This year, we wanted to share a sweet Christmas picture from a resident in our young boys cottage. Ryan’s drawing shows the hope of home this holiday season.
The hope of home this Christmas
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Loving in the in between (Story 45 of 50)
Amidst the heartache of grief and loss in the foster care system, our staff at Encourage has had the opportunity to witness the joy of adoption with many families throughout the last year. In fact, 12 children will finalize adoptions this year.
Thank you from Katie (Story 44 of 50)
Katie needed to feel safe. She needed to feel loved. Thanks to donors like you, Katie found the support, therapy and love she needed at CCHO. She was baptized during her time at CCHO, and today she lives with a new foster family. Katie wanted to say “thank you” for all you’ve done for her!
All-star players awarded for trustworthiness
The countdown to the big game has begun. The annual Ohio State-Michigan rivalry is fierce. It’s an exciting time for players and fans. We don’t have a formal football team on our residential campus so you won’t see a young teen run the ball for a 50-yard touchdown. Quarterback sacks will be limited to video-game time earned through positive behavior.
Challenging and rewarding (Story 43 of 50)
I was told that this was a place where I would feel loved not just by the staff, but by God. Individual therapy sessions, group therapy, wish circles, rules to be followed (and broken at times), boundaries to be aware of, sharing a cottage with eight teenagers. Some days — many days — it was more than I could handle.
Life is cool in the pool
CCHO has had a swimming pool on our campus for 23 years. In addition to traditional therapeutic treatment, physical recreation is an essential part of our residential center. After two decades of use and weather impact, the concrete pad surrounding the pool began showing several cracked areas. For safety reasons, this project needed our attention.
Tools for today, hope for tomorrow (Story 42 of 50)
In story #42 of our 50 Stories for 50 Years of Ministry series, Kristina Fryson (MSW, LSW, CTT) shows the powerful difference that effective trauma treatment can make in someone’s life.
Barn princess
Each horse at One Heart Stables brings a unique personality to their role in equine therapy as they serve the children in our residential program as well as adults and children in the general public through Encompass Christian Counseling.
Friendly rivalry and connection builder
On October 30, our children’s residential center (CRC) held its fourth annual fall decorating contest. The cottage competition has grown beyond mere decorations to entire themed productions complete with costumes, performances and edible treats.
The unexpected story God writes (Story 41 of 50)
Not every season and every case are created equal, but if given the opportunity to build a bridge with bio families, I encourage you to take the first step. It has drawn a map straight to our hearts about forgiveness, redemption and purpose in the pain.
Celebrating our amazing volunteers
On October 17, 2019, Christian Children’s Home of Ohio hosted our first volunteer appreciation reception. It was a great time of fellowship, fun and reflection where CCHO recognized the hard work, dedication and love of our amazing volunteers.
He’d been there all along (Story 40 of 50)
I entered foster care at age four. By the time I was 15, I already had 13 homes including a failed adoption under my belt. Bouncing from home to home, I was subjected to physical and sexual abuse by several abusers. When I was 15, I finally found the courage to tell someone, and doing so unleashed a massive amount of fear and trauma that I’d been holding in for years.
A loyal friend
One Heart Stables is home to a select group of horses that offer clients struggling with depression, low self-esteem or anxiety the opportunity to engage in authentic connection.
Planting, watering, growing and blooming (Story 39 of 50)
CCHO has been a part of my life for at least 20 years. During that time, God has filled this relationship with a combination of wonder, trial, excitement and purpose.
The transformative path (Story 38 of 50)
Since leaving CCHO, I graduated high school and then served four years in the Marines. I started a family and transitioned into a new career. I became an electrician, but I didn’t stop there.
Compelled by extravagant love (Story 37 of 50)
The man against whom this girl testified and had to face had gone free. Naturally, this invoked some pretty intense behaviors such as self-harm and running away, but guess who was there with her walking down the road, asking to stay with her and showing her unconditional love all the same. Rebekah!
Help open Ryan’s eyes to a hopeful future
Let me tell you more about Ryan and how you can help him to see his life as a gift from his loving Creator.
The Ziegler Family (Story 36 of 50)
James 1:27 calls God’s people to meet the needs of children living as orphans. Brian and Julie Ziegler answered that call by joining the Encourage Foster Care network. Learn more about their story and how Encourage equips them with the support and resources they need as foster and adoptive parents.
Blessings from Meadow View (Story 35 of 50)
As a first-time VBS director this year for Meadow View Church of Christ, I was asked to choose a mission to support with our VBS donations. My associate minister suggested that I look into CCHO as a choice and was told our church may also be planning a mission trip there at the end of the summer.
