Southern Christian Annual Report 2020-2021

ANNUAL REPORT 2020-2021

Board of Directors Mrs. Jennifer Scott-Chair Mr. Scott Rives-Vice Chair Mr. Andrew Comans-Treasurer Mr. Tommy McMillin-Secretary Dr. Lee Nicols-Immediate Past Chair Mrs. Ruth Powell Hobbs-Emerita Mrs. Ann Seale Mrs. Betty Carraway Dr. Beverly Wade Hogan Mr. Carey Wiegand Mr. Chris Lamb Mr. Clay Lewis

On behalf of the children and youth impacted by Southern Christian, thank you for your generous support in 2021. Because of you, we were able to demonstrate the unconditional love of Christ to hundreds of Mississippi’s most vulnerable children and youth. With your help, we provided clothing for job interviews; safe apartments and food so youth could focus on healing; bus passes and transportation so youth could be independent; weighted blankets, quilts, and stuffed animals so children felt comforted; and countless other items we often take for granted. All these donations made the difference between our children feeling invisible and feeling valued.

We are grateful for our dedicated Board of Directors and compassionate staff. This year was challenging at times. We experienced COVID-19 related funding cuts, program changes, and staffing challenges, but we also experienced great joy. We witnessed children heal. We watched them grow and we heard them laugh. We celebrated birthdays, family reunifications, adoptions, and baptisms. We watched youth graduate from high school, enter college, and pull themselves out of homelessness. This year, we saw God’s promise to prosper our children and give them hope for a future fulfilled.

We encourage you to take the time to carefully review this report, follow the QR codes, watch the videos, and read the stories. We are confident you will be inspired by the strength and perseverance of our youth and proud of your contribution to their success. Together, with God’s help we are building brighter futures for all Mississippi’s children.

With Grateful Hearts,

Mr. Drew Fountain Mrs. Eloise Portera Mr. Fred Nabors Mr. George Nicols Rev. Jeff Murphy Rev. Johnny Wray Rev. Josh Messick Dr. Juanita Sims Doty Mrs. Karen Carlisle Ms. Kimberla Little Mr. Lee Bush Mrs. Lorie McLeod Rev. Dr. Mark Benson Mr. Ralph Clark Mrs. Stacey Gaines Mr. Steve Simmons Mrs. Tori Heard

Jamie C. Himes, LPC President and CEO

Jennifer H. Scott Chair, Board of Directors

Our 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.

Our Vision 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.

MISSION / VISION

78 %

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.

29

SCSCY children stayed in their original placement until they were either adopted or successfully reunified with biological family.

SCSCY prevents kids from moving through the foster care system.

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

86

78 %

100 %

Children and youth were served in our residential foster care programs

103

Child abuses victims were comforted through free counseling and supportive services

Foster children were adopted by loving and caring families

16

Children served through Wendy’s Wonderful Kids program

At-risk parents received parenting classes and support through Parent Strong

469

6 238

Children were served through respite care

14

OUR IMPACT

Young adults between 18-23 who were at risk of becoming homeless received PALS services

Each year, hundreds of lives are impacted 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.

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 homes located in Grenada and Fulton are 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 Homes 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 and prepare youth 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.

OUR SERVICES: RESIDENTIAL CARE

While living at P.A.L.S., youth receive case management, educational support, employment assistance and evidencedbased 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 provide temporary families 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.

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.

OUR SERVICES: PERMANENCY SERVICES

Adoption from Foster Care

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.

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 in-person 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.

OUR SERVICES: PREVENTION AND OUTPATIENT COUNSELING

Parent Strong (Training and Support Groups)

FINANCIALS 2020-2021 Preliminary Statement of Activities October 1, 2020 – September 30, 2021

REVENUES Government Agencies

$3,153,099.01

Public Support

$862,749.33

Other Income

$57,026.25

Total Operating Revenues

$4,072,874.59

EXPENSES Programs

$3,419,785.43

Administration

$132,799.80

Development

$206,956.00

Total Expenditures

$3,759,541.23

REVENUE

77 %

21 %

2%

Government Agencies

Public Support Contributions Private Grants

Other Income

Programs

3.5 5.5 % % Administration

Development

FINANCIALS

91 %

SPOTLIGHT STORIES The Havens Family

“People always tell us; they are so blessed to have you. What they don’t realize is, we are the blessed ones to have them in our lives.”

