The Presbyterian Home for Children, recognizing the changing needs of children with their caregivers and young adults who are transitioning to adulthood, provides a faith-based safe haven through programs that nurture, educate, and equip them to become the fully functioning persons whom God created them to be.
MISSION STATEMENT AS ADOPTED BY THE PHFC BOARD OF TRUSTEES ON FEBRUARY 1, 2016
VISION STATEMENT
The Presbyterian Home for Children serves as a beacon of hope and transformation, where every child, caregiver, and young adult in our care finds safety, support, and the opportunity to thrive. We envision a world where every individual we serve is empowered to reach their full potential, grounded in faith and equipped to build a brighter, self-sufficient future.
VISION STATEMENT AS ADOPTED BY THE PHFC BOARD OF TRUSTEES ON OCTOBER 8, 2024
Ascension Leadership Academy students enjoy a beautiful spring day together on the playground with pinwheels and other toys that make being at ALA fun. Get the latest highlights from our accredited private school on Pages 4 and 5.
PRESBYTERIAN HOME FOR CHILDREN 2025 Board of Trustees
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
Rev. Brandon Miles Mobile, Moderator
Mr. Mark Feagin Birmingham, Immediate Past Moderator
Ms. Lisa deShazo Mobile, Vice Moderator
Mr. David Perry Birmingham, Treasurer
Ms. Carol Copeland Athens, Secretary
Mr. John W. Haley, Esq. Birmingham, Legal Counsel
Dr. Joyce Pettis Huntsville, Member At Large
Rev. Christie Ashton Huntsville
Mr. Ted Autterson W. Columbia, SC
Mr. David Ayers Mobile
Ms. Millie Chastain Talladega
Ms. Cathy DeLozier Vestavia
Ms. Amy Dickerson Homewood
Mr. George Fritsma Trussville
Mr. Jeff Hicks Montrose
Rev. David Jamison Dothan
Ms. Regan Liggins Vestavia
Mr. John Myers Foley
Rev. Robin Palmer Madison
Rev. Bob Phelps Albertville
Mr. Uhland Redd IV Florence
Rev. Madison Roberts Mountain Brook
Rev. Joseph Scrivner, Ph.D. Tuscaloosa
Mr. Scott Weldon Mobile
ADVISORY BOARD MEMBERS
Ms. Kelly Elmore, Decatur
Ms. Mary Otulana, Homewood
Ms. Christi Robinson, Huntsville
Ms. Brenda Uptain, Talladega
Mr. Chuck Williams, Hiram, GA Rev. Jonathan Yarboro, Wetumpka
The Presbyterian Home for Children is a Christian caring community for children and families in need, serving children and families regardless of race, color, creed, gender, national origin, or disability. The ministry is governed by a Board of Trustees elected in part by the Presbytery of Sheppards and Lapsley, North Alabama Presbytery, and Presbytery of South Alabama.
Caminos® is a registered trademark of Everstand. All rights reserved.
Beginnings is published for the friends and supporters of the Presbyterian Home for Children. Children's identities may be disguised to protect the privacy of the individual.
This year at the Presbyterian Home for Children, our focus has been all about growth—growth in programs, growth in reach, and most importantly, growth in the lives of the children and families we serve. It’s been a season of renewal and expansion, grounded in a 157-year legacy of compassionate care.
That legacy lives on in remarkable ways. I’m especially moved by the stories of board members who serve not because of family ties, but because of a rooted, shared commitment to our mission. In May we welcomed a second generation Board member with Uhland Redd IV, whose father Uhland Redd III was on the Board in the 1980s. Their family at First Presbyterian Church of Florence has a tradition of giving back to those in need, and they both chose to give back at the Home.
The legacy of care has been passed down in beautiful ways, like through Elijah Ferguson, Samantha Ferguson’s son, who joined our maintenance team for summer work after witnessing the life-changing impact of the Home as the son of an alumni of the Home. Kelly Elmore, English Language Learner Coach with Decatur High School, also joined the Home in May as a new Advisory Board Member. With her faith roots at South Highland and First Presbyterian in Birmingham, Immanuel Presbyterian in Montgomery, Westminster Presbyterian in Decatur and the North Alabama Presbytery, Kelly has a huge heart for the at-risk children and families that we serve through our programs. These are the stories that remind us this work isn’t just about today—it’s about building something enduring.
As we prepare for a strategic planning retreat, we’re excited to shape the next chapter of our ministry. Projects like the continued expansion of Secure Dwellings and Ascension Leadership Academy, and the dedication of the newest Union Village tiny cottages named Faith and Hope are tangible signs of progress. But it’s the spirit behind them – the legacy of love, faith, and action – that drives us forward.
