2024 IMPACT
The Children’s Haven promotes the health and happiness of children impacted by abuse and neglect
Dear Friends,
I want to thank you for being a part of our family at The Children’s Haven. Because of your support, we served more than 500 children in 2024. Our community really stepped in to support our mission. Together, we worked even harder to secure resources, volunteers, and opportunities to ensure our kids in need would not be forgotten. I’ve never been so inspired or so grateful. Last year, there were 3,719 reports of abuse and neglect in Cherokee County. We have a lot of work to do to support families and secure safe, loving homes for our children.
Our Prevent Child Abuse (PCA) Cherokee program nearly quadrupled its services with intentional efforts aimed to prevent unnecessary foster care. The team provided 1,350 in-home visits to 100 families! We are one of the few programs in the state that go into the family’s home consistently, every week, for approximately six months. PCA Cherokee also offered two new group classes for parents of children involved in our Chin Up Mentoring. We are thrilled to share that for the second consecutive year, 97% of our program’s participants showed improvement in parenting knowledge and skills and 96% of the families served avoided foster care involvement this year.
Our Wellstar Family Visitation Center held more than 1,100 supervised family visits, complete with parent coaching and life skills education. We celebrated the opening of our second visitation space with a Ribbon Cutting event in May. Adding this second room allowed us to offer more than 100 supervised visits to families in the newly established Family Treatment Court program. The hope of reunification fuels this program.
Our Chin Up Mentoring program connected 45 teens with a trained, caring mentor through site-based life skills classes such as cooking, mindfulness, first-aid, and financial management. In its third year of operation, the program doubled the number of children served. Thanks to the kindness of some amazing volunteers, our Chin Up mentees had the opportunity to experience a summer day on Lake Allatoona alongside their mentors. These connections offer support and guidance for kids who just need a hand steering them back on the right course. Even after their mandated court participation in Chin Up Mentoring concluded, 11% of the mentees opted to continue the program with us.
Today, there are 351 Cherokee County children experiencing foster care. Our County’s 163 CASA volunteers advocated for the best interests of 345 kids last year. Because of your support, we added an additional staff position to our CASA team and trained 37 new volunteers! Our CASAs ensure that no child lingers in the foster care system. Cherokee County celebrated 66 family reunifications, 39 adoptions, and 39 guardianships this year. Volunteers make a world of difference in each individual child’s life.
We are proud to share that The Children’s Haven has earned the highest rankings from charity watchdog organizations, GuideStar/Candid and Charity Navigator, reflecting our organizational transparency and financial management. We earned recognition as a 2024 Top-Rated Nonprofit from Great Nonprofits and are recognized as an Accredited Charity with the Better Business Bureau.
Thank you for being a part of our mission to promote the health and happiness of children impacted by abuse and neglect. With a new year comes a renewed sense of hope. We believe every child deserves a happy and healthy childhood and the promise of a brighter future.
Building Happy, Healthy Children,
Marcie Smith
Executive Director
The Children’s Haven
THE CHILDREN’S HAVEN LEADERSHIP & TEAM
EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
Janet Read, Board Chair
Community Development Officer Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta
Tommy Pinyan, Past Board Chair Chief Deputy Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office
Lori Davis, Vice Chair Sr. Vice President Community Bank of Pickens County
Kristi Estes, Secretary Co-Owner, Occupational Therapist In Harmony Pediatric Therapy
Dana Cox, Treasurer Director of Development and Leasing Moxie Property Groups
Marcie Smith, Ex-Officio Executive Director
The Children’s Haven
BOARD OF ADVISORS
Mandi Ballinger
State Representative
Georgia House of Representatives
Buster Cushing Chief of Police
Cherokee County School District
Judge Jennifer Davis
Superior Court Judge Cherokee County Superior Court
BOARD MEMBERS
Christine Beam Executive Director, Health Parks Wellstar Health System
Kim Bishop Director of Development Cherokee Youth Foundation
Hayden Holcomb Founder & Lead Advisor Holcomb Financial
Shellie Hollingsworth CEO/Realtor Hollingsworth and Company
Judge Rick Jones Juvenile Court Judge Cherokee County Juvenile Court
DD Lee President Perfect Stay Rentals, LLC
Brooke Ford Director Cherokee County Division of Family and Children Services
Deidre Hollands, Lifetime Emeritus
Program Operations Director Georgia CASA
Dr. Debra Murdock Chief School Leadership and Operations Officer Cherokee County School District
Francisco Lozano
Business Intelligence & Data Analytics Manager Junior Perfumer Arylessence
Chris Luly Director of Planning and Zoning City of Ball Ground
Trey Ragsdale Public Affairs Kaiser Permanente
Steve Page CEO ProntoTrak
Andrew Smith Chief Associate Magistrate Court Judge, Cherokee County
Outgoing 2024 Board Chair, Tommy Pinyan –Thank you for your service!