See the Video!

At Southern Christian Services for Children and Youth, we work tirelessly to support the most vulnerable of God’s children. Our work shows that fostering and adoption promote positive outcomes for our children and youth. The Havens family is one example of faith, perseverance, love, and hope.

Shelia and Jimmy Havens were licensed as therapeutic foster parents for quite a while before adopting 3 children with autism. Rose came to Southern Christian when she was 13-year-old. She was the caretaker and provider for her younger siblings. She had never been to school and lacked the social skills most teenagers possess. Rose’s younger siblings, Sophie (age 11) and Malachy (age 8) had severe autism. They had not been potty trained and were non-verbal. Neither child had been provided services or attended school.

Shelia and Jimmy Havens provided a structured home to help promote healing and growth for each child.

They worked to uncover and promote each child’s individual gifts. There were always instruments, art supplies, educational toys, books, and computers available to support each child’s strengths. Jimmy and Sheila were cheerleaders and huge advocates for all three of the children.

Fast forward to today. Rose is now 18 years old. She graduated with a 4.2 GPA from Stone County High School with both technical and distinguished diplomas. Rose recently scored a 32 on her ACT with a 36 on her reading sub score. She is now attending William Carey University. Sophie and Malachy have flourished in the Havens care. Both have made great developmental advancements and are now honor roll students in regular classes.

Makyla’s Story “You aren’t what you were born into. You can be whomever you want to be. Just tap into your light. Even if no one else sees that light, it doesn’t mean you can’t shine,” says Makyla.

See the Video!

Makyla came to PALS Transitional Living Program after her former social worker told her about the program.

Since leaving foster care, she had very limited support and had mostly been on her own. Before Covid, she had been working, attending a community college, and living in the dorms. But when Covid shut down her campus and her classes went virtual, Makyla found herself without a job and without a safe place to live.

Makyla enjoys going to the park, watching movies, reading comic books, and writing. She especially loves helping young children. Makyla says, “I want to give a helping hand and a safe place for youth like myself. You shouldn’t feel guilty because of the circumstances you were born into.”

Since being in PALS, Makyla has been able to maintain her studies, work in the community, and save money. She’s achieved many personal goals and will graduate with her associates degree in December 2021. She’s worked hard to save enough money to buy her first car and plans to transfer to a 4-year university to pursue a degree in nursing.

SAVE THE DATE 34th Annual Bottom Line for Kids Benefit and Online Auction September 2022 Southern Christian Services for Children and Youth, Inc. cordially invites you to become a 2022 sponsor at our Bottom Line for Kids Benefit. This year’s Bottom Line for Kids Benefit, and online auction consists of premier auction items, featured artist, and launching of our new video. For more information about the event, check out our website www.scscy.org.

Sonny Fountain Memorial Golf Tournament October 2022 Southern Christian Services for Children and Youth, Inc., Associated General Contractors of Mississippi, and Fountain Construction Company, Inc. are pleased to announce the 15th 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. For more information about the event, check out our website www.scscy.org.

Mississippi Children’s Promise Tax Credit

Scan for more information!