Ascension Leadership Academy had a fantastic school year, and we got to celebrate the successes of students graduating from kindergarten and from our high school. We are so proud of the solid education our students receive.
We invite you to be part of what’s next. Whether through your prayers, your talents, your gifts, or simply sharing our story, you are helping to plant seeds of hope that will flourish for generations to come.
With gratitude,
Doug Marshall President and CEO Presbyterian Home for Children
CELEBRATING GRADUATES AT ALA
Joy, cheers, celebration, and a few tears filled the room as families, faculty, and friends gathered for Ascension Leadership Academy’s 2025 Awards Day followed by a Graduation Ceremony later that evening.
The program began with student-led pledges and a spirited rendition of "Do Lord" by the student choir, followed by a performance of "My Summer," set to the tune of "My Girl" that had the audience smiling.
At the Graduation Ceremony, Pastor Leeann Scarbrough, Director of Spiritual Life, shared a powerful devotional, reflecting on the roots of the word “goodbye” and how it originated from “God be with you.” With that reminder, she encouraged our graduates and families to carry God’s presence with them onto their next adventures.
We are proud to recognize two graduating seniors this year—both of whom completed their high school education with college credits already under their belts. Callie Hughes, graduating Summa Cum Laude, earned approximately $14,000 in scholarships and plans to continue her education this fall while pursuing a career in insurance, with the goal of owning her own Farmer’s Insurance Agency. Bailee Taylor balanced a full schedule of school and work as a cashier at Piggly Wiggly plus managed to graduate early. She has entered the workforce and plans to pursue a business degree. Both graduates served as ambassadors while at ALA.
Presbyterian Home for Children President/CEO Doug Marshall offered heartfelt words of wisdom to the graduates:
“Believe in yourselves, stay curious, and never stop striving for excellence. The future is bright primarily because God has an incredible plan for your lives. I encourage you to love God, love others, and look like Jesus as you go from here.”
The day was also filled with recognition for academic achievement, dual enrollment success, STAR and MAP growth, and a kindergarten graduation that drew proud applause from every corner of the room.
Want ALA to put your child on the path to success? Enrollment is open now! VISIT | ascensionleadership.org
ASCENSION SOARS INTO SUMMER
Ascension Leadership Academy wrapped up the academic year in May with a school-end party that sent students into summer break on a high note.
Students got to unwind after a busy year at the annual end-of-the-year celebration at Shocco Springs Conference Center in Talladega.
Student Mason Schoeller loves fishing and caught a few of these during the celebration.
When going to Shocco, the students enjoy playing in the water, such as playing water volleyball. They also play on the diving board and slides in the deep-water area and the wading pool and splash pad.
AT THE CORE OF ALA’S MISSION: CELEBRATING THE EXCELLENCE OF SUE GALLAHAR
At the heart of every successful organization is a team of dedicated individuals whose passion, commitment, and hard work drive its mission forward. At Ascension Leadership Academy (ALA), teachers and staff embody this spirit every day.
We are proud to shine a spotlight on one such individual whose exceptional contributions exemplify the very best of ALA — Sue Gallahar, Assistant to the Director.
Sue joined ALA in April 2018 and has become an invaluable member of the team. She is the vital link between parents, teachers, and administration, serving as the central hub for school communications and operations. Whether handling business correspondence, facilitating parent outreach, or supporting day-to-day administrative needs, Sue ensures
that everything runs with efficiency and professionalism. Before joining ALA, Sue brought with her a wealth of experience as a secretary and bookkeeper for Talladega City Schools. Even after her official retirement, she had a passion to continue working and joined ALA. For the past seven years, she has kept the ship on course with steady hands, sharp attention to detail, and an unwavering commitment to our school community.
One of Sue’s most impactful accomplishments this year has been her leadership in guiding ALA families through the CHOOSE Act scholarship process. Thanks to her tireless work and constant communication with families, 100% of eligible students successfully applied for and received scholarship funding. This not only provided critical tuition support to families, but also secured vital funding for the school. Her diligence lifted the financial burden for parents and empowered them to choose an education aligned with their values and aspirations.
SECURE DWELLINGS GRADUATE CELEBRATES NEW LIFE
Rebecca Beal and her two young boys were living in a family member’s garage when they found out about Secure Dwellings at the Presbyterian Home for Children’s campus in June 2024.
