50 Stories for 50 Years of Ministry
When CCHO was founded in 1969, one married couple in one farmhouse provided a safe place to stay for three to five kids at one time. Today, our family of ministries regularly serves more than 1,000 children and adults each month from nearly 20 different regional locations.
Through five decades of ministry, we have been privileged to watch broken people, broken families, and broken hearts be made new by a loving and redemptive God. To celebrate everything God has done in and through our agency, we shared 50 Stories for 50 Years of Ministry throughout 2019. These stories came from all corners of our ministry: former CCHO residents as well as past and present counseling clients and foster care families and children; current and former employees and board members; volunteers and long-time donors; and supporting churches.
Find all 50 stories below, plus a bonus post that wrapped up the series.
December 31, 2019
We ask, Lord, that Your presence always graces us, that our words and actions reflect Your heart for people.
December 27, 2019
Karon first stepped foot on CCHO’s Wooster campus in November of 1981 when her parents, Tim and Pat McKelley, were hired as house parents.
December 23, 2019
CCHO will always have a special place in my heart. Not only did it bring me to Ohio, but I’ve witnessed many miracles and lives changed.
December 19, 2019
As we prepared to celebrate our 50th anniversary we perused old photo albums. Enjoy 50 photos from our five decades of ministry.
December 13, 2019
Today, we invite you to learn more about Esperanza de Ana, an affiliated ministry based in western South America.
December 9, 2019
CCHO kids may not wake up in their own homes on Christmas, but because of kind supporters, they wake up to an astonishing example of love.
November 30, 2019
Amidst the heartache of loss in the foster care system, our staff has had the opportunity to witness the joy of adoption in the last year.
November 27, 2019
Katie needed to feel safe and loved. Thanks to donors like you, Katie found the support, therapy and love she needed at CCHO.
November 20, 2019
It’s been quite some time since I first set foot on the CCHO campus. To say I had some anxiety when I arrived would be an understatement.
November 11, 2019
Kristina Fryson, MSW, LSW, CTT shows the powerful difference that effective trauma treatment can make in someone’s life.
October 28, 2019
Not every season and every case are created equal, but if given the opportunity to build a bridge, I encourage you to take the first step.
October 17, 2019
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.
October 14, 2019
CCHO has been a part of my life for at least 20 years. God has filled this relationship with a combination of wonder, trial, and purpose.
October 9, 2019
Two former CCHO residents share their inspiring stories of transformation in story #38 of our 50 Stories for 50 Years of Ministry series.
October 4, 2019
We’re pleased to once again celebrate our staff with a closer look at the work they do each day to help people experience their worth.
September 30, 2019
James 1:27 calls God’s people to meet the needs of orphans. The Zieglers answered that call by joining Encourage Foster Care.
September 26, 2019
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.
September 21, 2019
How do you show appreciation to staff who consistently fight for the highest good of others?
September 16, 2019
Although all clients have a special story, some clients’ stories stick with you long after their treatment in the program has ended.
September 10, 2019
We are so grateful for the collection of caring churches that have supported CCHO and our family of ministries over the past five decades.
August 28, 2019
What started in 1994 as a small fundraiser has become an annual event that allows us to continue helping kids and families.
August 23, 2019
Don Boehm and his sons have been swinging their clubs for CCHO for years. Here’s why they come back every year for the golf outing.
August 21, 2019
The Northern Ohio Chapter of the Sons of God Motorcycle Club has been blessing the kids at CCHO every summer since 1996.
August 16, 2019
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.
August 13, 2019
Jim Morrison and Regi Muich from MOCC share the history behind their annual Cruisin’ for the Kids event.
July 31, 2019
On July 11, 1997, a little girl was born to a single mom. That young mom was a former CCHO resident.
July 24, 2019
That was the first time I saw Brent cry. He regretted that he would leave CCHO without being baptized.
July 19, 2019
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.
July 11, 2019
Our group from Fairlawn Mennonite Church in Apple Creek, Ohio has been regularly volunteering with CCHO since June 2018.
July 8, 2019
Once upon a time…. Probably the most famous opening line of a story.
July 1, 2019
Several employees share their vision for what’s ahead for our family of ministries and what “More” might look like over the next 50 years.
June 29, 2019
Louie Pantelis takes the storytelling reins today. Louie lived in fear and desperation as a teenager. But then he wound up on at CCHO.
June 26, 2019
When Julie and Ron began their foster and adoption journey, they couldn’t have imagined they would one day have 18 children.
June 24, 2019
When new residents arrive, our therapy team writes a narrative from the child’s perspective to help staff understand their trauma.
June 22, 2019
It is an honor to walk alongside people like Ashley, who has found health and healing during her time as an Encompass client.
June 20, 2019
What a way to commemorate five decades of ministry! More than 1500 people attended our three-day celebration on June 7-9.
June 4, 2019
As we prepare to gather for our 50th celebration this weekend, we’re especially grateful for our community partners who support our mission.
May 30, 2019
A lot changes in one decade, let alone five. The world is different today in many ways than it was when CCHO started in a farmhouse in 1969.
May 21, 2019
Helping meet residents’ needs takes a lot of hands and partners. We are grateful for the kindness of the Wayne County Sheriff’s Office.
May 16, 2019
I came to CCHO in 1971 and lived there until I graduated in 1975. I was the second resident. My memories are numerous but here are a few.
May 7, 2019
When you hear people talk about foster care and adoption, you often hear about a broken system and all the reasons to stay away.
May 3, 2019
I met Mia when she first became a resident in our Young Girls Cottage. I was immediately struck by her kindness and vibrant personality.
April 26, 2019
I was 16 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.
April 22, 2019
Fifty years ago today, on a Tuesday evening at Rittman First Church of Christ, 12 men were selected as interim board members of CCHO.
April 17, 2019
When I first met Josie, I met a powerhouse of a young woman; she presented as a strong, independent teenager with something to prove.
April 11, 2019
Joey was a kindergarten student when I met him. He had the typical chubby cheeks of a kindergartener and he was missing his two front teeth.
April 4, 2019
As the Discipleship Minister at Discover Christian Church in Dublin, I’ve led our annual CCHO men’s mission trip for the past 10 years.
March 27, 2019
From the first employee hired in 1969 to our most recent new hires, our staff have served by stepping into the pain and to offer hope.
March 25, 2019
It’s not easy being a foster parent. Many would say opening their hearts and homes to kids in need is the hardest thing they’ve ever done.
March 20, 2019
Each day, employees of our family of ministries aim to uphold our three core values: relentless commitment, selflessness and kindness.
March 15, 2019
For 50 years, Christian Children’s Home of Ohio (CCHO) has been “a place where kids and God can meet.”