39857 Southern Christian Annual Report 2023

ANNUAL REPORT 2022-2023

Board of Directors Mr. Scott Rives-Chair Mr. George C. Nicols-Vice Chair Mr. Andrew Comans-Treasurer Mrs. Tori Heard-Secretary Mrs. Jennifer Scott-Immediate Past Chair Mrs. Ruth Powell Hobbs-Emerita Rev. Dr. Mark Benson Mrs. Karen Carlisle Mrs. Betty Carraway Mr. Ralph Clark Mr. David Ellis Mr. Drew Fountain Mrs. Stacey Gaines

Dear Friends, Reflecting on 2023, we’re amazed by the accomplishments of Southern Christian Services for Children and Youth, Inc. This year we strengthened our cornerstone program, PALS by partnering with the Jackson Housing Authority and Mississippi Department of Child Protection Services to move fifteen youth into their very first apartments; and we successfully created the Sunrise Home, Mississippi’s first safe home for minor victims of human trafficking. In addition to programmatic accomplishments, we improved our direct care services by investing in employee training and staff benefits. Overall, this year was about identifying and filling service gaps for our children and youth who’ve experienced life within the foster care system and supporting our staff that serve as the hands and feet of Christ.

Our 35th year of operations was significant and brought program expansion, clinical strength, and mission-focused cohesion. Although the organizational and programmatic accomplishments of 2023 were significant, they pale in comparison to the personal gains made by those we serve.

On behalf of the children, youth and families impacted by Southern Christian Services, thank you for your generous support in 2023. Because of you, we were able to demonstrate the unconditional love of Christ to thousands of Mississippians. We are grateful for our dedicated Board of Directors and compassionate staff. We sincerely appreciate the generosity of our donors, community partners and volunteers. Together with God’s help, we are creating brighter futures for all His children.

With grateful hearts,

Mrs. Lorie McLeod Mrs. Laura McMahon Mr. Tommie McMillin Dr. Amanda Nicols Ms. Mia Pollman Mr. Steve Simmons Mr. Felix Walker Mr. Carey Wiegand

Jamie C. Himes, LPC President and CEO

Scott Rives Chairman of the Board

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.

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: • Compassion • Commitment • Bold Leadership • Continuous Training • Optimism • Responsiveness

MISSION / VISION / CORE VALUES

Core Values

80 %

Youth experiencing homelessness served were able to achieve individual housing and/or permanent placement in a safe and stable environment.

Youth experiencing homelessness receiving services were able to identify, find, and maintain stable employment within the community.

100 %

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

Child victims of crime and their family members were comforted through counseling and supportive services.

47

80 %

109

Children served through our Therapeutic Foster Care Program

17

Foster children were adopted by loving and caring families or reunited with their biological family.

Adoptive families were served through Adoption Permanency Division

565

Children were served through Respite Care

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

%

521

Of our youth experiencing homelessness referred to PALS were housed and supported towards self-sufficiency.

OUR IMPACT

100

1123

OUR SERVICES Southern Christian Services for Children and Youth, Inc. makes a profound impact on the lives of hundreds of children and youth annually. Through our wide range of services and programs, we offer Therapeutic Residential Care, Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention Services, and Permanency Services. Our mission is clear: we stand in the gap between need and wholeness, working tirelessly to assist children and youth in overcoming the profound challenges posed by poverty, neglect, and abuse. We are committed to creating brighter futures for Mississippi’s children and ensuring they have a safe place to call home and the opportunity to thrive.

RESIDENTIAL CARE Therapeutic Group Homes Our Therapeutic group homes represent a vital component of Southern Christian Services for Children and Youth, Inc.’s commitment to transforming the lives of vulnerable children and youth. These homes offer a family-style living environment to children and youth who, due to experiences of abuse, neglect, serious behavioral, and emotional challenges, are unable to remain in their own homes. Our Joe Rowland group home for boys located in Grenada is specifically dedicated to caring for older youth who have faced difficulties in staying within foster families or are at risk of aging out of the foster system without a family.

Our Sunrise group home is exclusively for adolescent girls aged 1219. Sunrise allows youth to receive specialized and evidence-based therapeutic services for up to 2 years. In these homes, we strive to create an atmosphere as close to a real family setting as possible. We work closely with each adolescent, fostering trust and providing them with the support they need to thrive within a family context. Our goal with the Therapeutic Group Home is to prepare these adolescents for a future in either a foster family, reunification with their biological family, or a successful transition to independence.

