37637 SC Annual Report Flipbook REV

Board of Directors

Mr. Chris Lamb-Vice Chair

Mr. Andrew Comans-Treasurer

Mrs. Tori Heard-Secretary

Mrs. Jennifer Scott-Immediate Past Chair

Mrs. Ruth Powell Hobbs-Emerita

On behalf of the children, youth and families served by Southern Christian Services, thank you for your generous support in 2022. Because of you, we were able to demonstrate the unconditional love of Christ to hundreds of Mississippians. The following report summarizes our on-going efforts to have a positive, recognizable, and long-term impact on all children in our care. We believe every child is precious and should be provided professional, compassionate, and cost-effective services so they may become mentally, physically and spiritually healthy.

Rev. Dr. Mark Benson

Mrs. Karen Carlisle

Mrs. Betty Carraway

Mr. Ralph Clark

Dr. Juanita Sims Doty

Mr. Drew Fountain

Mrs. Stacey Gaines

Dr. Beverly Wade Hogan

Ms. Kimberla Little

Mrs. Lorie McLeod

Mrs. Laura McMahon

Mr. Tommie McMillin

Dr. Amanda Nicols

Mr. George C. Nicols

Ms. Mia Pollman

Mrs. Ann Seale

Mr. Steve Simmons

Mr. Carey Wiegand

For 34 years our mission has been clear. It is in response to the love of Christ that Southern Christian Services for Children and Youth, Inc. serves and equips vulnerable children and youth, assisting them in the process of becoming self-sufficient and contributing members of society. As we begin our 35th year of operations, we see a great need for therapeutic and community- based services for youth who are vulnerable to exploitation and abuse. We are focused on creating solutions for youth homelessness and providing services to underserved and uninsured youth throughout Mississippi. Children and youth are burdened with complex trauma, homelessness, addiction, and injustices like never before. We believe it is our duty to strengthen the fainthearted; help the afflicted; and care for the abandoned. We believe that it is our responsibility to advocate and affect change within the human services spectrum as it relates to children and youth we serve. We believe no child or youth is defined by their painful past and above all else, we believe there is always hope.

We are thankful to our dedicated Board of Directors and compassionate staff for all that has been accomplished this year. We sincerely appreciate the generosity of our donors, community partners, and volunteers. Together with God’s help, we are building brighter futures for all God’s children.

With grateful hearts,

Jamie C. Himes, LPC

Scott Rives President and CEO Chairman of the Board

Mr. Scott Rives-Chair

Core

Mary Church Terrell Literacy Club, Matt Wyatt Media, LLC.

Mr. and Mrs. Harold Oriol

Mr. Ronald Russell, CPA

Mrs. Candace Spearman United Way of Metropolitan Nashville Jonathon and Madison Walker Mr. and Mrs. Carey Wiegand

Homeless youth served were able to achieve individual housing and/or permanent placement in a safe and stable environment.

Homeless youth receiving services were able to identify, find, and maintain stable employment within the community.

Success rate for keeping adopted families together through our post adoption services. SCSCY prevents kids from re-entering the foster care system!

Child abuse victims were comforted through counseling and supportive services

Children served through our Therapeutic Foster Care Program

OUR SERVICES

Each year, hundreds of lives are touched through the services and programs of Southern Christian Services for Children and Youth, Inc. We provide Therapeutic Residential Care, Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention Services and Permanency Services. Our goal is to stand in the gap between need and wholeness, striving to help children and youth overcome the barriers created by poverty, neglect and abuse.

RESIDENTIAL CARE

Therapeutic Group Homes

Therapeutic group homes provide family style living for children and youth who are unable to remain in their homes because of abuse, neglect, serious behavioral, and/ or emotional challenges. Our home located in Grenada dedicated to caring for older youth that have either struggled to stay in a foster family or are at-risk of aging out of the foster system without a family. We make these homes as close to a family setting as possible and work with each young man, so he learns to trust and thrive in a family. The goal of our Therapeutic Group Home is to help the boys prepare for either a future foster family, reunification with biological family, or transitional independence.

PALS Transitional and Homeless Youth Program

The P.A.L.S. (Preparing Adolescents to Live Successfully) is a community-based transitional living and youth homelessness prevention program located in Jackson for youth 18-23 years old certified by Mississippi Department of Mental Health and accredited by Council on Accreditation. The P.A.L.S. Transitional Living Program is a long-term program designed to address the causes of homelessness at their root and set them up for long-term success. P.A.L.S. facilitates healing and promotes the vocational and emotional well-being of youth who have experienced homelessness, abuse, neglect, and exposure to trauma or violence. While living at P.A.L.S., you receive case management, educational support, employment assistance and evidenced-based counseling services. All P.A.L.S. residents are either employed full-time or employed part-time while attending school.