Grateful for a great staff (Story 34 of 50)
How do you show appreciation to staff who consistently fight for the highest good of others? Who walk alongside those in pain, laughing with some, groaning with others, but connecting through it all? Who help others experience their worth in Christ? These are difficult questions to answer because it is impossible to accurately depict how much we – how much I – appreciate our staff.
There’s more to life than surviving (Story 33 of 50)
As an intensive trauma therapist in the Thrive Trauma Recovery program at Encompass Christian Counseling, it’s standard to work with clients for a week or two and then wish them well on their recovery journey as they return to ongoing mental health services. Although all clients have a special story and are memorable, some clients’ stories stick with you long after their treatment in the program has ended.
VBS programs win MVP award (Story 32 of 50)
We are so grateful for the collection of caring churches that have supported CCHO and our family of ministries over the past five decades. Without the fundraising dollars they’ve contributed, the hours upon hours of volunteer help they’ve provided, the steady stream of prayers they’ve lifted on our behalf, and all the other ways they have been involved, there would be countless children, adults and families who were never given an opportunity to find hope and healing on the other side of their pain.
Small and mighty
Caramel is the smallest therapy horse in the barn. He is often described as “small but mighty” because he is brave, energetic, and enjoys going for long trail rides.
Proud to be a BBB accredited charity
CCHO and our family of ministries have recently achieved Charity Accreditation with the Better Business Bureau (BBB). This significant achievement affirms that we are committed to integrity and best practices as a nonprofit organization.
Back to school
It’s back-to-school time! We’re looking forward to kicking off the new school year for the youth in our residential center. In the early days of CCHO, student-age residents attended public school locally. In more recent years, we have provided classrooms with licensed teachers right here on our Wooster campus.
25 years of drives, chips and putts (Story 31 of 50)
What started in 1994 as a small fundraiser for CCHO in our 25th year of ministry has now become an annual event, 25 years later, that allows our family of ministries to continue providing services and support for children, adults and families in need.
Supportive golf swings (Story 30 of 50)
On Monday, August 26 at 8:00 in the morning, 15 teams will tee off for the first of 36 holes at our Caring4Kids Golf Outing. As we head into the final months of our year-long 50th anniversary celebration, it’s only fitting that this marks the 25th edition of our annual golf outing.
Riding high with Sons of God (Story 29 of 50)
In 1981, Gary Shire was given a vision from God that became Sons of God Motorcycle Club Ministry. Since our humble beginnings in Mansfield, Ohio, the SOGMC has grown across the United States and Canada, with multiple chapters spread throughout 25 states and Canada.
Trust, treatment, transformation (Story 28 of 50)
I believe that God directed the county to choose CCHO because it was what my son needed to help him become the man God created him to be. He learned that love is unconditional and that moms can be trusted.
Encourage a generation
Without the encouragement from caring CCHO staff, Brent and Mia may not have gotten baptized. Both of these young residents carried many years of severe abuse and trauma with them when they came to our campus last year.
Cool cars and warm hearts (Story 27 of 50)
During the early months of 2010, the Mid-Ohio Corvette Club (MOCC) met to discuss our largest endeavor of the year. We had always chosen our yearly fundraiser on the basis of the recipient’s overall need. After learning that Christian Children’s Home of Ohio (CCHO) was focused on nurturing young girls and boys who may never have received warmth from a home environment otherwise, we were excited to pick CCHO.
The ultimate storyteller (Story 26 of 50)
On July 11, 1997, a little girl was born to a single mom. That young mom was a former CCHO resident. Due to many circumstances, this baby came to live with my wife Susan and me only a few weeks after being born.
Connect 2 Kids Individual
Connect 2 Kids is growing! We asked Emily Frazier, LISW-S, Clinical Director of our Children’s Residential Center to share more about this volunteer program and the new way to give of your time and talents.
Baptism joy (Story 25 of 50)
That was the first time I saw Brent cry. He regretted that he would leave CCHO without being baptized. Then his peer spoke up, “That’s no problem. You’ll just get baptized with me!”
Help rewrite Emily’s story
Despite her history of abuse and rejection, Emily is a friendly 10-year-old girl who does well in school and enjoys drawing, dancing and painting her nails. Sadly, years of traumatic experiences have made it extremely difficult for Emily to form meaningful relationships with other children her age. Without effective therapy to address her PTSD and other symptoms, she may always struggle relationally.
Working all things for good (Story 24 of 50)
I’d like to take you on a trip back to 2008. I had just earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Malone College and was applying for nursing jobs close to home. One Sunday morning, Gary Porter, CCHO’s longtime Executive Director, spoke at my church about the mission, growth and needs of Christian Children’s Home of Ohio (CCHO). I had never heard of CCHO but I felt a tugging in my spirit that day.