PALS Transitional and Homeless Youth Program

OUR SERVICES: RESIDENTIAL CARE

The P.A.L.S. (Preparing Adolescents to Live Successfully) program, located in Jackson, plays a pivotal role in Southern Christian Services for Children and Youth, Inc.’s mission. Certified by the Mississippi Department of Mental Health and accredited by the Council on Accreditation, P.A.L.S. is a community-based transitional living and youth experiencing homelessness prevention program catering to individuals aged 18-23. This long-term program is specifically designed to address the root causes of homelessness and provide a solid foundation for long-term success. P.A.L.S. is dedicated to facilitating the healing and enhancing the vocational and emotional well-being of youth who have experienced homelessness, abuse, neglect, or trauma.

While residing at P.A.L.S., participants receive comprehensive support, including case management, educational assistance, employment support, and evidence-based counseling services. A significant focus of the program is to ensure that all P.A.L.S. residents are either employed full-time or engaged in part-time employment while attending school, paving the way for a brighter future.

Therapeutic Foster Care Our Licensed Therapeutic Foster Care program represents a crucial facet of Southern Christian Services for Children and Youth, Inc.’s ongoing mission. These foster homes serve as temporary families for children and youth facing circumstances that make it unsafe for them to remain in their own homes due to abuse, neglect, or significant behavioral and emotional challenges. The heart of our Therapeutic Foster Care program lies in the recruitment, training, and careful matching of foster children and sibling groups with loving families, all with the goal of securing permanency as swiftly as possible.

Permanency can take various forms, whether it’s reuniting children with their biological families when conditions are conducive to their well-being or progressing toward adoption. Our focus remains steadfast on providing a safe, nurturing, and stable environment for these young individuals during their journey towards a brighter and more secure future.

Our Adoption from Foster Care program is dedicated to making a profound difference in the lives of children and youth with special needs. We understand the importance of providing these young individuals with the stability and love they deserve. Families who are willing and capable of making a permanent commitment to these children receive specialized training and support to prepare them for adoption. We firmly believe that no child should have to grow up in the foster care system, and every child deserves the opportunity to flourish in a safe and nurturing family environment. Our Adoption from Foster Care program is a testament to our commitment to finding loving, forever homes for these children, ensuring they have the chance to thrive and experience the care and stability they deserve.

Additionally, our Post Adoption and Respite Program plays a vital role in supporting families who have adopted through Mississippi’s foster care system. Our aim is to prevent children from re-entering foster care by providing a range of services, including information, referrals, crisis management, adoptive and foster parent training, youth training, family and teen support groups, and respite care services. Trained respite families offer foster and adoptive parents the valuable opportunity for a break during times of crisis. This program is a testament to our ongoing commitment to ensuring that adoptive families have the resources and support they need to provide a safe and loving home for these children, ultimately contributing to the wellbeing and stability of these families.

OUR SERVICES: PERMANENCY SERVICES

Adoption from Foster Care

Counseling Services Our Counseling Services are a cornerstone of our commitment to promoting the well-being and self-sufficiency of children, youth, and their families. We provide evidence-based therapies tailored to individuals aged 3 to 23 years old, with a focus on addressing a wide range of emotional and psychological needs. In addition, we extend our support to parents and caregivers, offering counseling to help them overcome personal challenges that may hinder their progress towards both individual and family stability. Our in-person center, conveniently located in the Jackson area, serves as a valuable resource for these services. Moreover, we recognize the importance of accessibility and offer telehealth options to extend our reach across the state, ensuring that more individuals and families can access the support they need to navigate life’s challenges and achieve their goals.

Our Parent Strong Prevention Program is dedicated to an important mission: reducing the number of children entering foster care. We achieve this by educating and empowering at-risk families, enabling them to establish safe, stable, and nurturing environments that shield children from violence and maltreatment. The Parent Strong Prevention Program relies on the ACT/Raising Safe Kids model, endorsed by the American Psychological Association. This model focuses on equipping parents with the knowledge and skills necessary to meet their children’s needs for protection, understand child development, and enhance their parenting abilities. Parent Strong offers a range of options, including online and in-person parenting education classes, catering to parents in the general community, court-mandated parents, teen parents, and expectant parents. Through this program, we strive to create a stronger, safer, and more supportive community for families, ultimately preventing the need for children to enter the foster care system.

Crime Victim Assistance Southern Christian Services for Children and Youth, Inc. is committed to providing critical support to children throughout the state who are victims of crime. Through our therapeutic foster care programs located in Jackson and Gulfport, we extend counseling and supportive services to these young individuals, ensuring they receive the care they need to heal and recover.

