Non-profit - Children At Heart Ministries

Non-profit - Children At Heart Ministries

Written by Katherine Kennedy Wednesday, 07 February 2007

Organization provides family and foster care

Children at Heart Ministries strives to serve children and strengthen families in need.

“We provide a family setting for abused and neglected children,” President and CEO of the Children at Heart Foundation Jerry T. Bradley said. “We help families who are homeless or in danger of becoming homeless and who have an intense desire to be independent.”

The foundation has several organizations to help families across Texas. STARRY and Texas Baptist Children’s Home serve Williamson County. STARRY offers emergency shelter and foster care, and TBCH provides a safe haven for children and families in crisis not only in the area, but from across the state.

“We have a long history in Williamson County and are a big part of the city of Round Rock,” Bradley said. “We are a well-respected charity with economic impact on the community. Our goal is to serve children and strengthen families, which plays a major role in our community.”

Care is provided for children of all ages. A growing number of families are receiving care, as well.

“A single mother who is the victim of abuse or is divorced and is raising a family on her own can come here for help for herself and her children,” Bradley said. “We do not separate families; we bring them together and provide help for them in a family setting. Families in crisis are our fastest growing need.”

Children who are close to or have graduated from high school can also receive help.

If they are older than 18, they can live in their own apartment while learning life skills, which ranges from grocery shopping to maintaining budgets, according to Bradley.

TCBH provides a family-setting in an open community, but they also provide non-residential services to families outside of their community.

“Help is provided for families in other communities through specialized training,” Bradley said. “We help them cope with problems and prevent them from entering a crisis situation.”

STARRY has a contract with the state and Child Protective Services. They provide assistance to Williamson County residents in need and, in turn, receive government funds to operate.

“TBCH is not state funded, and relies strictly on donations and goodwill,” Miranda Bradley, communication manager, said. “Some very generous donors gave money in 2001 which built our new multi-family cottages.”

The TBCH community is made up of cottages that house a set of parents and up to eight children. Each multi-family cottages holds up to five families.

“The families are given what they need to start a home, but it is their responsibility to maintain the home up to our standards. A percent of the mother’s income is put into savings to start a nest egg so that they are prepared for living on their own,” Miranda said. “We provide a real home for children and families that is not institutionalized. We encourage room for personal growth.”

How You Can HelP Texas Baptist Children’s Home

To volunteer, call Brenda Gilbert, Volunteer Coordinator, at 255-3682.

To donate, visit the website www.childrenatheartministires.org

Children at Heart Ministries’ doors are open for visitors. Visit during regular business hours.

Texas Baptist Children’s Home, 1301 N. Mays St., Round Rock, TX 78664, 512-255-3668 • www.childrenatheartministries.org