Rebecca had been kicked out of her abusive boyfriend’s house – again. She decided she was done, and she was never going back.
Her car packed with all her belongings, Rebecca started looking into shelters when she was referred to the Home’s Secure Dwellings program. With the Home, she can stay for up to two years and be given a chance to breathe and dream of what she wants for her family’s future.
“I was looking for a way out,” she said. “And we found the Home.”
When Vice President of Transitional Housing Sharon Moore and her team gave Rebecca the keys to her own apartment in Ramsey Cottage, one of her first questions was where to find the washer/dryer and whether it took coins. She was shocked to learn the apartment came with its own set.
GROWING STRONG ROOTS
We’re proud to celebrate the achievements of some remarkable young adults with ties to our Secure Dwelling programming.
Congratulations to Moneè Brown, daughter of Secure Dwellings alumnus Shandra Thomas, who recently graduated from The University of Alabama with her bachelor’s degree in criminal justice using the Home’s Archibald Ritter Green Scholarship.
Four of Thomas’ seven children graduated from Ascension Leadership Academy and continue to blossom in their post-secondary paths—a powerful testament to the impact of education and a loving foundation. Daniel has a wonderful job and career ahead at the Mercedes plant near Tuscaloosa, while both David and Phaethon graduated from Parris Island and are serving as U.S. Marines.
“God made this possible,” Rebecca said. “God said, ‘You go where the boys are happy, where there’s not a mad man in the house.’”
As part of being in Secure Dwellings, her oldest son, Braylon, 7, was enrolled into the Home’s private school, Ascension Leadership Academy. Through a partnership with Cheaha Regional Head Start, her youngest, Jaxton, 5, was placed in a Pre-K program.
Rebecca said Braylon’s grades weren’t good before he came to Ascension. After a year of being taught by master teachers who are trained to help children coming from challenging family situations, Braylon finished in May with all As and Bs.
“It was rough before, but now he’s doing great,” she said.
The Secure Dwellings team helped Rebecca get a good job with a Talladega retail store, and she started saving her money for a deposit on an apartment as she finds her way toward independence.
After a year in Secure Dwellings, Rebecca saved enough to secure a new apartment, and in mid-May, she and the boys moved in. While they graduated from the Secure Dwellings program, Rebecca’s family is still connected to the Home. Both boys are set to attend Ascension Leadership Academy next year to continue their strong education progress.
We’re also cheering for Bizzy’s family. Many of you may remember her story that we shared at Christmas time. Her oldest son, Logan, is attending East Mississippi Community College and is in the U.S. Air Force ROTC at Mississippi State University. He recently earned his pilot’s license and plans to enter the Air Force as an officer. Caleb just finished his freshman year of high school where he is very involved in the theater guild as an actor and member of the tech team. He plans to follow his big brother into the Air Force and specialize in cyber security. And Caleb just landed a summer job at a fine dining establishment! Bizzy’s beautiful daughter, Chasey, is also doing well and thriving in nursing school. These stories remind us that the seeds planted at the Home continue to flourish for generations.
UNION VILLAGE GROWS WITH DEDICATION OF ANOTHER DUPLEX
The Presbyterian Home for Children dedicated another new tiny cottage duplex in a ceremony on June 18.
The tiny cottages were dedicated to Second Presbyterian Church in Homewood in recognition of the church’s $300,000 donation for construction of the duplex and other campus improvements. The cottages built by Davis Builders, Inc. of Talladega are appropriately named Hope and Faith.
In 2017, the Presbyterian Home for Children in Talladega started construction of Union Village, a permanent supportive housing community for individuals who are deaf, blind, deafblind, or multi-disabled. The Alabama Institute for Deaf and Blind provides crucial support to Union Village to help empower these individuals to live the independent life of their choosing. This housing community has been recognized across the nation as unique and unmatched in its serving of this vulnerable population.
Union Village’s growth has been made possible with the help of partners like Building & Earth Sciences Inc. of Birmingham, which provided their expertise in the beginning to prepare the site for the tiny cottage construction.
Building & Earth Sciences provided geotechnical investigations and construction materials testing to help transform some of the Home’s beautiful farmland into a place where individuals with disabilities and support needs can live independently and thrive at Union Village.
"We were honored to be involved with a project like this from the ground up," said Matt Adams, Principal and Director of Corporate Client Development for Building & Earth. "Knowing that our expertise directly contributed to creating a
safe and stable environment for Union Village’s residents is incredibly rewarding."
Adams and his team said seeing the vision of Union Village come to life, with its innovative approach to providing independent living for so many individuals in need, reinforces their belief that their projects make a tangible difference in people’s lives.