Therapeutic Foster Care

Licensed Therapeutic Foster Care homes provides a temporary family for children and youth who are unable to remain in their own homes because of abuse, neglect, serious behavioral and/or emotional challenges. Therapeutic Foster Care is dedicated to recruiting, training, and matching foster children and sibling groups with families so that the children find permanency as soon as possible. Permanency may be that children reunite with biological families when the families are healthy enough to do so or move towards adoption.

Adoption from Foster Care

Families who can make a permanent commitment to children and youth with special needs are trained and equipped to provide homes through adoption. No child should grow up in the foster care system. Children need to grow in safe and nurturing families.

Post Adoption and Respite

The purpose of this service is to support families who have adopted through Mississippi’s foster care system and prevent children from re-entering foster care. We provide information, referrals, crisis management, adoptive/foster parent and youth trainings, family and teen support groups and respite care services. Trained respite families offer foster and adoptive parents the opportunity for a break in times of crisis.

Counseling Services

Children and youth from 3-23 years old and their families receive evidence-based therapies designed to promote well-being and self-sufficiency. Parents and caregivers can also receive counseling to work on family stability.

Parent Strong (Training and Support Groups)

The goal of our Parent Strong Prevention Program is to decrease the number of children entering foster care. This is accomplished by educating and empowering at-risk families to create safe, stable, nurturing environments that protect children from violence and maltreatment. Parent Strong Prevention Program uses the ACT/Raising Safe Kids model which is supported by the American Psychological Association and focuses on teaching parents about children’s need for protection, child development and parenting skills. Parent Strong offers online and inperson parenting education classes for parents in the general community, parents who are court mandated, teen parents, and expected parents.

Crime Victim Assistance

Children from all areas of the state who are victims of crime are eligible to receive counseling and supportive services through the therapeutic foster care programs in Jackson, Gulfport, and Tupelo. In Forest and the Metro-Jackson area, children 3-23 years old who are victims of crime, as well as their parents/caregivers who are victims of crime, receive supportive services including evidence-based therapy, regardless of ability to pay.

The Bowen Family SPOTLIGHT STORIES

Krista and I had very different encounters that God used to nudge us toward fostering children. But, regardless of how we got there, we both had to get involved. Our friends were licensed through Southern Christian Services for Children and Youth (SCSCY), and we decided to follow their steps. It wasn’t until later that I realized how grateful I was to have a partner like SCSCY on this journey.

See the Video!

We completed our certification and quickly received a baby boy and his 17-year-old sister as our first placement. There are so many stigmas attached to teenage foster children that we debated back and forth with each other before agreeing to take her. For us, the change of heart occurred when we were told she would most likely end up in a group home if we could not bring her into our home. We couldn’t imagine this girl, who had endured so much, would be put in a group home because of our no. So, we agreed, and on a dark evening in Byram, MS, we met them for the first time.

Our family of 5 had grown to a family of 7, and our little home suddenly felt very small. Every room had two children, and we had a baby in our bedroom. It took a while for her to build trust with us that she would allow us to care for him without her presence. Krista is the real hero in that process as she patiently worked and built that trust. The interactions with CPS were eye-opening and tough but having social workers from SCSCY gave us an ally as we walked through this process to help us understand what was happening and what we needed to do. As medical and counseling services were needed, SCSCY helped us get things set up with doctors and counselors. When there was a situation that required in-patient behavioral health, the team from SCSCY was there to sit with us in the ER and walk us through the process. It wasn’t easy, but it was oh so helpful to have an ally.

Our foster daughter was able to get a job, her GED, and some life skills classes while she was with us. We walked through some traumatic experiences with her and helped her work with local authorities as needed. She was with us only about a year before she was reunited with her biological father, but it formed a relationship that continues to this day. She now has a family of her own and lives out of state, but she calls when she has life questions and texts us on special occasions. She is our adult daughter now, and we love her.

We continued to foster the baby boy and watched him grow as one of our children. We saw him take his first step, say his first word, and go to kindergarten. All that time, our hearts had shifted from a mindset of fostering him to a position of adoption, even though things moved slowly through the courts and questions about his status were present almost every day. Our social worker from SCSCY was so helpful in consistently calming us, advising us each step of the way, and loving us all. Finally, when his status was changed, and we were asked if we wanted to adopt that little boy, God answered our prayer.