The Children’s Haven Board
THE CHILDREN’S HAVEN TEAM
Marcie Smith Executive Director
Daphne Mullen Director of Operations
Michelle Meek Director of Community Engagement
Julie Carter Advocacy Director CASA of Cherokee County
Mandy Quigley Administrative Coordinator CASA of Cherokee County
Christine Clark
Advocacy Coordinator CASA of Cherokee County
Megan McDonald Advocacy Coordinator CASA of Cherokee County
Brooke Schmidt
Advocacy Coordinator CASA of Cherokee County
Meredith McKay
Visitation Manager Wellstar Family Visitation Center
Shaunte Barao
Family Support Specialist
Wellstar Family Visitation Center
Kathy Crites
Family Support Specialist
Wellstar Family Visitation Center
Rebekah Gibson Family Support Specialist
Wellstar Family Visitation Center
Gina Hollis Family Support Specialist Wellstar Family Visitation Center
Kristen Magrosky Family Support Specialist Wellstar Family Visitation Center
Penny Sibley Family Support Specialist Wellstar Family Visitation Center
Karen Woolf Family Support Specialist Wellstar Family Visitation Center
The Children’s Haven team enjoying our annual sCAREcrows For Kids fundraiser
June Long Program Coordinator Chin Up Mentoring
Amanda Sutter Program Assistant Chin Up Mentoring
Lindsay Pena Program Director Prevent Child Abuse Cherokee
Lea Stokes Family Care Coordinator Prevent Child Abuse Cherokee
Jenzhy Torres Curiel Family Care Coordinator Prevent Child Abuse Cherokee
Gretchen Hornsby Graphic Designer
The Children’s Haven team celebrating the return of our Annual Jeep Run
Team building event in Downtown Canton
SPECIAL ADVOCATES CASA
CASA of Cherokee County trains, empowers, and supports court appointed community volunteers to advocate for the best interests of children who have experienced abuse and neglect. Our court appointed special advocates (CASAs) strive to ensure that every child has a safe, permanent home and the opportunity to succeed. In 2024, our CASA program grew by 11% thanks to community and statewide support. This growth allowed us to train 37 new CASA volunteers. We initiated new community recruitment efforts to expand our CASA base and better serve children experiencing foster care.
CASA Day at the Georgia Capitol
Members of the CASA Cherokee team CASA community recruitment event
CASA BY THE NUMBERS
• 345 children served
• 163 CASA volunteers
• 37 new volunteers sworn in
• 11% increase in children served
• Served 72% of children in foster care
• 3,094 hours of court advocacy
• 73,635 miles driven by CASA volunteers
2024 CASA VOLUNTEERS
Judy Adams
Ginny Arcangelo
Cynthia Arnold
Cynthia Austin
Molly Ball
Sue Barfield
Kelly Black
Heather Blevins
Addie Bowen
James Bradshaw
Claire Brannon
Katy Brown
Elizabeth Burke
Stacy Butler
Karina Cameron
Alan Carraway
Christiana Caruso
Diane Castle
Ann Cave
William Cecil
Beth Choppa
Michelle Clark
Frank Cleveland
Annelise Collins
Melissa Conti
Valerie Corpora
Jeff Costa
Kim Costa
Marilee Coughlin
Pam Culver, Pam
Samantha Davidson
Nancy Davis
Rachel Davis
Phyllis Deeb
Cristin DiCicco
Lorraine Downs
Nicholas Downs
Linda Etheridge
Renee Everspaugh
Tony Ewers
Greer Ezrine
Scott Fabricius
Debra Farist
Eric Foley
Gladys Galindez
Marleigh Galt
Angela Gentry
Karen Gosdin
Jessica Gravley
Karen Greisman
Sean Grizzle
Misty Groves
Lori Haigwood
John Haney
Lisa Happe
Marie Hartman
Linda Hartsfield-Briscoe
Patricia Henderson
Shawn Heth
Melora Hiler
Catherine Hill
Terra Hitzing
Sandy Hogan
Dan Homiller
Sandra Hordos
Mary (Katie) Huff
April Ifkovits
Lynn Johnson
Jonathan Jones
Robert Jones
Sharon Jordan
Cheryl Karr
Dawn Kasha
Linda Katz
Angela Kelly
Susan Kimmel
Kelli Jo Lane
Margaret LaPorta
Janice Latoza
Renee Lefebvre Van Zilen
Patrick Leonard
Morgan Lewis
Anna Logsdon
Tonya Lovelace
Stephanie Lowry
Loretta M’Latamou
Jill MacGregor
Suzanne Mahoney
Donna Malone
Deirdre Manke
June Mann
John Martin
Sandy Martin
Lucia Mattern
Meredith McKay
Kathleen McPherson
Barb McRee
Janet Merkel
Mary Minicucci
Ann Moore
Beth Moore
Paul Mullins
Michelle Nevis
Vinnie O’Connor
Maggie Orozco
Whitney Parks
Sherrie Phillips
Primrose Picart
Christina Pivaral
Michele Prance
Jennifer Puckett
Jeffrey Rasberry Jr.