“Building & Earth Sciences is honored to use our expertise where it is needed most in support of Union Village at the Home, which has a 157-year legacy of providing support services to meet critical needs in the community,” Adams said. “Witnessing the mission grow, especially with the recent dedication for the new duplex, truly underscores the profound impact of projects.”
Second Presbyterian was able to donate funds for the newest construction through the sale of their church property in Homewood after the congregation merged in October with Edgewood Presbyterian, which is also in Homewood.
Donating funds to a meaningful mission like Union Village allows Second Presbyterian to live on through its legacy and continue giving back to those in need, church officials said.
VOLUNTEERS CLEAR THE WAY FOR UNION VILLAGE GROWTH
The Presbyterian Home for Children recently welcomed 70 dedicated volunteers from Church of the Highlands’ Serve Day and Disaster Response Teams.
Arriving from the Oxford, Gadsden, and McCalla campuses, these volunteers spent a full day cutting down 10 large trees on campus that were either dead, diseased, or deformed, clearing space for the future installation of lights in the new Union Village parking area.
The team also shared their time and hearts across the street at Presbyterian Oaks, a senior living facility, where they connected with residents through kindness and prayer. Over lunch, they spent meaningful time with moms and children in our care and prayed with Jim Bob, a resident of Union Village.
Our team shared about the amazing work happening on campus daily. Plans are in the works for these teams to come back this summer to help with needed tree branch trimming.
This fall, when it’s cooler, the Home will replant trees to continue to provide beauty across campus with guidance from Jacob Turner, Regional Extension Agent with the Alabama Cooperative Extension System in connection with Alabama A&M and Auburn Universities. Turner will help identify ideal locations and types of trees for the replanting. Turner also earlier helped design the Home’s sensory garden planted at Union Village.
We are thankful to this generous team for helping us prepare the grounds for continued growth with hearts full of love.
Second Presbyterian members attended the dedication that was in honor of their church’s donation.
Summer Fun and Lifelong Memories at Baytreat
Baytreat on Mobile Bay has long held a special place in the hearts of the children at the Presbyterian Home for Children. For many decades, this property was owned by our mission partner Government Street Presbyterian Church in Mobile and our children spent summer days every year there playing and making memories in the sun. So when we received word that Baytreat would be sold, it stirred up a lot of emotions. But what came next was a blessing beyond what we could have hoped for! Our friends at Trinity Presbyterian Church in Fairhope became the new stewards of this beautiful retreat.
Thanks to Trinity’s continued generosity, Baytreat remains a place of joy and connection for our families and staff. Each summer, we are invited back to enjoy this peaceful place - a gift that gives not only rest and recreation but also meaningful time for healing and togetherness. We are so blessed with mission partners like Government Street and Trinity Presbyterian who walk alongside us and make these special experiences possible year after year.
GIFTS OF FUNDS AND INSPIRATION
The Home was incredibly grateful to receive a gift of funds and inspiration from Edward L. Osborne, who visited Ascension Leadership Academy this spring.
Osborne honored his grandparents’ legacy as trustee of the Estate of Edward Ott and the Estate of Ruth Ott and brought by $15,000 from both estates to donate to the Presbyterian Home for Children in honor of his grandparents’ legacy of service and community impact.
Osborne, an Amazon employee in Bessemer with a huge heart for young people, also shared powerful words to Ascension students on the value of hard work and never giving up. Osborne’s family is an inspiration. His father, Willie Osborne, was a government contractor, community activist, and foot soldier. He also retired from the Army after 23 years of service. His Great Aunt Doris Tate worked for Elmer Harris, long-time CEO of Alabama Power. His grandmother Ruth Ott worked for BellSouth. Edward Ott, his grandfather, worked
for the Internal Revenue Service and also retired from the military.
Osborne was represented by Loder, PC in Birmingham in the administration of both estates. After the special school assembly, Ronda Robinson with Loder joined Osborne on a campus tour of the Home given by President Doug Marshall.
We are honored to have the Osborne family as a partner with our mission.
ALUMNI SHARE RESILIENCE STORIES AT ALUMNI DAY
The Presbyterian Home for Children held our annual Alumni Day on June 21 and opened the campus to many first-time returning alumni and several who hadn’t returned in many years.
The alumni took tours of campus wearing flowery leis in honor of this year’s tropical theme and got a look inside cottages they hadn’t seen in decades. Alumni Day was coordinated by Suzanne Cornett, Senior Manager of Development and Volunteer Coordinator, who also recruited youth from First Presbyterian Church of Tuscaloosa to help with the festivities while loving on our alumni and residents.