It was a great day when after four years of fostering and over two years of waiting to adopt, we finally got to see it happen. SCSCY was there in the courtroom and became part of the family through the process. We can’t thank SCSCY enough for the work all their team did to care for us, for the children, and for working to advocate for us. Agreeing to foster a newborn and 17-year-old was one of the hardest things we’ve ever done and stretched us to a place we didn’t always want to be, but God called us to it, gave us two more great kids in our family, and provided a friend in SCSCY to walk this journey with us.

Austin’s Story

Austin learned about the PALS Transitional Program while living in our Joe Rowland Home for Boys. Unfortunately, like most foster care experiences, Austin moved away from the Joe Rowland home and into another placement, but he always kept contact with Southern Christian staff. Austin knew he would eventually age out of the foster care system and was scared to experience homelessness. He was determined to establish a healthy support system and wanted desperately to come to PALS.

While in the PALS program, Austin worked toward completing his GED, was gainfully employed, and expressed a desire to serve in the military. Austin reconnected with supportive family, secured his own housing, maintained employment, and is studying for the ASVAB. Austin is working to achieve all his personal goals. He enjoys working out at the gym, watching movies, singing, being with his friends, and everything about motorcycles.

“I like PALS because of the hands-on assistance I received from my case worker and her supervisor. They helped me get back in school to continue my education. I feel like they really care about me and my future.”

SAVE THE DATE

Mississippi Children’s Promise Tax Credit

January 2023

Beginning January 1, 2023, at 12:00 a.m. through the Children’s Promise Act, individuals and businesses can receive a Mississippi tax credit for donations made to Southern Christian Services for Children and Youth, Inc. To learn more, visit our website www.scscy.org.

Homeless youth served were able to achieve individual housing and/or permanent placement in a safe and stable environment. Homeless youth receiving services were able to identify, find, and maintain stable employment within the community.

35th Annual Bottom Line for Kids Benefit and

August 2023

October 2023

Auction

Success rate for keeping adopted families together through our post adoption services. SCSCY prevents kids from re-entering the foster care system!

100 % 109

Sonny Fountain Memorial Golf Tournament

Southern Christian Services for Children and Youth, Inc. cordially invites you to become a 2023 sponsor at our Bottom Line for Kids benefit and auction. This year’s Bottom Line for Kids Benefit, and auction consists of live and premier auction items, featured artist, and highlights of our new videos. For more information about our event, visit our website www.scscy.org.

Child abuse victims were comforted through counseling and supportive services

Southern Christian Services for Children and Youth, Inc., Associated General Contractors of Mississippi, and Fountain Construction Company, Inc. are pleased to announce the 16th Annual Sonny Fountain Memorial Golf Tournament. Sonny Fountain Memorial Golf tournament for Kids is named in honor of beloved Jackson businessman and philanthropist, D.G. “Sonny” Fountain, owner of Fountain Construction Company.

78 % 78 % 44

Children served through our Therapeutic Foster Care Program

Client

“I have learned how every child is different and how to be more effective with my children. I can be a better parent by using a different approach and connection with all my children.”

-Parent Strong Prevention Client

“The greatest part in fostering has been to see the healing and growth in the kids that we have loved unconditionally since day one of the Lord placing them onto our hearts.”

-Rowland Family, Foster to Adopt Family

“Being in the PALS program has helped me become more independent. I was able to find a place to live and receive counseling for my mental health. Transitioning into my own place has been a freeing experience that I would not have been able to accomplish without the PALS program.”

-Merlyna, PALS Program

“The battles you will face as a foster parent are far less than the battles these children have faced to be in the system.” -The Crenshaw Family, Foster Care Family

“When I get overwhelmed, respite helps to have the time to regroup and come back refreshed to move forward.” -APD

Board of Directors

OUR AMAZING DONORS

ANGELS

Mr. Scott Rives-Chair

Mr. Chris Lamb-Vice Chair

Edwin E. and Ruby C. Morgan Foundation, Inc. Ergon Foundation, Inc.

Mr. Andrew Comans-Treasurer

Fountain Family Foundation

His Way, Inc.

Mrs. Tori Heard-Secretary

Ms. Carol R. Kirkland

Mrs. Jennifer Scott-Immediate Past Chair

Mrs. Ruth Powell Hobbs-Emerita

Larry and Michael Johnson Family Foundation Malaco, Inc.