Sensitive therapist
We’ve come to believe that people will pick the horse they truly need, and in turn our clients are able to engage in an honest, non-judgmental relationship with their horse.
Answering a community calling (Story 23 of 50)
Our group from Fairlawn Mennonite Church in Apple Creek, Ohio has been regularly volunteering with CCHO since June 2018. We have been coming one or two Saturdays each month to spend time playing with the kids and sharing devotions and prayer with them. We love supporting CCHO because we are able to see the growth in the kids from month to month, and we know they are seeing Christ in the work of the staff and volunteers.
Getting close enough to listen (Story 22 of 50)
Once upon a time…. Probably the most famous opening line of a story.
CCHO: The Next 50 Years (Story 21 of 50)
Several CCHO employees share their vision for what’s ahead for our family of ministries and what “More” might look like over the next 50 years.
How Motley Lou became Pastor Louie (Story 20 of 50)
Late in my sophomore year I learned that my foster parents were moving to Florida. As a I ward of the state, I would not be moving with them. Toward the end of that school year, my caseworker told me, “If we do not find some place for you soon, we will have to place you in a juvenile correction facility.” I had done nothing to deserve being placed in a correctional facility. I was five-foot nothing tall, weighed 87 pounds, and the thought of being placed in a correctional facility terrified me.
The Kandel Family (Story 19 of 50)
When Julie Kandel and her husband Ron began their foster and adoption journey in 1991, they couldn’t have imagined they would one day have 18 children (including three biological daughters). Theirs is an incredible story of answering God’s call for their lives and their family, of trusting during each step of the process, and of persevering through incredible tragedy to provide a safe haven for young children in need of a loving home.
A guided imagery narrative (Story 18 of 50)
When new residents arrive at CCHO, our therapy team writes a guided imagery narrative from the perspective of the child. These narratives are designed to take the reader on a journey through each child’s past while describing their fears, abuse and trauma in detail. Listening to the guided imagery helps CCHO’s residential staff fully understand what the child has been through so they can approach negative behaviors with empathy and compassion.
A new day for Ashley (Story 17 of 50)
It is an honor to walk alongside people like Ashley, who has found health and healing for herself and her family during her time as an Encompass Christian Counseling client.
Fifty years in one big weekend (Story 16 of 50)
What a way to commemorate five decades of ministry! More than 1500 people attended our three-day celebration on June 7-9, a weekend-long series of events designed to look back on all the ways God has blessed CCHO through 50 years of ministry while looking ahead in anticipation of what may be next.
The greatest Great Grill Off yet
Our jam-packed 50th Anniversary Weekend concluded with the seventh annual Great Grill Off on our Wooster campus. This fun family event has quickly become the place to be in Wayne County on the second Sunday in June, and this year people came in record numbers!
A powerful night, a powerful God
How do you pack five decades of life-changing ministry into one night of celebration? That’s exactly what happened on Saturday, June 8 as more than 200 people gathered at the Shisler Conference Center in Wooster to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Christian Children’s Home of Ohio (CCHO) and our family of ministries.
A ceremonial start to our 50th Anniversary Weekend
Our weekend-long 50th Anniversary Celebration kicked off on Friday, June 7 with the official ribbon cutting for our new Children’s Leadership & Recreation Center (CLRC). Consisting of a middle school-sized gymnasium, commercial kitchen, cafeteria, classrooms and therapy spaces, the CLRC on our Wooster campus was made possible by generous Promise Project donors.
Partners in legacy (Story 15 of 50)
As we prepare to gather for our 50th celebration this weekend, we are especially grateful for our community partners who support our mission. They play an important role in helping individuals and families find healing throughout our family of ministries.
Our logo, then and now (Story 14 of 50)
A lot changes in one decade, let alone five. The world is fundamentally different today in so many ways than it was when CCHO started in a single farmhouse in 1969.
Leading with kindness (Story 13 of 50)
Helping meet the needs of our residential youth takes a lot of hands and partners. We are especially grateful for the kindness of the Wayne County Sheriff’s Office. There are good days and growing days in our children’s residential center. With the often unpredictable behavior of youth with trauma, there are times when the sheriff’s office makes frequent visits to campus.
Memories from our second resident (Story 12 of 50)
I came to CCHO in August 1971 and lived there until I graduated [high school] in June 1975. I was the second resident in the program and still go back often just to visit. I feel that CCHO’s work then and now was and is very helpful to so many. My memories are numerous but here are a few.
