Life is a journey…. Historical reflections · Life is a journey…. The journey we are embarking...

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Transcript of Life is a journey…. Historical reflections · Life is a journey…. The journey we are embarking...

Page 1: Life is a journey…. Historical reflections · Life is a journey…. The journey we are embarking on at the Smoky Mountain Children’s Home involves hundreds of children, youth
Page 2: Life is a journey…. Historical reflections · Life is a journey…. The journey we are embarking on at the Smoky Mountain Children’s Home involves hundreds of children, youth

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Life is a journey….

The journey we are embarking on at the Smoky Mountain Children’s Home involves hundreds of children, youth and caregivers. Children and youth are encouraged to develop their fullest potential in every area of their lives. Through positive experiences, our goal is to literally change an entire generation. Think with us about that possibility!

Changing lives is central to our mission. That is why we do what we do. Capable staff endeavor to provide positive role models in order to impact these children on a daily basis. We accomplish this by providing a home away from home, for those who have often faced negative issues in their own families. In addition, we strive to cultivate caring foster homes. As a family, we work together to ensure these children and youth are prepared to face real life challenges in an ever-changing, complex world.

We are always looking for partners to assist us in the challenge of providing food, shelter, clothing and twenty-four hour services for the children God has placed in our care.

Will you join us on our journey?

Dr. Walt Mauldin Executive Director

Tammie Mauldin Public Relations & Communications Director

Historical reflections of the journey….

Smoky Mountain Children’s Home began on December 17, 1920 in Cleveland, Tennessee. Initially it was called the Church of God Orphanage with humble beginnings of four children supervised by Lillian Kinsey from Pell City, Alabama. In 1949, the home was relocated to its present sixty-acre site in Sevierville, Tennessee which had been the former campus of the Bible Training School. BTS, as it was referred to, is now Lee University.

Over the years, an estimated 30,000 plus have come to call this place HOME! Each year alumni gather back in Sevierville to reconnect with their brothers and sisters and talk about yesteryears. One thing has remained constant…this is a place where people find hope for their future in Christ.

The year 2020 marks our 100th anniversary. According to Psalm 90:17, God has certainly blessed the work of our hands throughout this century of ministry.

CENTENNIALINTRODUCTION

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Journeys often begin on our campus….

For some young people, their time with us starts on the Smoky Mountain Children’s Home campus. It may be only for a few weeks or several months. Each of them live in one of our cottages with seven other youth supervised by competent caregivers. Cottages are provided for both male and female residents.

We util ize several models for behavior modification and have developed a system uniquely craf ted for our residential needs. It is a model that borrows heavily from t h e w i s d o m o f t h e past and is based on proven best practices. Ten points

outline the behavior modification program: therapeutic conflict processing, personal value informed decision-making, service learning, a point system, token economy, intervention program, cottage meetings (i.e. family sessions), progress review panels, positive incident reports linked to a grounded system of discipline, as well as personal healing and discipleship.

Youth on our campus experience faith, care, learning, work and fun in a safe environment.

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Fundraising is a journey….

For a number of years, the Women’s Ministries of the Church of God has been instrumental in raising literally hundreds of thousands of dollars for SMCH. Without their generosity, we would not be able to adequately provide for the needs of so many.

One of the ways Women’s Ministries continues to positively affect our community is through state sponsorship of the cottages or ministries at SMCH:

WOMEN’S MINISTRIES

Cottage 1 - Texas

Cottage 2 - Ohio

Cottage 3 - Tennessee

Cottage 4 - Missouri

Cottage 5 - Illinois/Great Lakes

Cottage 6 - Alabama

Cottage 7 - South Georgia

Cottage 8 - Delmarva DC

Cottage 9 - Indiana

Cottage 10 - Virginia (Independent Living)

Cottage 11 - Kentucky

Magnolia Auditorium - Mississippi

Their giving provides furniture, appliances, cookware, bedding and assists with needs that may arise unexpectedly. Often they take care of remodeling the residence, as well.

In addition, Women’s Ministries partners with SMCH through general fundraising endeavors within each state. Primarily this is achieved through specific women’s conferences, special love offerings and local church participation in various fund-raising projects.

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The journey of foster care...

Some of our greatest community assets are our Christian families. It is within this kind of environment that wounded children can truly be healed from the traumas they have faced. Today we need families who will love and care for these children and bring stability to their lives with the ultimate goal for each of them to play meaningful roles in society.

A journey in foster care may include becoming a foster parent, an adoptive family or a respite family. Through specialized classes, we provide free training in order to develop qualified, caring individuals to meet the needs of hurting children.

Help us impact a generation of children and young people!

Adopt a child today...change a life forever!

Through the Smoky Mountain Children’s Home adoption agency, families are encouraged to work with a foster care case manager to identify and select a child whose personality corresponds with their family’s structure and dynamics. Families can provide a child a place of belonging by making them a permanent member of their family. Once identified, SMCH provides support to make sure the family and child adjust. Also, families receive financial support until the child’s 18th birthday through the State Adoption Subsidy Program for Special Needs Children.

FOSTER CARE ADOPTION

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Funding for our journey....

There are many ways to assist the children, youth and staff in our care. Would you consider blessing us today?

The FAST and EASY way to give online:

Go to our website:

www.smch.org

Click DONATE in the main menu!

ADDITIONAL WAYS TO HELPVolunteer Work Group - Groups, churches or

organizations are invited to schedule a time to complete a needed project on our campus.

Campus Tours - Come visit us and tour this historical site.

Activities - Provide an activity, meal or event for our residents.

Needed Items for the Campus - Donate from a list of needed items included on our website.

career opportunities

Journey with us through career opportunities….

Are you passionate about shaping the future of children who have lost their own parent(s) as a result of abuse, abandonment, neglect or even death? As one of our staff members, you will have the unique privilege to join a team who desires to create a family environment for at-risk children and youth.

HOW DO I APPLY?Please visit our website.

Click the careers tab.Complete the application.

Click the send button!

donate

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449 McCarn Circle

PO Box 4391

Sevierville, TN 37864-4391

Office 865.453.4644 • Fax 865.453.8812

www.smch.org

Licensed by the Tennessee Department of Children’s Services

Accredited by the Council on Accreditation, COA45 BroadwayNew York, NY 10006

Member of the Tennessee Alliance for Children and Families

A Church of God Institution, Cleveland, TN