ANNUAL REPORT 2021
CLEMENT-ARTS.ORG
DIRECTOR'S STATEMENT I am filled with gratitude to be part of a ministry that cares so deeply for those that are close to God's own heart. We have much to be thankful for at Clement Arts as the passions of our lives - adoption, foster care, and the arts - converge to accomplish our mission of making a difference in the lives of adoptive and foster families.
I am especially grateful for the partnership of so many who provide the necessary resources of time and financial support to help care for those who are caring for the most vulnerable. 2022 marks the 10 year anniversary of Clement Arts. As we plan for our next 10 years, I am reminded Proverbs 16:9 states, "A person's heart plans his way, but the Lord determines his steps." I look forward to celebrating what God has accomplished and to the steps He has ordered for the next decade of ministry.
CARMEN OVERTON EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
CLEMENT
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ANNUAL
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2021
CLEMENT
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ANNUAL
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2021
THE REALITY 2021 was another hard year for many of us personally and certainly for vulnerable children.
Your generosity makes a difference.
Let's talk global pandemic...still.
COVID-19 has significantly increased the harsh reality for vulnerable children, but it has also been the thing that has put some children in vulnerable places. One out of every four deaths due to COVID-19 leaves a child without a primary caregiver to meet that child’s needs.
On top of the global orphan crisis, the pandemic has also significantly impacted the U.S. foster care system. More children are entering foster care and fewer foster families are available to provide homes for them.
CHILD WELL-BEING There are over 400,000 children in the U.S. child welfare system facing trauma, instability, and a lack of permanency. Children in foster care experience two times the rates of PTSD as combat veterans. This is largely due to the fact that the average child bounces between four different homes within their first year of foster care.
Caregivers are struggling and burned out. Children are negatively impacted.
THE GOOD NEWS In 2021, you helped Clement Arts work towards a children, which included
better reality
expanding our ministry to include support for biological
families whose children are at-risk of entering foster care. engaged as Clement Care partners. More children found
expression
for vulnerable
More churches
gospel-centered creative
in our studios. More children and families had tangible needs met and
experienced the love of Christ. . CLEMENT
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FAMILY ADVOCACY MINISTRY Oftentimes, people and churches desire to get involved in the child welfare crisis but aren’t quite sure where to begin. Using a step-by-step ministry model provided by our ministry partner Promise 686, we are able to recruit, engage, and equip churches to establish Family Advocacy Ministries (FAMs) that allow churches to care for vulnerable children in their own communities.
The FAM model helps bring about a positive impact in the lives of vulnerable children through:
· Praying
diligently and consistently
· Raising
awareness around the needs of vulnerable children
· Recruiting · Serving · Meeting
and equipping families to care for children who are at-risk
families in crisis through Care Communities physical and financial needs
· Providing
grants and resources to the families working toward adoption
· Ministering
to families to help meet emotional and spiritual needs
Family Advocacy looks a little different for each church, but the outcome is the same. Ultimately, FAMs help provide what children need most: strong families.
If you are interested in starting a FAM at your church, please reach out to our Clement Care Director, Christal Gavin, to learn the next steps. christal@clement-arts.org
CLEMENT
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ANNUAL
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2021
TRUE SPIRITUALITY THAT IS PURE IN THE EYES OF OUR FATHER GOD IS TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN THE LIVES OF THE ORPHANS, AND WIDOWS IN THEIR TROUBLES, AND TO REFUSE TO BE CORRUPTED BY THE WORLD’S VALUES. JAMES 1:27
CLEMENT
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ARTS AS A MEANS OF MERCY Ephesians 2:10 says, “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” As people created in God’s image, we are creators. Whether that means practicing art as a vocation, learning a new art form, or creating a meal for a family, we all have unique giftings from God that allow us to put His glory on display. All of the creative endeavors at Clement Arts are designed to reflect the beauty and goodness of God. Creative experiences first and foremost point to Jesus but are also opportunities to engage the entire community in providing mercy to vulnerable children.
Creative experiences bring about a positive impact in the lives of vulnerable children through: · Providing
hands-on experiences with the arts to add beauty to children’s lives
· Allowing
everyone to get involved through participation in artistic events
· Creating
awareness about the needs of vulnerable children, and therefore,
advocates
· Raising
financial resources for families working towards adoption
· Teaching
children that they are never too young to make a difference in someone’s
life
· Celebrating
the gospel as the means by which we are adopted into God’s family.
Classes are offered during fall and spring semesters. Visit clement-arts.org to see class offerings and registration information.
CLEMENT
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ANNUAL
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2021
CLEMENT
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ANNUAL
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IMPACT In 2021, we hosted a variety of experiences that created awareness, raised support, and invited the community to get involved in creating strong families for children. A few highlights were:
Hope for the Journey
– 85 attendees participated in this conference that equips
parents and caregivers to meet the needs of children impacted by adoption or foster care.
Photography Days
– Spring and Fall Photo
Days allowed families to receive professional photos. Proceeds from photography days raised over $8,000 for the Foster Care and Adoption Support Funds to meet immediate needs for families.
Poets, Painters, & Storytellers
– We were
excited to be able to bring back this live event! This year’s headliner was singer/ songwriter JJ Heller with a beautiful art gallery featuring the work of Lulie Wallace and an opening act performed by spoken word artist Kwame Agyemang.
Over 200 guests attended our
Christmas Dance Recital
where our ballet
students demonstrated their skills as they praised God through dance.
Angel Tree
– Through a partnership with
The Village Foster Care Ministry and hundreds of donors and volunteers, over 1,600 gifts were provided to over 320 children in local foster homes.
CLEMENT
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“BUT UNLESS WE ARE CREATORS, WE ARE NOT FULLY ALIVE. WHAT DO I MEAN BY CREATORS? NOT ONLY ARTISTS, WHOSE ACTS OF CREATION ARE THE OBVIOUS ONES OF WORKING WITH PAINT OR CLAY OR WORDS. CREATIVITY IS A WAY OF LIVING LIFE, NO MATTER OUR VOCATION OR HOW WE EARN OUR LIVING.” -MADELEINE L’ENGLE
CLEMENT
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CLEMENT
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ANNUAL
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BOARD OF DIRECTORS & STAFF Directors: Mr. David Hancock – President, Merrill Lynch Wealth Advisor Mr. Allen Whitley – Treasurer, Synovus Private Wealth Advisor Mrs. Caitlin Ballard – Community Volunteer, Art Programs Chair Rev. Dr. Nick Cash – Executive Director of Jeeah’s Hope, Collaborative Partner Mrs. Lisa Dodgen – Community Volunteer, Clement Care Chair Mr. Larry Young – Southwire Corporate Transactions Attorney, Families Liaison
Staff: Mrs. Carmen Overton - Executive Director Mrs. Amelia Cox - Operations Director Mrs. Christal Gavin - Clement Care Director Mrs. Sarah Jane Hebert - Events Coordinator
THANK YOU Lives were impacted in 2021 because of our generous donors. If you supported Clement Arts this past year, please know we are sincerely grateful for you and your investment. You've made a difference in the lives of vulnerable children!
WAYS TO GIVE To support our mission, visit clement-arts.org/donate or give by check: Clement Arts P.O. Box 1142 Fortson, GA 31808
LET'S DO SOMETHING BEAUTIFUL! clement-arts.org
CLEMENT
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ANNUAL
REPORT
2021