Leaders at a local children’s shelter are preparing to mark a significant moment in its history.
A Friend’s House will celebrate its 20th birthday Thursday from 4-7 p.m., at 111 Henry Parkway in McDonough. The celebration will recognize donors and volunteers at the facility. Cookies and punch will be served as part of the festivities.
A Friend’s House is a nonprofit shelter for abused, neglected and abandoned kids in Henry County. The shelter’s Director of Development, Nan Jenkins, said the facility has served 2,050 children since opening its doors.
“There are currently 14 children – all teenagers,” said Jenkins. Our population is predominantly teens.
The average stay for a child at A Friend’s House last year was 104 days, but some kids have been there for more than a year. Jenkins said the shelter provides a number of services for kids who stay there.
“A Friend’s House offers a comprehensive program providing emotional, physical and educational support,” said Jenkins. “Each child has a case plan developed after arrival and each day our staff works with each child on completing their case plan. A case plan can involve goals from financial literacy to hygiene to anger management to co-dependency. On the weekends our kids have volunteers who come in to spend time with them doing various activities. They are also able to attend events in the community at churches or other places.”
During the birthday celebration, A Friend’s House will honor donors and volunteers who have supported the shelter over the years. That support, said Jenkins, is crucial to the facility’s continued operation.
“We would not be here today without our donors and volunteers,” said Jenkins. “Whether it’s a grant, a weekend meal, spending time with our kids, serving on our board, helping or attending a fundraiser, having a canned food or gift card drive, sponsoring a child for Christmas or a birthday or sending a donation, it all makes a difference.”
Jenkins said the staff at A Friend’s House have also been essential in helping A Friend’s House to meet the needs of children in crisis situations.
“We obviously could not do what we do without each and every person who has been employed at A Friend’s House,” she said. “It takes a special person to work with these children and care about them and their needs. It’s a thankless job, and someone is with our kids 24/7/365. They are appreciated, and whether or not the kids know it at the time, they have made a huge impact on many lives.”
Jenkins said the birthday milestone carries significance for her in several ways. In addition to causing her to reflect on the changes in the facility and the community over the years, she said it also reinforces her commitment to helping children in need.
“I started in my position 10 years ago, the week we celebrated our 10th year,” said Jenkins. “I was amazed then at how this place worked and the difference we made in the lives of these children. Over the years, I’ve heard story after story of the devastation that abuse, neglect and abandonment can have on a child’s life. But I’ve also seen the difference that love and support can make in a child’s life as well. And so, we will keep doing what we do. “We are not ‘happy’ that we have to be here, but we are glad we are because child abuse doesn’t stop, and there are children who need us,” she added. “Looking forward to 20 more and with the support of our community, I know we will continue our mission of serving the children of the community.”
