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Frequently Asked Questions
Where do the children of CHRIS Kids come from?
The majority of children are from the greater metropolitan Atlanta
area. The children in our Keeping
Families Together Program are living with their families and
may be referred through the Department of Family and Children Services,
the Juvenile Courts or the Division of Mental Health, Developmental
Disabilities and Addictive Diseases. The children in our residential
programs are referred at the State DFCS level and may be from anywhere
in the State of Georgia, but most are from the greater metropolitan
Atlanta area. These children have suffered significant abuse, neglect
and rejection. They have bruised and battered souls. Removed from
their homes, some have lived in as many as 30 failed placements
and most are wards of the State. They are afraid, and their fear
is cloaked in anger. The adults in their lives have proven untrustworthy
and, as a result, these children have behavior that is difficult
to manage. They protect themselves by pushing people away –
until they learn new behaviors at CHRIS Kids.
What is CHRIS Kids?
CHRIS Kids is a community based non-profit organization. All of
our services are provided in homes, in schools and in neighborhoods.
In our Keeping Families Together
Program, we go out to meet with parents, grandparents, other
relatives and kids on their turf and partner with them to develop
the skills and resources they need to be effective parents, responsible
children and ultimately become self sufficient and strong. In our
residential treatment programs, CHRIS
Kids provides children, ages 6 - 17, with a real home in a neighborhood
setting. Older youth, ages 17 - 21,
live in supervised apartments. Our kids attend school, learn life
skills and receive the therapy they need to help them begin the
process of healing. Old patterns of anger and distrust are slowly
replaced through positive interactions with caring adults. The children
of CHRIS Kids are helped to get their lives on track and learn all
the things that responsible parents teach their children so they
can have a real chance to become productive members of the community.
By changing one life at a time, we strive to break the cycle of
abuse for this generation and the generations to follow..
Who funds CHRIS Kids?
People are the lifeblood of CHRIS Kids. Every year we lose more
government funding. In 2006, 35% must come from people like you
who care about helping victimized kids heal and become good citizens.
We need your help to heal bruised
and battered souls and to help these kids learn how, most positively
and effectively, to play the hand that they were dealt in life.
Every dollar matters in a very real way.
When children are given the opportunity to heal the emotional wounds
of abuse and neglect, they have the chance to achieve their full
potential. Your gift provides them
with this chance. Volunteers, mentors
and donors together with CHRIS Kids staff, play a crucial role in
reclaiming young lives, as each child is able to blossom into a
happy, secure, and responsible citizen. The positive parenting that
they see molds their perceptions, and when they are able to raise
their own children using these methods, the cycle of abuse has been
broken.
Examples of our funding include:
- State and Federal Grants
- Awards and donor designated gifts from organizations such as
the United Way
- Special events and fundraisers
- Congregations, civic organizations
- Public and private foundations
- Individuals and corporations
Where will my donation go?
Your donation will save lives. These children and families are
at a fork in the road; your donation can tip the balance and put
them on a new path – a path toward a good outcome. Contributions
may be assigned according to your preference. There is a funding
gap – a need – in every program.
Based on a value assessment of successful outcomes in each of the
five CHRIS Kids programs, the costs
of these programs and a lifetime savings determined through a study
at Vanderbilt University of $2 million for every child diverted
from a life of crime or destitution, CHRIS Kids demonstrates a return
of $150 per year/per child for every single dollar that is invested.
Not only does your donation save lives, it is a good investment!
Click
here to make a much needed donation.
What is a CHRIS Kids Group Home Like?
The Group Homes provide hope and
healing for abused and neglected children with severe problems,
ages 6-17. While living in a CHRIS Kids home located in residential
neighborhoods throughout Atlanta, children receive intensive therapy,
counseling and support while attending public schools and participating
in extracurricular activities. The family-like setting helps the
children adapt to life in a “normal” family, thereby
increasing their chances of living successfully with a parent, an
adopted, foster or extended family upon their graduation from CHRIS
Kids.
What happens to older children?
At age 17, youth in the State system may be referred to the Independent
Living Program (ILP). Homeless youth may come to the Rainbow
Program component of ILP which is especially designed to assist
runaway and homeless sexual minority youth. In ILP, youth live in
supervised apartments and receive life skills training in the areas
of finance, employment, household management, social adjustment
and responsible citizenship. Emphasis is on completing educational
goals and job skills training.
What kinds of community services does
CHRIS Kids offer?
The CHRIS Keeping Families Together
Prevention and Reunification Programs offer children and families
a unique, flexible treatment and support partnership in their own
homes, schools and communities. Identifying and developing strengths,
resources and natural support systems create positive family relationships
and promotes self-sufficiency. The Behavior Aide Program provides
one-on-one support from trained "special friends" to children
having extreme difficulties so that they can learn responsible behavior
and develop self-esteem. Camp CHRIS is a nine week summer day camp
for children with emotional and related behavioral problems that
helps children succeed and enables their parents to maintain employment
knowing their children are supervised and safe over the summer months.
How can I volunteer?
CHRIS Kids provides many opportunities for groups and individuals
to volunteer, including:
- Mentoring
- Home renovation work days
- Tutoring
- Holiday and birthday celebrations
- “Adopt-a-home” or a family
- Life skills coaching
- Office assistance
- Special events committees
Call Scot Fincher, at 404-564-3405 or scot.fincher@chriskids.org
or go to the Contact Us page.
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