Thornwell 2022 Annual Impact Report

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– Current A.R.C. Program Resident, 17-year-old male

“Thornwell gives you

when you have nowhere

place nowhere to go.”

Thornwell Executive Leadership

Rev. Myron W. Wilkins

President and CEO

864-938-2733 | mwilkins@thornwell.org

Ms. Lindy Scott

Executive Vice President

864.938.2685 | lscott@thornwell.org

Mr. Norman Dover

Vice President for Educational Services

864.938.2794 | ndover@thornwell.org

Mr. Gregory W. Haselden, CPA, CGMA

Vice President for Finance and CFO

864.938.2722 | ghaselden@thornwell.org

Ms. Morgan Ednie

Vice President for Strategic Impact

864.923.5998 | mednie@thornwell.org

Thornwell Board of Trustees

FLORIDA

Mr. Clyde M. Brumfield

Mrs. Sylvia Collins

Mr. Tom Free

The Rev. Don Johnson

The Rev. Erika Rembert Smith

GEORGIA

Mrs. Ann Booker

Mr. Jim Conner

Mrs. Christine Crutchfield

Rev. Rick Douylliez

Mr. Gordon Lee Hight II

Mrs. Mary Martin

Mrs. Jean P. McKnight

Mr. Steven L. Roberts

NORTH CAROLINA

Mrs. Ursula Robinson

SOUTH CAROLINA

Mr. Julius J. Anderson

Mrs. Elizabeth A. Bagwell

Ms. Kay Cleveland

Mr. Michael J. Cunningham

The Rev. Dr. Charles Elliott

Mrs. Tamra Sasser Erde

Ms. Holly Furr

Mr. M. Craig Garner, Jr.

Mrs. Harriet D. Ike

Mrs. Susan W. Malloy

Mrs. Dorianne Norwood

The Rev. Lawrence Peebles

Mr. Maurice A. Purcell

Dr. Flury G. Wilson

TRUSTEES EMERITI

Mr. Thomas Adams

Mr. John S. Anderson

The Rev. Dr. Samuel M. Cooper, IV

Mrs. Mary Wain Ellison

Mr. Robert K. Folks

The Rev. Carnell Hampton

The Rev. Dr. John W. Lown

Brigadier General (Ret.) Hugh McLaurin III

The Rev. Dr. Robert D. Taylor

Friends,

As we present Thornwell’s annual Impact Report for 2022, I am so thankful to God for all that we have collectively accomplished. From the licensing of new foster homes across South Carolina that provide a safe place for hurting children to heal, to our array of in-home therapeutic support for families throughout our Tri-State footprint, Thornwell continues to establish itself as an industry leader in providing high-quality programs and services to children and families in need.

It was about a year ago that God, through the spiritual discernment of Thornwell’s Board of Trustees, honored me with the glorious call to become part of the Thornwell family. As the President of Thornwell, I remain energized and enthusiastic about the mission of Thornwell.

One of the great privileges I enjoy in my role as Thornwell’s 10th President is that my wife, Anna, and I get to live on Thornwell’s beautiful and historic main campus located in Clinton, South Carolina. From the unique stone buildings of our main campus to the beauty of our 340-acre agricultural enterprise, LushAcres Farm, our Clinton Headquarters is an amazing place. But beyond the aesthetics, one of our greatest joys in living on campus is that we get to experience life and community with our dedicated staff and the children and families we are privileged to love, nurture

and support in their time of need. As I travel outside of campus to the communities we’re blessed to serve across Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina, I am humbled that this great ministry founded 148 years ago is growing, thriving, and reaching those who need us most. We are an active partner in the lifetransforming work God is doing every day through Thornwell. What a blessing!

As I write this letter, I observe a family that has just arrived for a visit to our campus. As they approached our Child and Family Ministries Building, one of our amazing staff was there to greet them. I do not know the crisis they are experiencing that has led them to seek us out at this moment, but I am confident that this family will receive both help and hope from our very capable Care Services team. I am confident that our team will introduce this family to an array of services offered through Thornwell’s extensive continuum of care while also facilitating points of connection that will support them in their ongoing journey toward healing and restoration. I pray they feel comfort and care made possible because people like you choose to love them alongside us.

As you read the pages of our 2022 Annual Impact Report, I hope you will be inspired by Thornwell’s amazing accomplishments over the past year. As we celebrate the positive outcomes of 2022 and look forward to an even more significant impact in 2023, I thank you for your continued prayers, partnership, and financial support for Thornwell. Families across South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida need us now more than ever. Together, we are making a difference!