James Reddy
Macie Carol Redman
Christy Redovian
Beverly Reece Churchwell
Barbara Richard
Erin Richardson
Kathleen Rodriguez
Leslie Roper
David Saltz
Lisa Schmid
Florence Semenuk
Christine Semones
Lori Shackleford
Elizabeth Sheeley
Heather Shelton
Wendy Shyer
Penny Sibley
Sonya Simmons
Casey Simpson
Melanie Skinner
Debra Smith
Emily Smith
Linda Smith
Michele Smith
Robin Smith
Tami Smith
Robin Snider
Rhonda Speck
Holli Spell
Deborah Sprayberry
Lauren Stallings
Jammie Stamey
Michelle Stann
Barbara Stell
Paul Stombaugh
Melissa Tarrant
Lorraine Thompson
Karen Tilghman
Nina Torrence
Freddie Tucker
Sherry Tucker
Jenni Vereen
Michelle Von Trott
Wendy Wagner
Ellen Ward
Randy Watson
Rhiannon Wenzel
Sara Whitaker
Sherry Wiedman
Jeff Wilbur
Stefanie Williams
Karen Woolf
Polly Yaguchi
Mary Zamorski
Lynn Zaremsky
We are grateful for our CASA volunteers, who advocated for the best interest of 345 Cherokee County kids who experienced foster care in 2024.
Family Visitation Cent
er
SUPERVISED VISITATION
Ribbon Cutting for our second supervised visitation room
State Representative Mandi Ballinger presented a proclamation recognizing May as Supervised Visitation Awareness Month. In addition, we celebrated the completion of our second visitation space with a Ribbon Cutting ceremony. Due to the growing community need for supervised family support, The Children’s Haven converted an office space into a second family visitation room. Volunteers, donors, and grantors made the conversion possible. The expanded space allowed us to support 100 family visits for participants in the newly established Family Treatment Court program of Juvenile Court this year.
Because of the Wellstar Family Visitation Center, children experiencing foster care can celebrate special events, like birthdays with their families, even when they are not living together.
The Children’s Haven team wearing orange in recognition of Supervised Visitation Awareness Month
SUPERVISED VISITATION BY THE NUMBERS
“• 1,100 Family Visits
• 146 Children Served
• 650+ Hours of Parent Coaching
• 100+ visits for families in the new Family Treatment Court program
• 382 Hours of Referrals and Resource Connection
• Opened Second Visitation Space
As a volunteer Court Appointed Special Advocate, I have had the privilege of meeting, training and observing visitations at The Children’s Haven. It is a welcoming, professional environment that serves Cherokee children in foster care. These children face trauma and difficult challenges, so it is such a blessing to be able to have The Children’s Haven as a supporting environment for the children and those working to help them Samantha, CASA Volunteer
The Children’s Haven team wearing blue for Child Abuse Prevention Month in April
PREVENT CHILD ABUSE CHEROKEE PCA
PCA Cherokee exists to increase public awareness and implementation of programs and practices that prevent child abuse and neglect by developing trainings, educating our community, and connecting families to resources. We offer in-home parenting support in English and Spanish with the goal of empowering families and keeping them safely together, preventing unnecessary foster care involvement. Families participating in the program received weekly in-home visits complete with parent education, life skills training, resources and referrals, and case management.
This year, in partnership with Juvenile Court, we offered group parenting classes for the first time. These group classes were designed to offer parent education and support to families with teenagers, most of whom were involved with Juvenile Court and our Chin Up Mentoring program. Parents bonded over shared experiences and needs. The classes were also offered in Spanish.
The program celebrated 68 parents and 156 children served, with 96% of the families served by PCA Cherokee avoiding foster care. Every child deserves to grow up feeling safe and loved.