They looked through old photos displayed in the gym and reminisced about their days living at the Home. Maria Austin Wilson saw photo albums from when she and her sister lived at the Home from 1962 to 1966. Wilson, who was 12 in one photo, remembered everyone’s names from her cottage that became her Home after her mother died.
“(The Home) was a resting place on our journey through this life,” she said while holding a yearbook. “A place where we could find our way until God presented what He wanted to do with our lives.”
Brenda Toney Patterson, who is about to turn 80, made her first visit to Alumni Day to see the campus where she lived from the 1950s until 1962. Patterson said being at the Home was a way to make lemonade out of lemons after her mother died when she was 7 and then her dad had a debilitating heart attack.
Patterson said she was grateful for many opportunities afforded to her and her siblings at the Home that she wouldn’t have had elsewhere. For starters, the campus had indoor plumbing, which was “like heaven to us.” After graduating into adulthood, Patterson became a foster mom to many other children to give back. “You can understand what they’re going through,” she said.
Patterson enjoyed hearing about the Home’s signature Secure Dwellings program that houses homeless moms and children on campus with wraparound program supports for up to two years and said she is glad the Home is here “to help families try to stay together.”
Devoted alumnus Brenda Hardy - a regular at Alumni Day events - shared her story with volunteers from First Presbyterian Church of Tuscaloosa about her time at the Home that started in the summer of 1977. “This place gives people with broken homes a place to come,” she said, adding the joy of having regular meals and new clothes that she didn’t have when living with a father who suffered from alcoholism and a mom who was addicted to drugs.
Hardy graduated from high school in 1982 and immediately married her husband now of 42 years. She had two boys and said she made sure they “would never go without.” Last summer, Hardy brought her brother, Bryan Marler, to the Home as his dying wish to see the campus one last time and give thanks to the place that took care of him when his family couldn’t.
Marler toured campus with President Doug Marshall and Advisory Board Member and alumnus Chuck Williams and reminisced about Bryan’s first cottage, Whitfield, and explored its recent renovations. The group also visited the kitchen, where Bryan shared memories of his days dishwashing and working in the food pantry.
HOME GIVES OUT 500 NIKE TENNIS SHOES IN WILCOX COUNTY AS MISSION OUTREACH PROGRAMS EXPAND
The Presbyterian Home for Children finished an impactful mission outreach school year with children and youth in rural Wilcox County with an end-of-the-school-year party and a giveaway of more than 500 free Nike tennis shoes as the Home strengthens its relationship alongside local nonprofit M.I.N.D. Mentoring in New Dimensions in these communities.
This spring, the Home also started stocking a Caring Closet at F.S. Ervin Elementary School in Pine Hill, Alabama. The Caring Closet provides immediate-needs items for the 200 children, because kids learn best when they feel their best. The Home plans to offer a Caring Closet in Wilcox County’s two other elementary schools during the 2025-26 school year.
The first item delivered for the Closet at Ervin Elementary was a washing machine that allows staff to clean children’s uniforms and other items like nap mats that may not get cleaned when taken home to family.
Later this summer, the Closet will get packed with supplies that students need but are not ordinarily offered by the school, such as new uniform pants and shirts, hoodies, undershirts and underwear, socks, deodorant, toothbrushes, snacks, and bottled water.
“Supplying the children with basic-needs items helps them learn better in their school environment,” Mission Outreach Director Cindy Fisher said. “It levels the playing field for those at a disadvantage at home and increases their academic performance and quality of life. Not having adequate and appropriate clothing can impact a variety of social and economic aspects of a child’s life, including peer acceptance and education opportunities.”
In May, the Home completed a yearlong weekend backpack program that sent food home with 40 children in the most need at F.S. Ervin Elementary School. The Home celebrated the end of the school year with meals for 185 children in partnership with M.I.N.D.
For the end-of-the-school-year celebration this year, the children got a full meal from the Home at their special May Day festivities on May 9. The lunch included chicken, baked beans, and coleslaw and was prepared by Arlington Presbyterian Church, which is located in Wilcox County.
The Home staff returned to Wilcox County on May 14 with two vans full of 530 Nike tennis shoes that were donated by nonprofit High Socks for Hope in Tuscaloosa. The sneakers were Nike’s Kyrie Irving brand, named for a well-known professional basketball player.
The shoes were given to seventh and eighth graders at Camden School for Arts and Technology and to ninth through 12th graders at Wilcox Central High School.