Rev. Dr. Mark Benson

Drs. Lee and Amanda M. Nicols Puckett Machinery Trustmark National Bank-Jackson

Mrs. Karen Carlisle

Mr. and Mrs. Buster Wellington

Mrs. Betty Carraway

SAINTS

Mr. Ralph Clark

Dr. Juanita Sims Doty

Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption Regions Foundation

Mr. Drew Fountain

GUARDIANS

Mrs. Stacey Gaines

Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Mississippi Lennox International

Dr. Beverly Wade Hogan

Mr. and Mrs. James L. Young

Ms. Kimberla Little

PROTECTORS

Mrs. Lorie McLeod

Mrs. Laura McMahon

Mr. Tommie McMillin

Dr. Amanda Nicols

Mrs. W.H. Holman

Mr. and Mrs. Larry Homan Independent Roofing Systems, Inc.

Mr. and Mrs. Larry Johnson Junior League of Jackson MEA Medical Clinics

Mr. and Mrs. Lee Paris

Puckett Rents

On behalf of the children, youth and families served by Southern Christian Services, thank you for your generous support in 2022. Because of you, we were able to demonstrate the unconditional love of Christ to hundreds of Mississippians. The following report summarizes our on-going efforts to have a positive, recognizable, and long-term impact on all children in our care. We believe every child is precious and should be provided professional, compassionate, and cost-effective services so they may become mentally, physically and spiritually healthy.

Mr. W. Thomas Siler

Simmons Consulting Firm

Mr. and Mrs. Eddie Spencer

Steel Service Corporation

Mr. and Mrs. Fred Nabors Property Tax Associates, Inc.

Mr. and Mrs. Scott Rives

Mr. and Mrs. Dave Scott Mr. and Mrs. William Ward Wing Management, LLC. Mr. and Mrs. Johnny Wray

FRIENDS

Stevens Mechanical Systems, Inc.

Mr. Stephen Stewart

Mr. Jameson Taylor

Mr. and Mrs. Todd Tauzin

Techsource Solutions, Inc.

The Wesley A. Cardwell Foundation

Thrash Commercial Contractors, Inc.

Travelers Bond

For 34 years our mission has been clear. It is in response to the love of Christ that Southern Christian Services for Children and Youth, Inc. serves and equips vulnerable children and youth, assisting them in the process of becoming self-sufficient and contributing members of society. As we begin our 35th year of operations, we see a great need for therapeutic and community- based services for youth who are vulnerable to exploitation and abuse. We are focused on creating solutions for youth homelessness and providing services to underserved and uninsured youth throughout Mississippi. Children and youth are burdened with complex trauma, homelessness, addiction, and injustices like never before. We believe it is our duty to strengthen the fainthearted; help the afflicted; and care for the abandoned. We believe that it is our responsibility to advocate and affect change within the human services spectrum as it relates to children and youth we serve. We believe no child or youth is defined by their painful past and above all else, we believe there is always hope.

Tri-State Lumber Company

Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Annison Capitol Hardware Company, Inc.

Mr. and Mrs. Dennis Carraway Central Surgical Associates

With grateful hearts, Jamie C. Himes, LPC

Associated General Contractors of Mississippi, Inc.

Mrs. Karen Carlisle

Mr. George C. Nicols

Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Comans

Ms. Mia Pollman

First Christian Church-Tupelo

Mrs. Ann Seale

Mr. Steve Simmons

Flowood Baptist Church Fountain Construction Co. Inc. GranthamPoole, PLLC.

Mr. Carey Wiegand

National Benevolent Association SB Holding Company, Inc.

Mr. and Mrs. William D. Young Esq

MENTORS

Atmos Energy

Mr. Thomas Couch

First Christian Church Meridian

We are thankful to our dedicated Board of Directors and compassionate staff for all that has been accomplished this year. We sincerely appreciate the generosity of our donors, community partners, and volunteers. Together with God’s help, we are building brighter futures for all God’s children.

Mr. and Mrs. Joel Cheslek Community Bank of Mississippi

Mr. and Mrs. Wade Creekmore Disciples Women’s Fellowship-FCC Meridian Egon Refining, Inc.

Mr. Douglas Varney

Walter’s Construction Company, Inc. Bertie Mae Young Mr. James W. Young

SUPPORTERS

Dr. And Mrs. Peter Arnold

Mr. Freddy Bagley

Mr. and Mrs. Bo Bowen

Scott Rives President and CEO

Christian Church Foundation (Disciples of Christ)

Mr. and Mrs. James Fountain

Mr. and Mrs. Mark Goldman Mr. and Mrs. Charles Gualano

Hinds Community College Foundation Joe McGee Construction Co.