In Forest and the Metro-Jackson area, we offer comprehensive support to children aged 3 to 23 years old who have been affected by crime, as well as their parents and caregivers who are also victims. These services, including evidence-based therapy, are available to all, irrespective of their ability to pay.

Our goal is to create a safe and nurturing environment where these children and their families can find the support and healing, they deserve, helping them overcome the challenges they’ve faced due to crime.

OUR SERVICES: PREVENTION AND OUTPATIENT COUNSELING

Parent Strong (Training and Support Groups)

FINANCIALS 2022-2023 Preliminary Statement of Activities October 1, 2022 – September 30, 2023

REVENUES Government Agencies

$3,559,858

Public Support

$1,277,839

Other Income

$201,628

Total Operating Revenues

$5,039,325

EXPENSES Programs

$3,410,375

Administration

$218,369

Development

$266,979

Total Expenditures

$3,895,723

Increase in Assets

$1,143,602

REVENUE

25 %

4 %

Government Agencies

Public Support

Other Income

88 %

6 %

7%

Programs

Administration

Development

FINANCIALS

71 %

SPOTLIGHT STORIES The Easterling’s Family

See the Video!

The Easterling family’s journey is a testament to the transformative power of love and commitment. Over a decade ago, Rodney and Shawandra embarked on a path that would forever change the lives of children in need. Rodney’s experience working with adolescents in a residential treatment facility ignited a deep-seated desire to provide love and support to vulnerable children. With unwavering conviction, Rodney gently but persistently inspired Shawandra to embrace the idea of becoming foster parents, and this decision set in motion a journey that would impact countless lives.

Their partnership with Southern Christian Services for Children and Youth, Inc. began in 2012, and from that point on, they opened their hearts and home to children with a commitment that knew no bounds. In September 2014, the Easterlings celebrated the finalization of their first adoption, marking a moment of love and permanence that has resonated through the years. Their journey was not without its challenges, but amid the ups and downs, they found the strength to grow as a family.

In the subsequent years, the Easterlings extended their embrace to more children, finalizing the adoption of two brothers in June 2019 and welcoming their most recent addition in July 2023. With each step, their journey has been defined by compassion, unity, and an unyielding belief in the transformative power of love.

The Easterling family’s story is a celebration of their unwavering dedication to nurturing lives and building brighter futures. It serves as a powerful reminder of the profound impact that a single act of compassion can have on countless lives, and we honor their journey of commitment and their faith in the power of love.

Maranda’s Journey Finding Hope and Independence with PALS In a world that often seems unforgiving, Maranda’s story is a testament to the power of resilience, determination, and the unwavering support provided by the Southern Christian Services for Children and Youth, Inc. Maranda’s journey to independence has been nothing short of inspiring.

Maranda’s story began like that of many foster children—marked by instability and uncertainty. She moved from one placement to another, never truly finding the stability she so desperately needed. However, her unwavering spirit and strength shone through as she navigated a turbulent path.

Life took a turn for the worse when Maranda found herself in an unhealthy and abusive environment, trapped in a cycle of despair.

Yet, in the darkest of moments, she reached out to the support system she had in Mississippi. With their help, she managed to escape the perilous situation and find a ray of hope through a workforce development program.

It was during her time in this program that Maranda first heard about the PALS Transitional Living Program, a beacon of hope for youth seeking a brighter future. With the determination to transform her life, Maranda embarked on a new journey with PALS. Maranda’s time with PALS allowed her to explore her creative side. She found joy in crafting, especially in creating beautiful dream catchers. Her passion for art became a source of solace and self-expression. But it wasn’t just about her personal interests; she also discovered a deep love for her nephews and relished the opportunity to watch over them whenever she could.

What truly sets Maranda apart is her unwavering work ethic and determination. She has maintained consistent employment, demonstrating her commitment to building a stable and independent future.

With a bubbly, positive personality and an unwavering outlook on life, Maranda is a living testament to the impact of the PALS program. She has achieved one of her most significant goals—securing independent housing as a recipient of the FYI housing voucher, breaking free from the shackles of instability and homelessness.

In Maranda’s own words, “PALS has been life changing. PALS gives people like me a second chance to become something without having the burden of worrying about being homeless.”

Maranda’s journey is a testament to the transformative power of compassion, commitment, and the unwavering support provided by the Southern Christian Services for Children and Youth, Inc. Her story embodies the core values of your organization and underscores the significance of creating brighter futures for Mississippi’s children. Maranda is proof that with the right support and guidance, every child and youth can find hope, resilience, and a path to independence.

SAVE THE DATE

80 %

Mississippi Children’s Promise Tax Credit January 2024

Youth experiencing homelessness served were able to achieve individual housing and/or permanent placement in a safe and stable environment.