The Nike shoes were also given out to students at Ascension Leadership Academy and families living on our Talladega campus.
STAFF UPDATES
Brittany Gaddis joined the Home as a Human Resources Generalist. With over 15 years of experience in the HR field, Gaddis brings dedication and insight to her role. She is a proud mother to one daughter and an active member of Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church in Sylacauga. Outside of work, she enjoys watching Detroit Lions football, spending time with family, and serving her community as a youth basketball, softball, and volleyball coach with Sylacauga Parks and Recreation.
Krista Connell joins the Home with 17-plus years of accounting experience and expertise. She is happily married to Brandon for 18 years, and they have two boys, Fischer and Hunter. During her spare time, she enjoys Alabama football, playing on the lake, and spending time with family and friends. Connell attends Catalyst Community Church and keeps busy with her boys’ sports (baseball, football, and wrestling). She is a true boy mom and loves every second of it.
The Home said goodbye to Maintenance Supervisor Bryan Wood, who retired in May to take on a dream job as music minister at his church Bemiston Baptist in Talladega. Wood has spent five years working on the Home’s buildings on campus alongside staff and residents.
PHFC CEO Doug Marshall said the Home has been blessed to have Wood here and thanked him for “never turning down a hard task.” Over the years, Sharon Moore, Vice President of Transitional Housing and Family Services, said Wood and his church have “shown the love of Christ” in action by spending hours with residents, specifically the moms in Secure Dwellings, making jewelry and hosting egg hunts and other activities. “He is part of this family and will always be,” Marshall said during the mid-May Board meeting when members honored Wood for his service.
While on staff, Bryan Wood often blessed our events with his beautiful voice. Here, he sings "How Great Thou Art" when the Presbytery of Sheppards and Lapsley held their November 2023 meeting on our campus.
Wood said he made lifelong friends working at the Home and couldn’t turn down an opportunity to work in music, which he has loved since childhood. Wood and his brothers sang in a quartet, and he played in the school band. “I’ve always loved music since I was little,” Wood told the Board gathered in Weatherly Hall, where he has sung many solos for crowds. “I love music from the bottom of my heart and am glad this opportunity came open.”
LEADERSHIP TEAM PREPS FOR EAGLE ACCREDITATION ON-SITE REVIEW
The Presbyterian Home for Children leadership team is nearing the finish line in the process of earning renewal of the prestigious Educational Assessment Guidelines Leading toward Excellence EAGLE Accreditation in 2025.
Staff started during 2024 and has completed and submitted the challenging documentation portion required to maintain EAGLE accreditation, which is the highest standard for a faith-based organization serving children, youth, and families to accomplish. We have been accredited by EAGLE since 2017.
Now the team prepares to show an EAGLE National Accreditation Review Team that we practice what we say we do in that paperwork.
In the visit that will take place on our campus September 14-18, the EAGLE team will review our programs for children and families, our facilities and how the Home operates, and how the Home manages finances and fundraising. It also includes interviews with members of the Board of Trustees, leadership, staff, and clients. To make sure we are prepared for the review, the Home’s staff will conduct a mock site visit in July.
The accreditation process is a great way to regularly check all of our functional systems to ensure we are using the best practices out there to fulfill our mission and enhance our impact for those who need us most. We look forward to this EAGLE review for the greater good of the Home and the children, youth, and families we serve.
OPENING OUR DOORS, HONORING OUR HISTORY
The Presbyterian Home for Children was honored to open our doors and invite the community into our story as part of this year’s April in Talladega Historic Tour of Homes.
For more than 157 years, the Home has been a fixture in the Talladega community and a cornerstone in the lives of at-risk children and families. We were blessed to be able to share that legacy with neighbors, alumni, and guests from across the region.
Visitors toured our historic Weatherly dining hall, which was transformed into a walk-through timeline showcasing our mission in action. From early photographs and documents to interactive displays, the room showcased milestones like our beginning in 1868, expansion into educational programs, and the creation of Union Village. Guests explored original
furniture, historical records, and current program highlights, all arranged alongside curated images and artifacts. Guests also enjoyed a beautiful view of Jacobs’ Courtyard with its rose garden in full bloom.
It was an honor to share our past while supporting the future of the city of Talladega.
UHLAND REDD IV JOINS PHFC BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Uhland Redd IV says he loves being a part of an organization that helps others help themselves.
