In September, the Children's Homes of Cleveland County announced a $1.9 million capital campaign. The purpose of the campaign is to provide a unique independent living program for youth that have aged out of the foster care system, increase the capacity for counseling to youth that have suffered from abuse and neglect, and improve supervised visitation services for families.
The Dover Foundation Inc. of Shelby, with a gift of $300,000 to the Children's Homes Right of Passage campaign, has issued the community a Double the Money Challenge! The challenge is for the community to match the Dover Foundation gift by December 16 and make the campaign eligible for additional grants from statewide foundations. The Dover Foundation is a long time supporter of projects and programs throughout Cleveland County.
"We believe in the mission of Children's Homes and support its longstanding, superior leadership," says Dover Foundation Board President Kathy Wilson. "CHCC has a proud history of generating innovative programs and being a constant, active, and strong voice for the well being of children and families in our county."
In response to the Challenge, Children's Homes is asking households all over the county to contribute by December 16. "Every gift of any amount helps," said Children's Homes Executive Director Margie Christopher. "We hope this big news encourages folks to act right away; what a terrific boost from the Dover Foundation to our campaign to help struggling young adults achieve independence."
Right of Passage Campaign Co-Chair Jay Gragg says, "We thank the Dover Foundation for this generous gift and motivating challenge opportunity which is a game changer to this Campaign. More importantly, we thank them on behalf of the deserving kids and families that will benefit because of the Dover Foundation's generosity."
To give to the campaign or for more information, contact CHCC Executive Director Margie Christopher by email at mcchcc@charlotte.twcbc.com or by telephoning 704-484-2558.
About CHCC
Children's Homes for Cleveland County, Inc. is an independent, not for profit agency serving children and families for more than 25 years that are in crisis due to abuse and neglect. CHCC's mission is to provide services to children and families in which they have the opportunity to come together to learn, to grow and to develop in a safe, stable environment - because we care. An array of supportive services have been developed including supervised visitation, social services to families, limited adoption services, outpatient mental health services, parenting education services, and community education and awareness.
Submitted by Shannon Kennedy