September 19, 2024
This Mother’s Day, May 14th, will see many churches celebrating Children’s Home Day. It’s a special day of prayer and offering to honor and help continue the ministry of Georgia Baptist Children’s Homes and Family Ministries.
The Home provides a wide range of services for children in need, with campuses throughout the state of Georgia. Group Home Care, family care, foster care, counseling, along with programs for children with special needs and education are just some of the ministries offered.
In 2022, the Children’s Home celebrated 150 years of ministry. Initially founded in 1872, to care for orphaned children left in the aftermath of the Civil War. Over the years, the children’s home has evolved to meet the ever-changing needs of children in Georgia and has grown to become one of the largest providers of child services in the state.
The Home’s network of campuses provides a safe and nurturing environment for children who have been removed from their own homes due to abuse, neglect, or other traumatic situations. Each campus provides a unique environment tailored to the needs of the children who live there.
The staff includes trained professionals who work to provide the children with the care and support they deserve and need to thrive. This includes everything from food, clothing, and shelter, to education, counseling, and spiritual guidance. The children who live in the Home participate in a variety of activities and programs designed to help them develop skills and interests, build relationships with their peers and caregivers, and prepare for the future.
The Family Foster Care program works to place children in individual homes throughout metro Atlanta and surrounding counties, with the goal of primarily recruiting families from our Baptist churches and establishing additional support for these families through their local church. Support and guidance are of the upmost importance for these families during the fostering process, including home studies, placement services, and post-placement support.
The Home’s Family Care Program is designed to assist mothers and their children who were once victims of domestic violence. On average, families are enrolled in the program for nine to twelve months and it provides housing, food, clothing, counseling, and spiritual guidance to help them in rebuilding their lives.
Good Shepherd Therapeutic Center in Warm Springs, Georgia is a residential farm-based program for boys and an outpatient equestrian riding therapy program for children and adults.
It’s the mission of GBCH&FM to provide a safe and loving home for children who are unable to live with their biological families and give the best possible care to the children and families in their care. In 2022 the Home cared for 486 clients resulting in 59, 112 days of care and celebrated 22 children who dedicated their lives to Jesus Christ.
Children’s Home Day is a way for you to help through your local church. You can participate in this special offering to pray that God will continue to help lead those in their care to the new life that is available by making Jesus Christ the Lord of their life.
Although GBCH&FM is an agency of The Georgia Baptist Mission Board, they receive no funding from Georgia Baptist Mission Board or the Cooperative Program. During the Great Depression, it was mutually agreed that the Children’s Home would raise its own funding and one of the ways is through Children’s Home Day.
Contact Georgia Baptist Children’s Home and Family Ministries at 770-463-3800 or go to GeorgiaChildren.org/chd to receive more information on how you and your church can help in meeting the needs of children and families or to order resources for use in your observance of Children’s Home Day.
__
Rod Hampton is the Communications Coordinator for Georgia Baptist Children’s Homes & Family Ministries.