Redd recently joined the Board of Trustees of the Presbyterian Home for Children. A native of Florence, Redd was nominated to the Home’s Board by the North Alabama Presbytery of the Presbyterian Church, USA. In addition to his service with the Home, Redd will soon join the session of First Presbyterian Church of Florence.
He is the second generation of Redds to take a leadership position with the Home. His father, Uhland Redd III, was on the Board in the 1980s.
Redd IV said that his father, who is now 88, and his mother “are very supportive and proud” that he has joined the Home’s Board of Trustees. “My family believes that to whom much is given, much is expected,” Redd said. “I’ve been afforded many opportunities, and you need to give back when given the opportunity.”
He was a member of the Shoals Habitat for Humanity Board of Directors for six years. Habitat was a natural fit because Redd’s career has revolved around the construction industry. His father was the third generation to own and operate Florence Lumber Company, where Redd IV worked from the time he was old enough to push a dustmop.
He moved to south Florida for nine years to work for Benjamin Moore Paints. He returned to Florence, where he represents The Wooster Brush Company, an Ohio-based company that makes paint brushes. Redd covers Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, and the Florida Panhandle.
Redd said he loves working with retailers, and he also loves his volunteer work. “It makes me feel good,” he said. “The greatest reward is another person’s success. That’s what drives me.”
Redd said he enjoyed seeing Habitat provide families “second chances.” “I love redemption stories,” Redd said. “I love being a part of helping people that want to do better.”
Redd said he looks forward to learning about the Home and its ministry so he can be a part of helping at-risk children and their mothers write stories about their redemption.
MEMORIAL GIFTS
MEMORIAL CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE PRESBYTERIAN HOME FOR CHILDREN ARE LISTED IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER WITH THE NAME OF THE DECEASED IN CAPITAL LETTERS FOLLOWED BY THE DONORS’ NAMES. RECEIVED JANUARY 2025 THROUGH APRIL 2025
AMARGUERITE ANDREWS
Zoe and Charles Foster
BMRS. KAY BANKER
Diane Beall
ROGER BISHOP
Susan and Hall Bryant
ERNEST WAYNE BONNER
Elliott and Sharron Abernethy
Susan and Hall Bryant
Buddy and June Guynes
BENJAMIN S. BOOTH
Susan Booth
MR. ADD BOYD
Louise and Pierce Boyd
MRS. ELOISE BOYD
Louise and Pierce Boyd
CDREW TODD CALDWELL
Robin and Georgia Emerson
MAMIE CARRUBA
Edward and April Miller
REV. WALTER CASH
Ernie Haynes
JUNG JA CHWE
Christy and Sallie Davidson
STEPHANIE CLEVERDON
Betty and Dick Allen
BETTY JO COWIN
Jim and Alison Gorrie
Miller and Frances Gorrie
Catherine and Roger Smith
BILL CRUMP
Susan and Hall Bryant
DSARAH HENRY DANFORTH
Catherine Dawson
JAMES (JIM) HARRY DAUGHTRY
Harriet Bibb
Tom and Sharon Hudson
Susan Lewis
John and Sue Shaver
Elliott and Sharron Abernethy
DR. CALDWELL DEBARDELEBEN
Louis and Moren Braswell
MARIAN DESLATTES
Douglas Deslattes
ECAROLYN EDWARDS
Clinton and Stacey Bennett
Shepherd of the Valley Presbyterian
Women
MRS. SIDNEY B. ELLIOTT
Sidney Thompson
FMRS. SYBIL FENDLASON
Sidney Thompson
MONA FERGUSON
Frank and Cathi Dagley
MILTON BUTCH FRANK III MD
Susan and Hall Bryant
GJACKIE GENTRY
Doug and Randi Harbin
HSUZY WADE HAMMONDS
Edward and April Miller
WILLIE MAE HEYWARD
Susan and Hall Bryant
NORMAN HIBBARD
Christy and Sallie Davidson
HELEN HICKS
Frances Gray
JRAY JOURET
Judy Mann
K
KAY KENT
Bryan Memorial Presbyterian Church
ANNA KEYSER
Joan Last
MARJORIE KILLIAN
Susan and Hall Bryant
L
SHERRY LANGLEY
Jean Moore
JENNIE LAST
Joan Last
EDWARD AND PAT LEDBETTER
Susan Booth
MROBERT FRANK MARKS JR.