Fill the Gap
At our 2017 Heart for the Home Celebration, Brandon took the stage with a performance about fatherhood. Here’s a clip from that night, and be sure to join us on June 8 for Brandon’s next performance. You won’t want to miss it!
See the possibility (Story 11 of 50)
When you hear people talk about foster care and adoption, you often hear about a broken system, damaged children and a whole litany of all the challenges, difficulties and reasons to stay away rather than get involved. At Encourage we see the heartache our foster parents experience when they grieve the loss of separation from a foster child they loved as their own.
Trading worthlessness for faithfulness (Story 10 of 50)
I met Mia last summer when she first became a resident in our Young Girls Cottage. I was working as a treatment specialist in a different cottage at the time, so I only got to see her every so often. I was immediately struck by Mia’s kindness, openness and her bright, vibrant personality.
The gentle giant
Adam is known as the “gentle giant” of the barn. While many are intimidated by his large size, he can quickly gain one’s trust and confidence with his calm and pleasant nature.
Life lessons learned (Story 9 of 50)
I was 16 years old when I came to CCHO. I was a lost, angry teenager, but the love and support of CCHO helped mold me into the woman I am today.
A faithful foundation (Story 8 of 50)
Fifty years ago today, on a Tuesday evening at Rittman First Church of Christ, 12 men were selected as members of the interim Board of Directors for Christian Children’s Home of Ohio (CCHO). Several months later, one of those men would become CCHO’s first executive director while also serving with his wife as the organization’s first set of house parents.
Josie’s triumph (Story 7 of 50)
When I first met Josie, I met a powerhouse of a young woman; she presented as a strong, independent teenager with something to prove to the world. She was fluent in psychology, philosophy, and teenager, and she had an opinion about every current issue facing our nation.
Certified Best Christian Workplace 2019
We are excited to announce for the third straight year, CCHO and our family of ministries have been certified as a 2019 Best Christian Workplace by the Best Christian Workplaces Institute (BCWI).
Healing for a kindergartener’s heart (Story 6 of 50)
Joey was a kindergarten student when I started working with him. He had the typical chubby cheeks of a kindergartener. He was missing his two front teeth and had the most stunning eye color.
Decades with Discover (Story 5 of 50)
As the Discipleship Minister at Discover Christian Church in Dublin, Ohio, I have led our annual CCHO men’s mission trip for the past 10 years. Our senior minister and I discussed how long Discover has been involved with CCHO. While neither of us can remember when it all started, we know it’s been at least 20 years!
The class clown
One Heart Stables is home to a select group of horses. Each of their distinctive personalities contributes to their role as “equine therapists” as they serve the children in our residential program as well as adults and children in the general public through Encompass Christian Counseling.
Minister to hurting kids
The character and commitment of our staff members are critical to us serving our clients well. Treatment specialists, a key position within our children’s residential center team, directly care for the needs and safety of our youth clients. This role offers the unique opportunity to build relationships with kids and teens and model for them what a healthy adult looks like.
One Heart, One Family of Ministries (Story 4 of 50)
From the first employee hired in 1969 to our most recent group of new hires, thousands of men and women have served at CCHO and our family of ministries. They have served by caring enough to step into the pain and hurt of life to offer hope and peace.
Perfect love casts out fear (Story 3 of 50)
It’s not easy being a foster parent. In fact, many foster parents would say opening their hearts and homes to children in need is the hardest thing they’ve ever done.
“I don’t want you to love me” (Story 2 of 50)
Each day, employees of our family of ministries aim to uphold our three core values: relentless commitment, selflessness and kindness. We believe our interactions with the children, adults and families we serve throughout our three ministries, as well as our interactions with fellow employees, should be infused with these values.
National Social Work Month
We are deeply grateful for the countless contributions of our agency’s social workers throughout the year and acknowledge them especially this month in observance of National Social Work Month.
A place where kids and God can meet (Story 1 of 50)
A farmhouse, small barn and old tenant house sat on 175 acres of land in Wooster, OH. A group of caring individuals with a vision to create a place where kids and God could meet tried to purchase the property, but no local banks would give them a loan. Incredibly, a family from Orrville Christian Church stepped up and bought the farm for $65,000 so CCHO could begin its ministry.
Calling all bidders!
We’re introducing the Promise Project Auction, where you can impact the lives of children, adults and families throughout Ohio by bidding on items, making cash donations or simply sharing the Promise Project Auction across your social media channels.
Foster parents are invaluable
Foster parents are invaluable to CCHO’s ministry in helping kids experience their worth in Christ. They provide safety, security, love, compassion and support for children when they need it the most.