OUR AMAZING DONORS ANGELS Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption Edwin E. and Ruby C. Morgan Foundation, Inc. Ergon Foundation, Inc. The Fountain Family Foundation His Way, Inc. Ms. Carol R. Kirkland Drs. Lee and Amanda M. Nicols Mr. and Mrs. Don Noblitt, Jr. St. Dominic- Jackson Memorial Hospital Trustmark Mr. and Mrs. Buster Wellington SAINTS Larry and Michael Johnson Family Foundation Regions Foundation GUARDIANS Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Mississippi PROTECTORS Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Annison Associated General Contractors of Mississippi Atmos Energy Corporation Ballew Wealth Management Christian Church Foundation First Christian Church Meridian Fountain Construction Company, Inc. Mr. and Mrs. Thomas G. Hixon MEA Medical Clinics Turk Foundation Mr. and Mrs. James L. Young Mr. and Mrs. William D. Young, Esq. MENTORS Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Comans GranthamPoole, PLLC Mr. and Mrs. Bryant Himes Mrs. W. H. Holman Lennox International, Inc. May & Company, Inc.

Dr. and Mrs. Carroll McLeod Mr. and Mrs. Fred Nabors Mr. and Mrs. Alfred Nicols Property Tax Associates, Inc. Mr. and Mrs. Scott Rives Mr. and Mrs. Dave Scott Dr. and Mrs. Ben Seale Wound Management Specialist, LLC FRIENDS Mr. and Mrs. Dennis Carraway Mr. and Mrs. Joel Cheslek CraftCroswell, Inc. Mrs. Victoria Heard Earp Ergon Refining, Inc. Mr. and Mrs. Mark Goldman Hinds Community College Foundation Mrs. Ruth P. Hobbs Independent Roofing Systems, Inc. Joe McGee Construction Company, Inc. Koinonia Baptist Church L & B Pro Shops, LLC MMC Materials, Inc. M & S Roofing Company, Inc. McGriff Mr. and Mrs. Larry Montpelier Mr. and Mrs. Greg McNeely Nicholas Acoustics & Specialty Company The Sam E. and Burnice C. Wittel Foundation Mr. and Mrs. Stephen W. Simmons Southern Farm Bureau Life Insurance Company Mr. and Mrs. Eddie Spencer Steel Service Corporation Mr. and Mrs. Todd C. Tauzin Dr. and Mrs. Jameson Taylor Thrash Commercial Contractors, Inc. Travelers Bond Tri-State Lumber Company Mr. and Mrs. Luke Walker Walters Construction Company, Inc. Mr. and Mrs. Vernon Wolfe

Rev. and Mrs. Johnny Wray-High Hope Farm Ms. Bertie Mae Young SUPPORTERS Mr. and Mrs. Larry and Eva Adams Ms. Mary R. Anderson Dr. and Mrs. Peter B. Arnold Mr. and Mrs. Freddie Bagley Biggs, Pettis, Ingram & Solop, PLLC Mrs. Mary Helen Bowen Brad and Charles Woodall Electric, Inc. Mrs. Nancy Brewer Mr. Robert O. Burke, Jr. Ms. Peggy B. Cannada W. Everett Carraway Mr. Bryan Carraway Mrs. Natie P. Caraway Mr. and Mrs. Christopher Cherney Chris Haynes Electric Supply, Inc. Citizens National Bank Mr. C. York Craig, Jr. Mr. and Mrs. Johnny L. Crane Mr. and Mrs. Wade H. Creekmore, Jr. Counseling and Crisis Intervention Services, LLC Mr. Nathan Cummins Mr. Dan Davis Mr. and Mrs. Barry Dixon Dr. Juanita Doty Dr. Norma R. Ellington-Twitty Mr. and Mrs. Bob England Dr. and Mrs. J. C. Ethridge, Jr. Mr. Kenneth Farmer Ms. Kathleen R. Fewel First Christian Church of West Point Mr. James Fountain Glenn Machine Works Mr. and Mrs. Edward J. Gonzales Gulf Relay, LLC Hayneville Christian Methodist Sunday School Mr. and Mrs. Charles Haynes Mr. Elbert R. Hilliard