Graduates of our new group parenting class proudly displaying their certificates of completion.
Cherokee
PREVENT CHILD ABUSE CHEROKEE (PCA)
BY THE NUMBERS
• 68 parents served
• 156 children served
• 1,350 in-home visits
• 144 hours of life skills coaching
• 97% of parents showed improvement from pretest to posttest, demonstrating parenting knowledge gained
• 16 parents graduated from our new group parenting class
• 72 hours of therapy services provided
• 25 Spanish speaking families served
• 96% of families served successfully avoided unnecessary foster care involvement
Our Chin Up Mentoring volunteer mentors enjoying dinner together
TEEN MENTORING
Chin Up Mentoring is a site-based mentorship program designed to foster life-changing relationships through life skills classes and intentional interactions. The mentees and mentors meet once a month, share a meal and engage in educational, as well as empowering activities taught by community professionals. Through the on-site connections, the participants often communicate outside of the monthly meeting, having built relationships on trust and support. Mentors are caring community members who are willing to train and devote their time and guidance to a teen in need.
This year, we were able to host a really special Chin Up Mentoring event thanks to the generosity of our volunteers. These volunteers opened their home on Lake Allatoona and invited our mentors, mentees and the mentees’ families out for an evening of summer fun! We enjoyed a cook-out, boat rides, swimming, and games. It was a really special experience for everyone. Many of our mentees and their families got to ride a pontoon boat for the very first time!
CHIN UP MENTORING BY THE NUMBERS
Our Chin Up mentors invest their time and talents in their student mentees. This provides an opportunity for meaninglful experiences that help mentees know they are heard and valued.
• 24 mentors
• 11% of students opted to continue with Chin Up Mentoring even after completing their court mandated participation
• 45 students participated in Chin Up Mentoring
CarMax
Piedmont Church
Be Rich Woodstock City Church
Cobb EMC Foundation
Jack & Jill GLAC
Bibles to Bubbles
Jack & Jill GLAC
Crane Currency
Revolution Church Diaper Drive
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
CHILD ABUSE PREVENTION MONTH (APRIL)
OUT AND ABOUT IN OUR COMMUNITY
City of Woodstock
City of Holly Springs
City of Ball Ground
Chamber of
Canton Farmer’s Market
County State of the County Child & Family Wellbeing
1970s ADULT PROM
We held our 3rd Annual Adult Prom Fundraiser in February with a groovy 1970s theme. The Prom has quickly become one of our biggest events, raising more than $40,000.
sCAREcrows FOR KIDS
Our annual sCAREcrows for Kids event raised more than $30,000. Thanks to our partner, The Mill on Etowah, for generously providing the space for this fun event. Thank you to our sCAREcrow submissions and voters.
JEEP RUN
Our Cherokee Jeep Run held at Moore’s Farm hosted nearly 150 Jeeps, raising more than $18,000.
WHAT OUR COMMUNITY IS SAYING
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I am very proud to be a mentor with the Chin Up program. As an educator and community member, I appreciate the hard work and research that the program managers have put into designing each meaningful session. The students have responded to the monthly activities with gusto! I feel each mentor is expertly matched with their mentee and both the mentors and mentees are finding a rewarding relationship and are having fun!
I can honestly say that every student and adult in Cherokee County would benefit from the lessons we learn from each other at Chin Up!
Rebekah, Chin Up Mentor & Family Support Specialist
I was a CASA for four siblings in foster care for four years. 2 1/2 years ago the couple took in an infant. In July the couple adopted all 5 children. What a wonderful family they are. This makes volunteering very worthwhile.
Ginny, CASA Volunteer
I have known a little of the good work The Children’s Haven does through contacts and colleagues for several years. Then just a year ago my wife and I learned a lot more since we took the CASA training and joined the CASA volunteers. It has caused me to realize they actually do GREAT work with 5 connected but different purposes
Fred, CASA Volunteer
I started as a mentor for the Chin Up Program three years ago. I was so impressed with the positive impact made on the children and families, that I continued to volunteer in other areas. Every child should have the opportunity to be happy, healthy and realize their potential. The Children’s Haven does so much to make this a reality and it brings me joy to be a part of their efforts.
Shaunte, The Children’s Haven Volunteer, Family Support Specialist & Chin Up Mentor
I have interacted with The Children’s Haven and its leadership for many years in a number of different ways and across its various programs. I have never been disappointed in the caliber of its people or the quality of its programs. They are simply first rate. Its leaders actively engage in the community, seeking not only to further realize their own mission but also to strengthen organizations across the spectrum. They are especially effective advancing entities that serve at risk children and families. It is awe inspiring to watch them operate - and I say this after a career in law and serial organizational creation and scaling. While never directly a client, I would like to consider myself one of their foremost cheerleaders. God bless them in their work.