Francis and Frances Erbrick
Steve Haddock
Justin and Kate Marks
Betty Kay Ridenour
Times Daily
MONA CAROYL MARSHALL
Doug and Christy Marshall
JOYCE G. MARTIN
Tallatron
MR. WILL MASON
Louise and Pierce Boyd
MRS. IDA MASON
Louise and Pierce Boyd
JOAN MARCUS MAY
Susan and Hall Bryant
JOHN MCKINNEY
Susan and Hall Bryant
MARY POLLARD MONTEL
Susan and Hall Bryant
JOHN MORRIS
Tammy Mentzer and Patrick Brown
JULIE MURPHY
Gates Murphy
NSUE NICHOLS
Tammy Mentzer and Patrick Brown
ODOROTHY ANN JULIUS OLVERA
Joanne Lighter
JOHN G. OLVERA
Joanne Lighter
WINNIE O'NEAL
Tallatron
PVIRGINIA PEARSON
Susan and Hall Bryant
ZANE M. PHILLIPS
Rebecca Harbor Jones
RICHARD AND EVELYN POSNER
Raymond and Nan Bishop
CATHERINE CROWE RAGLAND
Jane Shipper
OLGA F. RAMSEY
Carol Ramsey
ETHEL VAN DYKE REECE
Charlotte Johnson
JANETT SAVELL RIDOUT
Janis and Bruce Williams
TYLER STANLEY ROBERTS
Henry and Patricia Smith
WILLIAM ALAN "BILL" ROBISON
Henry and Patricia Smith
SJOSEPH WESLEY SEFTON
Susan and Hall Bryant
DOYLE SESSIONS, JR.
Eileen Sessions
DR. LYNN SHURLEY
Edward and April Miller
CAMILLE SOLLEY
Steve Solley
JOHN B. ST. CLAIR
Susan Booth
NATALIE STEIGERWALD
Nancy Bagley
BARBARA STRAYNAR
Leland and Marty Keller T
ANNE THOMAS
Ernie Haynes
MARY ANNE "ANNIE" THOMAS
George and Margaret Fritsma
REV. THOMAS THREADGILL
Bryant Drive Animal Hospital
VNEAL AND MARTHA VAN MARTER
Melissa Hoggatt
HERBERT VAUGHN
Susan and Hall Bryant W
FRANK WALLACE
Lacie Maynard
EARL WARD
Pat Ward
PAULA WELDON
Scott Weldon
JAMES PORTER WHITE
Susan and Hall Bryant
JIMMIE FAYE SMITH WILLIAMS
Janis and Bruce Williams
JOHN RICHARD WINZELER
John Whaley
B
HONOR GIFTS
HARRIET BIBB
Bill and Pat Lummus
RIETTA BROOM
Valerie Burrage
C
JOYCE CARLTON
Bill Scott
PATSY CHANEY
Teresa Crawford and Sam Stevens
F MARK FEAGIN
Fran and John Freeman
G
JACQUELINE GAINES
Valerie Burrage
H
MRS. BOBBIE HOWARD
Sidney Thompson
J
ROSEMARY JAGER
Jo Beth and Bob Hurt
ERIN KELLEN
Jim Carnes
JAMES EDWARD LEDBETTER AND THE JIM AND LAURIE LEDBETTER FAMILY
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THE LAST 60 YEARS: PHFC TO PUBLISH UPDATED HISTORY BOOK
In 1964, the Presbyterian Home for Children published its first history book outlining the first century of the Home’s journey of caring for Alabama’s orphaned and at-risk children. The well-circulated hardback book that is lovingly called the “Blue Book” includes stories of the Home’s first 100 years of impact on families, starting with its inception in 1868 as an orphanage after the Civil War until the mid 1960s.
The Home has been working for several years to publish an updated history book that chronicles and celebrates our programs and activities over the decades from 1960 to the 2020s. That book, co-authored by President Doug Marshall, Director of Communication and Mission Outreach Cindy Fisher and well-known writer Tom Ward, is nearing completion and will be available for purchase in the fall.
The new version builds on the Home’s rich history with continued success stories of the Home through today. Since the first book was released, the Home has made many key changes to programs and to buildings across campus to answer the evolving and growing needs of children and families. We talk about Hope Academy, now known as Ascension Leadership Academy, the new and expanded ministries that now operate on the Talladega campus such as Secure Dwellings for unhoused moms and children and Transition to Adult Living for at-risk young women.
We outline our successful programs off campus, such as Family Bridges that works to keep families together in their homes through a contract with DHR. We also highlight our growing mission outreach efforts that impact children in the impoverished Black Belt region of Alabama.
If you are interested in purchasing a copy of the new, updated history book, email Suzanne Cornett at scornett@phfc.org to get on a pre-order list. We will have an order form in the Fall Beginnings newsletter.
