish their education and learn skills
to become successful adults. Many are homeless.
The girls in our Teen Mother/Baby Program
need a safe place for themselves and their
babies while they finish their education and
learn independent living/mothering skills.
Where
do the residents of the Home come from?
We
receive referrals from the North Carolina
Department of Social Services, pastors, schools
and individuals. Privately placed children
who are appropriate for our program, are not
refused for the inability to pay.
What
is life of at the Home like for a resident?
Children
live in cottages with house parents. Each
cottage has a capacity for eight residents.
No more than two residents share a room. Participants
in our STAR Program (independent living) have
a coordinator who supervises the cottage instead
of house parents. These residents have single
rooms. Residents share cottage chores, maintain
their own laundry and clean their rooms.
Where
do the residents attend school?
Our
residents attend local public schools and
are encouraged to participate in extracurricular
activities. Tutors come to the campus to help
those who need additional help.
Are
students provided the opportunity to attend
college?
Opportunities
are available for residents to attend a local
community college before transferring to a
University. Advanced training in vocational
skills is available for residents who are
not suited for or do not choose to attend
college.
How
long do children stay at the Home?
The
length of stay varies for each resident. Often
the length is determined by those who place
the child. Each resident has an individual
treatment plan to follow. How successful a
child is depends on how well they follow their
plan and this will affect the length of their
stay.
What
religious, recreational and social activities
are available?
The
Home provides a holistic approach to child
care, in which Faith is a vital part. Our
residents attend a local church and have the
opportunities to become involved in youth
groups, music and drama. Devotions and Christian
guidance are offered in the cottages and in
classes. The Home offers a wide variety of
recreational activities to include: basketball,
swimming, softball, billiards, ping pong,
foosball, Wii fit and other games. The residents
have many opportunities for activities in
the community and on campus.
How
is the Home financed?
The
Home is financed through donations from churches,
individuals, grants and reimbursement from
the Department of Social Services. The Home
is audited annually by an independent auditing
firm. A twelve-member Board of Directors meets
quarterly and provides financial oversight
for the Home.
How
may I partner with the Home to help hurting
children in need?
1.
Pray for the needs of the children and Home.
2. Become a “120 Club” member by donating
$10 per month. Sponsor a privately-placed
child, by contributing $25 per month. For
$100 per month you will be a cottage sponsor.
Each of these opportunities helps with the
general care of the children.
3. Collect UPC codes from Campbell’s products.
Each UPC code counts as points toward a product
that will benefit. We are presently working
for a new mini van.
4. Partner with Food Lion Community Rewards
Program by adding our code number with you
MVP card number. Click on the “Ways to Donate”
tab for instructions.
5. Participate in Mother’s Day and Harvest
Festival offerings.
6. Dress a child for Easter or school.
7. Volunteer.
8. Spread the word. Tell others about the
Home and suggest they get involved as well.
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