Clark, Community Partner
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The Children’s Haven has been a staple in the community for many years, evolving from a singularly focused CASA organization to an organization that has several programs spanning from court advocacy to prevention. I am so proud of The Children’s Haven for stepping so boldly into the prevention territory with their very own Chin Up Mentoring program that is all about adding support to parents and children in the community that need it. Prevent Child Abuse Cherokee is yet another preventative program that is doing the hard work of keeping children out of the foster system. The Children’s Haven is top notch in how they operate, with extremely talented staff and volunteers. I can’t recommend supporting The Children’s Haven enough!
Hayden, Board Member
The Children’s Haven is a complete blessing to our community! The way they love and serve each child and family that walks through the door is the most selfless thing I have ever seen. The love they give is seen on every face that comes into contact with this amazing group of people - truly the most giving and amazing group of people. I deal with many nonprofits and can honestly say that The Children’s Haven is in a league of their own when it comes to dedication, love and the well-being of each child they work with. Cherokee County is blessed by their presence and role in our community!
Kim, Board Member
We have been serving as Cherokee County CASAs for more than eight years and are amazed at how The Children’s Haven continues to put the children first and to reach out to our community to grow this ministry. Also, training and keeping volunteers up to date on the changes in technology and tools is extremely critical to help volunteers have the tools needed to be successful is awesome to be a part of. We are very thankful for this organization, for what it has meant to our community and especially what it means to the children it serves every single day.
Kim & Jeff, CASA Volunteers
THE CHILDREN’S HAVEN HAS RECEIVED THESE PRESTIGIOUS DISTINCTIONS
FINANCIALS & RECOGNITIONS
Federal Funding
Local Community Support
State Funding
Fundraising Events
Foundation Grants
CENTS OF EVERY DOLLAR
Total Income: $1,334,111
Program expenses: $1,030,579
Fundraising expenses: $54,620
Administrative expenses: $64,068
Total expenses: $1,149,267
Ending Net Assets: $1,206,068
MISSION, VISION & PURPOSE
OUR MISSION
The mission of The Children’s Haven is to promote the health and happiness of children impacted by abuse and neglect. We are committed to building successful children through programs that increase their safety and improve their educational, social and emotional functioning.
OUR VISION
We envision a community where every child impacted by abuse has the opportunities and supports they need to fully realize their potential, pursue their dreams and become productive members of our community.
OUR PURPOSE
We believe that every child should have the opportunity to thrive in a safe and permanent family. Our Challenge: to find the volunteers, resources, commitment & passion that will get us there.
INVEST IN OUR MISSION
VOLUNTEER
We have many meaningful ways to connect and get involved with our mission. Scan the QR code to find out more.
ORGANIZE A FUNDRAISER
Make your birthday extra special this year! Rally your friends, family and networks to support our mission alongside of you.
MAKE A GIFT TODAY
Donate online: CherokeeChildrensHaven.org
Give by check: 1083 Marietta Hwy., Canton, GA 30114
CONNECT WITH US
The Children’s Haven thechildrenshaven
Sign up for our newsletter: CherokeeChildrensHaven.org
PLANNED GIVING
By including The Children’s Haven in your estate plans, you’ll be helping us continue our mission for years to come. We would be honored to have a conversation about making a legacy gift. Please contact our Executive Director, Marcie Smith, at marcie@cherokeechildrenshaven.org. Thank you for considering this extraordinary way to make a lasting difference.
2024 YEAR IN REVIEW
The Children’s Haven served more than 500 children.
Our Prevent Child Abuse Cherokee program provided 1,350 in-home visits.
96% of our PCA program participants successfully avoided foster care involvement.
16 parents graduated from our new group parenting class.
Our Wellstar Family Visitation Center held more than 1,100 supervised family visits.
We opened a second supervised visitation space within our facility to meet a growing need.
Our Chin Up Mentoring program connected 45 teens with a trained, caring mentor through site-based life skills classes such as cooking, gardening, and financial management.
11% of Chin Up Mentoring participants opted to continue in the program even after completing their court mandated participation.
163 CASA Volunteers advocated for the best interest of 345 Cherokee County kids experiencing foster care.
Our CASA volunteers served 62% of children in foster care (in Cherokee County).
37 New CASA volunteers were sworn in.