Slow and steady wins the race
Blue is the true definition of “slow and steady wins the race” and can often be found napping in his stall at One Heart Stables.
Cottage family nights
Our children’s residential center gives kids the opportunity to experience how a healthy family functions. Perhaps for you, some of your favorite childhood memories include family nights—nights to simply stay home with your loved ones and enjoy your favorite foods and movies or games. Each weekend our cottages do just that.
2018 Donor Impact Report: A season of growth
As we embark on our 50th year of ministry in 2019, we also would like to reflect back on our previous fiscal year. As you’ll see in our 2018 Donor Impact Report, we could not have done any of this without the incredible support of people like you!
Trusting in a better plan
As we begin our 50th year of helping people experience their worth in Christ, let’s celebrate God’s transformational work in the life of one young boy over the course of one year and 22 days at CCHO.
Thank you, Wayne County Community Foundation
Thank you, Wayne County Community Foundation, for your support of children in need. These funds shine brightly towards the completion of our capital campaign.
Expressing God’s extravagant love
Our residential kiddos woke up to an astonishing example of generosity and love thanks to our Wish List donors!
Stand out and shine bright this Christmas
This year, we wanted to share a beautiful Christmas message from a resident in our teen girls cottage who arrived at CCHO in the summer of 2017.
Wishing for home this Christmas
Children like Mia, who have been abused and neglected by the people they should be able to trust most in life, have such a hard time moving past the trauma they have experienced. But you can make a difference in Mia’s life right now.
More than a drawing
The kids in our residential program bring a host of challenges with them when they first step foot on our Wooster campus. But they equally bring unique talents and passions that we hope will shine even brighter as they continue on their healing journey.
One heart on the rise
Cottage 1 recently celebrated #OneHeartOnTheRise. One of our teen boys successfully completed his program and was reunified with his biological family. What a wonderful Thanksgiving and Christmas for this family!
Thankful for life change, thankful for you
As we enter this week of giving thanks, we are joyfully grateful for the many children and adults who have received hope and healing this past year throughout our family of ministries. God is indeed good and gracious to those who are hurting.
CCHO and our family of ministries celebrates reaccreditation from Council on Accreditation
CCHO and our family of ministries have recently completed a rigorous reaccreditation process with an independent international accrediting body called Council on Accreditation (COA). Implementing COA standards means our organization is among the best in the field. We are proud to be a part of this community of excellence.
When braiding leads to bonding
God often moves in powerful ways to demonstrate His love to people in pain and crisis. These are the exhilarating stories that capture our imaginations, stories that inspire books, songs and movies. But sometimes, rather than doing the seemingly impossible, He chooses to move in simpler ways.
24th Annual Caring4Kids Golf Classic
Sixty golfers filled the course at Hawk’s Nest Golf Club in support of CCHO’s most vulnerable residents. Event proceeds will benefit our residential treatment program which brings hope and healing to children ages 6 to 18 who have experienced trauma and abuse.
“I Don’t Matter”
Shortly after Marcus began his treatment, he started leaving sheets of notebook paper around campus with different handwritten messages on them. One day, the message read, simply: “I don’t matter”. On another day, he dragged his foot through the dust on the baseball field to write: “Nobody loves me”.
A great night with great laughs at the 2018 Heart for the Home Celebration
Laughter has a way of bringing people together, and on an early spring night at First Christian Church in Canton, comedian Michael Jr. definitely brought the funny!
Thank you to our 2018 Heart for the Home sponsors!
An event like this wouldn’t be possible without the support of some INCREDIBLE sponsors. Thank you!
Michael Jr. shout-out!
Our Heart for the Home Celebration on March 24 in Canton is the biggest event of the year for our family of ministries. We are so excited to have Christian comedian Michael Jr. performing live that night!
Michael Jr. says it’s OK to laugh at church
Comedian Michael Jr. will be performing a live show at our 2018 Heart for the Home Celebration in Canton on March 24!
Heart for the Home Celebration
The first-ever Heart for the Home Celebration was created as we sought to not only pay tribute to our past but also look forward to an exciting future that God is unfolding for us!
A new name & an eternal promise
As we began discussing a redesign of the semi-annual newsletter for CCHO, we wondered if there may be a more meaningful name for the publication, something with a relevant connection to God’s Word that illustrates our desire to more effectively communicate information about our ministries. Our search eventually led us to those two simple yet striking words.
CCHO honored with WorthyWorks Award
The new year got off to a memorable start for CCHO when the Wayne County Community Foundation and the Wooster Area Chamber of Commerce presented the agency with its annual WorthyWorks Award.