Don’t miss out on a unique opportunity to make a positive impact while enjoying valuable tax benefits through the Mississippi Children’s Promise Tax Credit. At Southern Christian Services for Children and Youth, Inc., we are dedicated to creating brighter futures for Mississippi children, and Youth you canexperiencing homelessness join us in this incredible mission. Make a difference and enjoy the rewards receiving services were able of giving back by donating to Southern Christian Services for Children and to identify, find, and maintain Youth, Inc. today. Learn more about this tax credit opportunity on our website stable employment within the at https://www.scscy.org/children-s-promise-tax-credit.

community.

80 %

36th Annual Bottom Line for Kids Benefit & Auction

Successful rate for keeping adopted Save the date for an unforgettable eveningfamilies of givingtogether and celebration as we through ourmark our 36th Annual Bottom Line for Kids Benefit and Auction.

Southern Christian Services for post adoption services. SCSCY Children and Youth, Inc. warmly invites you to participate as a sponsor in our 2024 prevents kids from the event. This year promises to be an extraordinary one, featuring live re-entering and premier auction items, a showcased artist, and exclusive previews of our system! new videos. It’s an opportunity foster care

August 2024

100 %

to come together, make a difference, and support our mission of creating brighter futures for Mississippi children. For upcoming details and updates about this event, please visit our website at www.scscy.org. We look forward to your participation and the positive impact it will have on the lives of the children and youth we serve.

Child victims of crime and their family members were comforted Sonny Fountain Memorial Golf Tournament through counseling and October 2024 supportive services.

We are delighted to announce the 17th Annual Sonny Fountain Memorial Golf Tournament, a collaborative effort between Southern Christian Services for Children and Youth, Inc. and Fountain Construction Company, Inc. This event holds special significance as it is named in loving memory of D.G. “Sonny” Fountain, a respected Jackson businessman and dedicated philanthropist who was the owner of Fountain Construction Company. The Sonny Fountain Memorial Golf Tournament for Kids is a testament to Sonny’s legacy and his commitment to making a difference in the lives of Mississippi’s children. We look forward to this meaningful event, bringing together the community in support of our mission to create brighter futures for the children and youth we serve.

47

109

Children served through our Therapeutic Foster Care Program

“PALS has been life changing.

PALS gives people like me a second chance to become something without having the burden of worrying about being homeless.”

-Maranda, PALS Program

“Counseling helped my family get stronger after what happened to us.” -Outpatient Counseling Program Client

“The biggest thing I learned was to be less of an authoritarian parent but rather to listen and console more with my children to see why they are acting out verses just putting them in time out or taking immediate action.”

-Parent Strong Father

“When we think that we are having little to no impact on the residence here, time is the ultimate tell of how effective our program really is.” -Joel Ingram, Group Home Residential Life Coordinator

“We love our children immensely; you can’t tell the difference between our biological children and our adopted one.” -The Hansen Family.

Foster Care Family

OUR AMAZING DONORS ANGELS Edwin E. and Ruby C. Morgan Foundation Ergon Foundation, Inc. Fidelity Charitable Foundation His Way, Inc. Lee M. Nicols, MD, PLLC. Mr. and Mrs. Buster Wellington Mrs. Carol Kirkland Puckett Machinery Company The Fountain Family Foundation Trustmark National Bank Wound Management Specialist, LLC. SAINTS Regions Foundation Renaissance Charitable Foundation Wheaton Foundation GUARDIANS Ballew Wealth Management Blue Cross Blue Shield of MS Mr. and Mrs. Jimmy Young PineLake Church in Brandon PROTECTORS First Christian Church of Jackson Flowood Baptist Church Mr. and Mrs. Andrew A. Comans Mr. and Mrs. Bryant Himes Property Tax Associates, Inc. Stan Turk Turk Foundation Fund c/o Christian Community Foundation William Young MENTORS Christian Church Foundation First Baptist Church of Jackson First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) Jennifer and Dave Scott MEA Medical Clinics

