Bringing our children home Truett Baptist Childrens Home set to open
By Frank Bradley Sentinel writer

Drugs, substance abuse, including Methamphetamines and prescription drugs are cited as the cause of much of the domestic violence and child abuse in western North Carolina. A cause requiring children to be taken from their homes by the state for their own safety and protection.

In Clay, Cherokee and Graham counties the need for foster homes have grown in the past five years. There are simply not enough foster homes to care for our children who are dependent and neglected, according to county social services directors. As a result, many of our children have had to be sent away to homes in far away places across the state. Of the three counties, there are a combined total of 117 children in foster care with 45 living outside of their own communities.

One solution was to establish a group home for some of these children within our three-county area. As a result of local initiative within the three counties, the Truett Baptist Association has stepped forward and purchased a home in the Shooting Creek section of Clay County to help alleviate this condition.

On Saturday, the home held an open house with about 300 in attendance, giving community members an opportunity to take a look at the new facility and to be thanked for their financial and material support..

The home was initially built as an adult facility three years ago. The Truett Baptist Associan arranged for a lease with an option to purchase the building and has spent the last couple of months getting everything set up to accommodate children. Mitchell Shields, who is overseeing the project, said there are five of the bedrooms assigned for children. Three bedrooms to hold one child each and two bedrooms that can house two children each. There are also two bedrooms which will be occupied by staff. Two couples who act as cottage parents on a rotating basis every two weeks. They will also perform the duties as mini-van drivers, operating transportation to take the children to school, medical and other appointments.

Currently, the home has no children; however it is in the process of checking on some of the children who have been placed in homes outside the area for possible relocation here. Since the home will serve children from the ages of six to 18 years of age, both boys and girls, the administra- tion did not want to suddenly jerk these children out of schools they happen to be attending.

They indicated, however, that they were in the process of evaluating which children could be brought back to the area.

I talked to Lisa Davis, Director of Cherokee County's Department of Social Services, and she told me that Cherokee County had seen a dramatic increase in children who needed foster care a couple of years ago.

"It has leveled off in the last two years," she said. "We currently have about 70 kids in the county in foster care. We are fortunate to have 21 foster homes in the county. The majority have children who are six and under."

Davis said it is appealing that the group home will be here. "They've talked about it for years," she said. "To actually see it happening is exciting. It will allow us to work more closely with the children and their parents. It's really easier for everyone, the child, family and us."

Debbie Mauney, Director of Social Services in Clay County, said there are currently 32 children in foster care. She said social services tries hard to keep siblings together. When children have to be taken out of a home, they first try to place them with a relative, then with a foster family. The group foster home would be the next step and is needed, especially for children over the age of six.

One of the largest contributors to the home is Mr. and Mrs. Basel Owens, owners of Eller & Owens Furniture with stores in Murphy, Hayesville and Franklin. Much of the furniture in the home has been provided by them.

Mrs. Owens said she is happy to have a chance to do something to make a difference in a kid's life.

"My mother ande father were over the Church of God Children's Home in Cleveland, Tennessee," she told me. They instilled a desire in me to help children."

Basel Owens said he feels it is wonderful to have this type of ministry in this area.

Mitchell Shields said not only has the home received contributions from the 61 churches of the Truett Baptist Association in the three counties, but other denominations, local businesses and individuals have contributed.

"We can still use more financial support," Shields said.

Donations may be made to the Truett Baptist Association at 2235 NC Hwy. 141, Marble, NC 28905 and directed to the attention of the Rev. Mitchell Shields. Or you may call him at (828) 837-5401.

No gift is too big or too small, and any amount will make a difference, their brochure reads. "Any investment in the life of a child offers a guaranteed return--it's the best investment there is."

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