Koinonia Baptist Church L and B Pro Shop, LLC.

Mr. and Mrs. Jason Lineberry Mr. and Mrs. Paul Martin May & Company, LLP.

Mr. and Mrs. Michael McKeating Dr. and Mrs. Carroll McLeod Mrs. Kaye Miller

Mockbee Hall & Drake, PA

Mrs. Gina Nelson Nicholas Acoustics & Specialty Co. Mr. and Mrs. George C. Nicols

Mr. Bryan Carraway

Chairman of the Board

Mr. W. Everett Carraway

Mr. and Mrs. Chris Cherney

Citizens National Bank

Mr. William Clement CraftCroswell, Inc.

Mr. Johnny Crane

Mr. and Mrs. Barry Dixon

Mr. and Mrs. Bob England Fidelity Brokerage

Mr. Charles Haynes

Mr. T.H. Kendall Kiwanis Club of America

Mrs. Janie Maloney

Mr. William Matherly

Mr. and Mrs. Clint Meacham Mechanics Bank

MS Power Community Connection-Coast Chapter

Rev. and Mrs. Jeffrey Murphy

Parkway Baptist Church

Quickcare Pharmacy

Our Mission

Revell Hardware Company, Inc.

JW and Eva Russell

Stevens Mechanical Systems, Inc.

Mr. Michael Strong

Mrs. Jennifer Taylor

Thomastown Christian Church

Mrs. Sue Lobrano

Mr. Tommy Lyle

Mary Church Terrell Literacy Club, Inc.

Matt Wyatt Media, LLC.

Mr. Bruce Mitchell

Mr. and Mrs. Harold Oriol

In response to the love of Christ, Southern Christian Services for Children and Youth, Inc. serves and equips vulnerable children and youth, assisting them in the process of becoming self-sufficient contributing members of society.

Utica Christian Church

Utica Christian Church-New Seekers

Mrs. Gwen Owen

Mr. George Ritter

Mr. Ronald Russell, CPA

Mr. David Russell

September Moore

Mrs. Anita Shorter

Mr. David Smith

Our Vision

Mr. Christopher Walker

Mrs. Gloria Walker

Mr. Calvin Watson

Mrs. Lillian Weeks

Mrs. Ruth Williams

Mr. Brad Woodall

Mr. James Snider Jr.

Mrs. Candace Spearman

Southern Christian Services for Children and Youth, Inc. envisions a community where all Mississippi youth have a safe place to call home and the opportunity to thrive.

Mr. Andrew Sweat

Mr. Marlon Thomas

United Way of Metropolitan Nashville Jonathon and Madison Walker W.E. Walker

CONTRUBUTORS

Core Values

Mrs. Jeannie Boyett

Mrs. Derwood Boyles

Mr. Brenton Brasher

Mrs. Cynthia Brewer

Mrs. Nancy Brewer

Mr. Michael Wallace

Mr. and Mrs. Carey Wiegand

The following core values inspire our staff and partners and drive everything we do-including, our approach to the work, the decisions we make, and the way we collaborate:

Mr. Thomas Wiley

Mr. Robert Williams

Wise Carter

Mr. Robert Burke

Mr. George Butler

Mr. C. York Craig Jr.

• Compassion • Commitment

Mrs. Peggy Cannada

Mrs. Natie Caraway

Mr. Darin Carter

• Bold Leadership • Continuous Training • Optimism

Mrs. Karen Clement

Mr. Dan Currie

• Responsiveness

Mrs. Amy Davenport

Dr. Juanita Sims Doty

Family Health Clinic Grenada

Mr. Mark Hodges

Mrs. Delores Hopkins

JMD Golf LLC.

Mr. Otis Johnson

MISSION / VISION / CORE VALUES

Mission: In response to the love of Christ, Southern Christian Services for Children and Youth, Inc. serves and equips vulnerable children and youth, assisting them in the process of becoming self-sufficient contributing members of society.

Licensed, Certified: Southern Christian Services for Children and Youth, Inc. provides children and family services throughout the state of Mississippi. Licensed by the Mississippi Department of Child Protection Services, certified by the Mississippi Department of Mental Health, and accredited by the Council of Accreditation (COA). Southern Christian is a member of the Mississippi Association of Child Caring Agencies and is an affiliate of the National Benevolent Association of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) as well as a member of Disciples Care Network.

4735 Old Canton Road, Suite 111 • Phone: 601-354-0983 • Fax: 601-352-8638

Email: info@southernchristianservices.org • www.scscy.org