For all God’s Children and Families,

Reverend Myron W. Wilkins President/CEO

Who We Are

Founded in 1875, Thornwell is a diverse nonprofit ministry across Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina committed to the most innovative and effective solutions to heal, strengthen, and empower children and families. Our success is measured by children and families made strong, and our impact is a testament to the strength of a community when we come together to build tomorrow’s families.

Mission

Thornwell serves to prevent child abuse and neglect, build up and reunite families, and support healthy communities in the name of Jesus Christ.

Vision

Thornwell believes in empowered communities in which all people can experience both life and love in abundance.

WHERE WE ARE

Our unique Continuum of Care allows us to come alongside children and families as an empowering partner to nurture, encourage, enrich, and advocate for them on their journey.

Care Services

Foster Care – Providing children in need with safe homes to support trauma recovery and healing while their families cope with crises. We also license, recruit, and support foster families in the Upstate, Midlands, and Pee Dee areas of South Carolina.

A.R.C. Residential Care – The only attachment-based residential care program in the Southeastern U.S. dedicated to the support of children placed by State agencies (such as the Department of Social Services), as well as children with loving parents and caregivers who are struggling to deal with the long-term impact of their child’s early experiences of abuse and neglect and those experiencing adoption-related issues.

Transitional Living Services – A program designed to help young adults ages 18-23 learn independent living skills necessary to balance life’s responsibilities through vocational and educational support, financial management skills, communitybuilding support, emotional support, and supervision.

Family Services

Building Families – In-home counseling for children ages 3-17 and their families. Available in select cities across Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina, our program allows families to learn together, express themselves, and build a foundation for a strong and stable environment that produces strong and stable children and adults.

Strengthening Families – A 14-week group program for Laurens County, SC families offering education, enrichment,

and community to help them strengthen their bond, improve family relationships, and equip parents and caregivers with skills needed to feel more confident parenting their children.

Academic Services

Child Development Center – An educational childcare program for newborns through 4k that emphasizes growth in all developmental areas—social, emotional, physical, cognitive (intellectual), and spiritual—as a holistic, interrelated process.

Learning Center – A center dedicated to providing academic support services for resident children – including remedial services in reading and math – and complete with a computer center, a fully stocked library, and passionate tutors.

Momentum Summer Camp – A powerpacked day camp for kids ages 5-12 that provides an opportunity for children to grow academically during the summer months while also having fun and enjoying all that it means to create sweet summer memories.

Read Right – A unique reading intervention program that creates excellent readers by encouraging them to derive meaning from the text they are reading on their own instead of focusing solely on phonics.

- Tasha, Thornwell Alumna

“Seeing the loving, dedicated people on staff today signifies to me that the mission continues to stay on point. That is incredibly special.”

Fiscal Responsibility & Accountability

In 2022, 76% of every dollar went to programs serving children and families.

Revenue by Type Private Funding by Type

77.77% PRIVATE FUNDING

Programmatic Efficiency

76% PROGRAMS

22.23% FEE FOR SERVICE

13% FUNDRAISING

11% ADMINISTRATION

• Thornwell earned the the Platinum Seal of Transparency with Candid - the highest rating

• We’re equally honored to be a “Four Star Charity” by Charity Navigator, earning a score of 95 out of 100

• Thornwell is fully nationally accredited by the Council on Accreditation (COA)

59.53% CONTRIBUTIONS

29.75% INVESTMENTS

3.56% TRUST INCOME

7.16% OTHER

Demographics

Ages Served

“When I come back, I truly feel like I’m home. I lived powerful years here at Thornwell.”

– Joy, Thornwell Alumna

• Children in Thornwell’s A.R.C. residential program set goals for a great new year!

• Our “Grab ‘n Go” summer meals program served its 150,000th meal to those experiencing food insecurity in our community.

• Rev. Myron W. Wilkins is announced as Thornwell’s Tenth President.

• 4k students in our Child Development Center were excited to go back to school and learn!

• Volunteers spent their spring break at Thornwell helping our farm team plant Christmas trees! JULY

• The Read Right Center opened on Thornwell’s campus thanks to a generous gift from the Cornelson family.

THANK YOU

• Myron and Anna Wilkins began as President and First Lady of Thornwell.

• We celebrated the arrival of Spring at the LushAcres Farm Strawberry Festival.

• We kicked off Foster Care Awareness month by celebrating foster parents, including those in our first Foster Care Village home!

• We welcomed more than 200 alumni and their families back “home” for the Alumni Grand Rally!

• The 2nd annual Fall Festival and Corn Maze welcomed more than 1,800 people to LushAcres Farm.

• The Lighthouse Ball in Hilton Head, SC raised thousands in support of children and families.

• Families celebrated their graduation from the Strengthening Families fall program.

OCTOBER NOVEMBER DECEMBER

for lighting the way to powerful life change in 2022!