Mrs. Ruth P. Hobbs Mr. and Mrs. Mark Hodges Mr. and Mrs. Philip Holman Ms. Dawn Hunter Jackson Metropolitan Retired Education Personnel Mr. and Mrs. Larry L. Johnson Mr. Ted H. Kendall, III Mr. Fredric Keys Dr. and Mrs. Harvey Leslie Mrs. Linda Livingston Ms. Jeanne B. Luckett Ms. Lara Martin Mary Church Terrell Literary Club, Inc. Mr. and Mrs. Daniel McGregor Mrs. Laura V. Meacham Merchants & Planters Bank Mr. and Mrs. Bruce Mitchell Mr. and Mrs. George E. Morgan Rev. and Mrs. Jeffrey N. Murphy Ms. Gina Myrick Network for Good Ms. Gwen M. Owen Mr. and Mrs. Sam Phillips Mr. and Mrs. Robert L. Porch, II Mr. Arnold Ricard Mr. and Mrs. Charles D. Roberts Ms. Martha J. Rogers Mr. and Mrs. Keith Simpson Dr. and Mrs. Robert Allen Smith Southern Pipe & Supply Company, Inc. State Farm Insurance Company Mr. and Mrs. Andrew D. Sweat Sweethome AME Church Taylor Auction & Realty, Inc. The Kroger Company Mr. Marlon Thomas Utica Christian Church - New Seekers Utica Christian Church-Disciples Women Mr. Leroy G. Walker, Jr. Mr. and Mrs. Michael C. Wallace Mr. Calvin R. Watson

Ms. Lillian D. Weeks Dr. Ruth M. Williams Mr. and Mrs. Wirt A. Yerger, Jr. CONTRUBUTORS Mrs. Annie H. Archie Ms Christina Bach Dr. Wisam Beauti Mr. and Mrs. Rusty M. Benson Mrs. Judy Bigham Mrs. Rosena R. Boarden Ms. Clemmie B. Brown Mr. and Mrs. David Brunt Mr. and Mrs. Darin C. Carter Ms. Pam Clark Mr. and Mrs. Frank Collins Ms. Susan Cox Mr. and Mrs. Ronald L. Crew Mr. and Mrs. Walter L. Crockett Mrs. Noreen Davidson Mr. and Mrs. Charles M. Decker Mr. and Mrs. John R. Foulkes, Sr. Ms Heather Fountain Mr. James Graves Mrs. George Gunn Ms. Ruth Anne Hayes Ms. Beth Hipps Mr. and Mrs. Mark Hodges Ms. Lynn O. Holder Dr. Delores W. Hopkins Ms. Emma Jackson Hurley J M R T A Chorale Mr. Wallace V. Jeanfreau Mrs. Gladys Johnson Ms. Lisa Johnson Ms. Albertstein Johnson-Pickett Mr. John M. Kendrick Ms. Rosa H. King Mr. Douglas E. Levanway Mr. Martin Mays Mrs. Valerie McClellan

Ms. Tommie M. Milton Ms. Enedina A. Moncure Ms. Inez R. Morris-Chambers Mr. Larry Morrison Mr. and Mrs. Derek Nash Network for Good Mr. William McDonald Nichols North Winona Baptist Church Ms Maureen Oriol Ms. Angela V. Otis Ms. Kay Paton Mrs. Gail Pickering Dr. and Mrs. Steve Pickering Ms. Lorna H. Richardson Ms. Janet Rieder Ms. Donna Robbins Mr. Charlie Ross Mr. and Mrs. John M. Runnels Mr. Charles H. Russell, III Ms. Shirley Sessions Simply Sadie Jane Ms. Alberta C. Smith Mr. Brian Sokol Mr. and Mrs. Lemuel F. Street Mr. and Mrs. Michael L. Strong Mr. and Mrs. Andrew D. Sweat Dr. Marian Y. Talley Mr. Bobby Joe Tedder Ms. Nancy Turner Mrs. Guy T. Vise, Jr. Ms. Esther S. Watkins Mr. and Mrs. Clarence G. Williams

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.

Southern Christian Services for Children and Youth, Inc. provides children and family services throughout the State of Mississippi. Licensed by the Mississippi Department of Human Services, certified by the Mississippi Department of Mental Health, and accredited by the Council of Accreditation (COA), Southern Christian is a member agency 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