Melanie Woodrick Mr. and Mrs. Alfred Nicols Mr. and Mrs. Fred Nabors Mr. and Mrs. Gardner Gallaspy Mr. and Mrs. James W. Young Mr. and Mrs. Johnny Wray Mr. and Mrs. Nathan Cummins Mr. and Mrs. Scott Rives Parish Tractor Company, LLC. Resolute FP Canada, Inc. Show Mercy International FRIENDS Atmos Energy Corporation Automated Power Brooks Collection Vault CraftCroswell, Inc. Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) C. York Craig, Jr Disciples Women’s Fellowship-FCC-Meridian Elizabeth Ring Executive Women’s International First Christian Church-Meridian Gina Nelson Gloria Walker GranthamPoole Hinds Community College Foundation Karen Carlisle Koinonia Baptist Church Leland Hinton Mississippi Valley Electric Supplies, Inc. MMC Materials, Inc. Mockbee Hall & Drake PA Mr. and Mrs. Bill Mosby Mr. and Mrs. Christopher Walker Mr. and Mrs. Dennis Carraway Mr. and Mrs. Gavin Nowell Mr. and Mrs. George Nicols Mr. and Mrs. James Lamb Mr. and Mrs. James Souza Mr. and Mrs. Jameson Taylor

Mr. and Mrs. Jason Peets Mr. and Mrs. John Kelly Mr. and Mrs. Mark Goldman Mrs. Norweida Spencer Mr. and Mrs. Parker Mr. and Mrs. Sam Spengler Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Simmons Mrs. W.H. Holman Nicholas Acoustics & Specialty Co. Paula Martin Ronald Applewhite Russell Folk TechSource Solutions, Inc. The Wesley A. Caldwell Foundation TH Kendall III TH Kendall, IV Thrash Commercial Contractors, Inc. Tri-State Lumber Company W. Everett Carraway Walters Construction Co., Inc. Will Clark Wise Carter Law Firm SUPPORTERS 3 Belles LLC. A. Ric Richard All Saints’ Episcopal Church Amanda Annison Amazon Smile Andrew Sweat Anita Shorter Anthony Price Barbara England Bertie Mae Young Bill Sabbatini Calvin Watson Carpenter’s Pole & Piling, Inc. Central Surgical Associates Charles Haynes Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) Christine Knupp

MISSION / VISION / CORE VALUES

Christy Wimberly Peggy Cannada Cynthia Kitchens Ray Riley DavidOur BrownMission Reba Bradshaw response to the love of Christ, Southern DavidInSmith RedChristian Creek Union Baptist Church Dr. and Mrs. Carroll Jeffreyand Murphy Services forMcLeod Children and Youth, Inc. Rev. serves Dr. and Mrs. Peter B Arnold Robert Burke equips vulnerable children and youth, assisting E. Mitchell Robert Porch them in the process of becoming self-sufficient Ed and Karen Morgan Ronald Russell CPA members of society.

Elbertcontributing Hilliard Roy Graves First Christian Church of McComb Ruth Williams Flagstar Construction Co., Inc. Sara Caldwell Our Vision Freddie Bagley Stevens Mechanical Systems, Inc. Christian Services for ChildrenSusan and Ryan Youth, Gary Southern Brown Inc. envisions a community where all Mississippi Gayle Entrekin Sara Caldwell George Ritterhave a safe place to call home Stevens Systems, Inc. youth andMechanical the Grenada Delta Clinic Susan Ryan opportunity to thrive.

Gwen Owen Thomastown Christian Church Harvey Leslie Todd Tauzin CoreChristian Values Hayneville Methodist Utica Christian Church Indianola Church The Christian following core values inspire our staff and Johnny Crane and drive everything we do-including, CONTRUBUTORS partners our JW and Eva Russell 356 Ministries, INC approach to the work, the decisions we make, and Killebrew Psychological Services LLC Amanda Callihan theRiley way we collaborate: Kimber Bailey Braswell Compassion Kimberly•Causey Becky Hawkins Kimberly•Howland Darby Saulsbury Commitment Kyle Ward Douglas Levanway • Bold Leadership Larry Morrison Eugene Naylor • Continuous Training Laura Buskirk Gema Huynh • Optimism Laura Meacham Graham Upshaw • Responsiveness Lillian Weeks Jeanie Adams Linda Livingston Jeannie Boyett Maria Pollman Jerry Goodwin Martha Rogers Joe Stevens Mary Hall Josh Oller Mr. and Mrs. David Allen Joybeth Pope Mr. and Mrs. William Nichols Kathleen Eaton Mr. and Mrs. Tom Thompson Kelly Jackson Mrs. Derwood Boyles Kroger Company Otis Johnson Lucy Hilton Patsy Caraway Lynn Holder

Marian Wingo Mark Hodges Maureen Oriol Michael Baughman Monica Leggett Mr. and Mrs. Charles M Decker Mr. and Mrs. Malcom Mclain Robert Shiyou Sam Wells Tina Rogers

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 • Jackson, MS 39211 • Phone: 601.354.0983 • Fax: 601.352.8638 Email: info@southernchristianservices.org • www.sunrisems.org