Care Services

Because you provide pathways for children to feel safe and loved, we can meet the holistic needs of children, teens, and young adults who have experienced trauma and offer them a full spectrum of care services dedicated to their long-term healing.

A.R.C. Residential Care

17-year-old Austin came to Thornwell scared, shy, and unsure of his future. His home life had been unstable and chaotic. Your loving support provided him with a safe, caring home in which to heal! He was able to rewrite his story through innovative, personalized therapy and academic support. For the first time in his life, he felt supported by positive role models. With time he even became a role model for others. Today, Austin continues to find hope and healing thanks to you!

“He was once without a voice and has grown into being the voice for others. He got what he needed when he came here. I am so proud of his growth.”

– Ken Haywald A.R.C. Residential Consultant

• 41 youth who’ve experienced trauma were provided with safe and loving homes to grow and heal.

• 70 children and family members are closer to healing thanks to 706 counseling sessions ranging from individual and family therapy to equine and art therapy!

Transitional Living

• 15 young adults benefitted from campus housing, vocational and educational support, and supervision.

• These young adults are now better navigating life’s challenges thanks to their access to and participation in independent living courses!

• 11 independent living skills classes supported the healthy and positive transition to adulthood.

Foster Care

Andrew and Andrea Huerta became foster parents in 2018. They originally planned to foster young children, so Andrea was surprised when she felt her heart pulled towards serving pregnant and parenting teens. One night, her Family Specialist called about a pregnant Spanishspeaking teenager needing a stable, loving home. Andrea knew she could meet the need. The last few months have not been without challenges, but thanks to your remarkable generosity, Andrea was able to be with the young mom, praying with her and encouraging her as she delivered a beautiful baby boy. Today, the young mom is thriving with the Huertas and navigating this next season with great hope for the future!

• 91 children found support in loving foster homes, including 14 teens.

• 72 licensed foster homes were uplifted through 24/7 support.

• 92.2% retention rate for Thornwell foster families who are serving children and teens.

• 15% increase in foster families choosing to be licensed through Thornwell.

• 36 children were positively reunified with either a parent or family member.

• The first foster care village home opened on Thornwell’s campus focused on welcoming teens and keeping sibling groups together.

“After five years of fostering, there’s such joy in being able to keep a mom and a baby together!”

- Andrea Huerta Thornwell Foster Mom

Family Services

Because you believe in strong, thriving families, we can offer highly personalized family services and programs that equip and empower parents to build stable families and experience continual growth through love and support.

• 1,802 children and family members were reached across Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina through the Building Families program.

• 86% graduation rate for participants in the Building Families program who are now better navigating life’s challenges as a family unit.

Building Families

When Josiah and Mary found Building Families, their seven-year-old son Kingston had already been suspended from school twice. He constantly fought with his siblings and continued to ignore their rules and requests at home.

Their Family Specialist helped them focus on rebuilding relationships within their home through a strengths-based approach. It wasn’t an overnight fix, but with time, practice, and patience, the family is seeing great progress! Because you believe in thriving families, Josiah and Mary now know that they have the tools they need to help Kingston thrive!

• 1,096 Home-based counseling sessions met families in their own familiar environment.

• 410 telehealth counseling sessions ensured families outside coverage regions could still access care.

• 94% increase in families supported in aftercare services dedicated to maintaining skills and supporting healthy relationships.

• 22.5% increase in annual program participation, with more families taking positive steps toward better communication!

“It’s just clicking for him now –it’s amazing! We’re grateful!”

- Josiah Building Families Participant

Strengthening Families

As a recent Strengthening Families graduate, Frances Suber knows that she and her six-year-old grandson, AJ, are going to be okay! In the program, they learned how to listen more, yell less and break a generational cycle of parenting skills that were doing more harm than good. AJ now feels heard and Frances is feeling less overwhelmed. Thanks to your amazing support, they’ve learned to embrace new opportunities to understand each other’s needs!

• 65 family members were served in two 14week cycles of classes and community building focused on strengthening communication and close bonds.

• 20 family members were served in booster sessions designed to keep skills current and bolster healthy relationships.

• 100% graduation rate for the fall 2022 cycle participants who are now equipped with skills to support healthy communication and bonding.

“Thornwell is a place of friendship, a place of love, and a place of kindness.”

- Frances Suber Strengthening Families Graduate

Academic Services

Because you provide the keys to unlocking healthy futures for children, we can provide essential education support through our various academic services to help close distinct learning gaps and personalize the learning experience.

