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Truett Association and Baptist Children’s Homes Partner for New Home

Truett Association and Baptist Children’s Homes
Partner for New Home

February 06, 2008

It was a joyous occasion as approximately 300 supporters and friends attended a special open house on Sunday, February 3. Guests celebrated the opening of the Truett Baptist Association Children’s Home which will provide services to children and families in the Clay County, Cherokee County, and Graham County areas. The new home near Hayesville is the culmination of two years of hard work resulting in a unique partnership between the Truett Baptist Association and Baptist Children’s Homes of North Carolina (BCH).

“We are excited to partner with the Truett Baptist Association to provide these special services to children and families in Clay County and the surrounding area,” said BCH president Michael C. Blackwell. “We have a tremendous relationship with the Truett Association. They care greatly for the families in their community, and we are proud to work with them to bring hope and healing to children and families.”

Truett Baptist Association director of missions Mitchell Shields has long seen a need in the area for services to children and families. According to Shields, the goal to build the new home has united the community.

“This home has really pulled people in these three counties together to help children,” said Shields. “There has never been as much excitement about any ministry the Truett Association has done. It is the most significant project we have ever undertaken.”

The partnership between the Truett Association and BCH is a natural fit. As a nonprofit institution that largely depends on church and donor support, BCH has provided residential services to children and families across the state for more than a century. The 61 Baptist churches that comprise the Truett Association are already financial supporters of BCH and the two entities have a longstanding relationship.

“This is a natural progression to a higher level of partnership and cooperation between a local Baptist association and BCH,” Shields said.

Truett Association leases the building located outside of Hayesville that houses the program and its young residents. The association provides funding for the services while BCH lends its expertise to operate the program and provides the staff. The home is a part of BCH’s Western Area Family Services which provides residential services in Franklin, Clyde and Waynesville.

Truett Association Baptist Children’s Home offers specialized residential services for up to six children. The home provides a structured environment for school-age children giving them an opportunity to rise above the circumstances that have brought them into care.

“In some instances, a child and their family are attempting to overcome challenges that are a threat to the family’s well-being,” Blackwell explained. “We have an opportunity to bring the child into residential care while working with the entire family to overcome their obstacles.

“Other times, children come to us from the most difficult of situations,” he continued. “We see boys and girls who have been neglected, abandoned, and sometimes hurt by the adults they trusted the most. I am grateful that Truett Baptist Association Children’s Homes is prepared to meet these needs by offering children and families help and hope.”

The home will be accepting children this month. Referrals to the home can be made from agencies such as the Department of Social Services, but can also be made by families or anyone who knows of someone needing help.

Since 1885, Baptist Children’s Homes of North Carolina has helped children and families in crisis. BCH began with one campus, Mills Home in Thomasville, but now provides services in 16 communities across the state.

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