Read Right

9-year-old Daria hated reading. She’d wipe tears away when peers would snicker and laugh as she tried reading aloud. As a result, her reading comprehension test scores fell far behind. She came to Thornwell’s Read Right program reading at a 1st-grade level. Fortunately, because you put your support and trust in this amazing reading empowerment program, Daria is learning that reading can be fun! After just over a year in the program, Daria’s test scores have dramatically improved! She’s now reading on level for her age, and she’s no longer ashamed to read aloud in class!

In 12 months, The STAR assessments for participating students showed:

11.75%

An average national percentile rank gain of An average grade equivalent gain of 2 school years.

After 6 to 8 weeks of Read Right Summer tutoring, the Standardized Test for the Assessment of Reading (STAR) for participating students showed:

• An average grade equivalent gain of an entire school year

• An average national percentile rank gain of 8.1%

The MAP (Measure of Academic Progress) showed an average point gain of 9.5.

Note: For middle and high school students nationwide, the MAP mean gain for an entire year is less than 4 points.

Child Development Center

When Angel’s son, Jace, was born, finding high-quality, educational childcare seemed like a luxury that was just out of reach. As a single mom, Angel needed to work full-time to make ends meet. Fortunately, your generous support of Thornwell’s Child Development Center opened the door for Jace to learn, grow and flourish. Angel feels confident in Jace’s care, knowing he’s learning skills that will have him ready for kindergarten.

Child Development Center

• 198 children ages 6 weeks to 4k received high-quality educational care helping them become kindergarten ready.

• 4k students experienced a 31.8% growth in literacy skills during the Fall 2022 semester!

Learning Center

• 42 students were equipped with essential education support through individualized afterschool tutoring.

Momentum Summer Camp

• 23 campers experienced an average grade-equivalent growth of one year in reading and half a year in math in just two months of educational summer fun!

“Every day, Jace comes home with a big smile telling me stories of his friends and how much he loves his teachers. I never imagined the impact Thornwell would make on our lives. He loves school so much!”

– Angel CDC Parent

Supporting Healthy Communities

Because you join us in our mission to support healthy communities in the name of Jesus Christ, we can provide healthy food to children and families experiencing food insecurity in our community, foster greater knowledge of health and wellness, and provide access to opportunities that fuel families’ minds, bodies, and spirits.

“I am most proud that we were able to highlight the ability of Thornwell’s many different departments, donors, and volunteers to come together as one! The farm was able to introduce two new crops - strawberries and collards, both of which were very successful. We saw the successful completion of the overlook deck, concession building, multiple shade structures, and Livestock Experience. We had 13 healthy calves born from the first cows to set foot on the property in over a decade! We were able to do all these things while simultaneously planning a great 2nd annual fall festival which saw over 400% growth from the previous year!”

- Jacob Koch Director of LushAcres Farm

• 3195 people attended the Strawberry Festival and Fall Festival and Corn Maze in 2022.

• 318 school field trip visitors learned about the importance of agriculture and its impact on healthy living.

• 151 volunteers devoted 623 hours of work to support farm efforts that benefit Thornwell’s continuum of care.

• 1000 pounds of produce were donated by LushAcres Farm to local food banks and the City Fuel Station at the Clinton YMCA to fight food insecurity.

• Free walking trails and playgrounds opened to the public to promote hearthealthy and family-friendly activity.

LushAcres Farm

Supporting Healthy Communities

Thornwell is more committed than ever to supporting our surrounding community.

Initially started as a response to the pandemic in 2020, the Grab-N-Go meals program, in partnership with the US Department of Agriculture continues today as a means to support children dealing with food insecurity across Laurens County, South Carolina. This vital program helps ease caregivers’ burdens by providing free, healthy breakfast and lunch options and ensures children stay nourished and healthy during the summer months.

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• 14,184 Breakfasts Served

• 14,251 Lunches Served

Thornwell’s Child Nutrition team served its 150,000th meal this past summer since the program began in 2020! Kids received 28,435 healthy meals this summer!

• 28,435 Total Meals Served in 2022

• 168,489 Total Meals Served Since 2020

“We are blessed to have this opportunity to contribute to the wellbeing of children who live in our community thanks to this wonderful partnership with the USDA and the support of many who want to see families thrive!”

Alice James Director of Child Nutrition

THANK YOU, VOLUNTEERS!

From face painting at one of our festivals to cleaning campus cottages, 581 individuals selflessly gave 2,261 hours of their time to help bring joy and hope to children and families served by Thornwell in 2022!

Volunteers are the embodiment of selflessness and compassion by giving back to their community with no expectation of reward or recognition.

Volunteers, your efforts have helped countless children in need. You continue to inspire others with your dedication and service!

- Tasha, Thornwell Alumna

“Because of Thornwell, I survived a lot longer than I thought I would. Thornwell put Jesus in my heart. I know that when I come back here, this is my safe place. It’s my haven because I know I’m loved.”