Opening of The Children's Village at Christian City Soon!

By Phil Kouns
Chief Operating Officer
Christian City Home For Children, Inc

The much anticipated date is just around the corner! The opening of Phase I of The Children’s Village at Christian City will be announced in a few weeks’ time and occupancy of the first cottages will become a reality.

We have all heard the expression “Some things never change”. Well, that’s not exactly a concrete statement, although it’s a good statement regarding the work of the Christian City Home for Children, Inc. While we are making a change in our children’s homes location on our campus, and we have changed the name of the residential program from The Home for Children to The Children’s Village at Christian City, our quality program and our commitment to the 43 year ministry to children of need “..will never change!”
What began as a dream of caring folks out of the Southwest Christian Church, the Christian City Home for Children, Inc. celebrated the 43 years anniversary of the opening day of service on February 14, 2008.

The Children’s Village at Christian City is a continuation of the past 43 years of serving God’s children who are in need of a “home away from home” due to circumstances beyond their control. These new homes are replacing the original cottages built to care for children placed at Christian City. The need to change to a new type of home that is better suited for these children became paramount. Our homes are being built with state-of-the-art craftsmanship and will include a new floor plan, new furnishings and appliances. Utilities were all considered in planning to assure long term efficiency. These are not institutional settings, but rather a family dwelling with the look and feel of “home”.

Phase I of The Children’s Village is a secure location with limited access and includes the first four homes. One has a full basement to serve as a safety/storm shelter for all four homes should the need arise for a shelter. Each of the homes face the drive-around loop, which will eventually contain 8-10 homes. This initial phase includes two homes for boys and two homes for girls for a total of 32 children. These children are currently placed in our original homes on campus. We are not building new capacity, but rather a relocation of these children. Construction is nearing completion on the last home and we are awaiting a Certificate of Occupancy.

Phase I also includes the Home for Children, Inc. Administration building with an adjoining training room for house parents, foster parents, and the community at large.
This building is currently under construction and is targeted to be completed by August, 2008. The Administration building will serve as the Welcome Center for The Children’s Village, and will be the processing point for all visitors. The Administration Building will also house the social services caseworkers who handle child intake interviews and placement of children at Christian City.


During this initial move, two cottages that serve as relief cottages for our full time
House parents, will remain on the current Home for Children, Inc. campus. Phase II will include two new homes for those relief cottages, as well as two new homes which may be used for emergency/respite relief, and a child advocacy center of some type to be determined.

There is a significant need for assistance with the “move in” to Phase I at The Children’s Village when that date is announced. We will be moving four homes full of furnishings, new furniture, children’s personal belongings, kitchen supplies, as well as all the usual “stuff” that families accumulate through the years. If you, or your church group, civic club, business associates, family and friends would like to be put on the list to assist in this momentous day, please call Lauren Kosiba, Administrative Assistant to Philip Kouns at 770-703-2636. We can’t wait to welcome you to The Children’s Village at Christian City and thank all of you who have donated your time, services, and resources to help make The Children’s Village possible!

Atlanta Business Chronicle Ranks Christian City First!

Christian City Ranked First in Atlanta's Top 25 Retirement Communities and First in Top 10 Assisted Living

Christian City was ranked number one in Atlanta's Top 25 Retirement Communities and number one in the Top 10 Assisted Living Communities in a recent issue of the Atlanta Business Chronicle. The paper's 30th anniversary issue ranked the city's senior facilities by total number of residents. Christian City is noted as being the facility with the longest history of success having been established in 1962.

Christian City's Vice President of Senior Services remarked "While it is important to be recognized for being the biggest, our goal is to continue to be the best. We take pride in offering top quality care, individualized programs, all in a loving, safe environment. Whether you are an active retiree living in our life lease patio homes, or an aging senior in need of daily assistance, Christian City offers a sense of community. Our residents are like family...each one is treated as a special guest."

Christian City is located on a 500 acre campus in Union City and is home to over 1,000 seniors. For more information please call 770-703-2636 or access www.christiancity.org

Christian City Named Georgia's Best Management Company

Christian City was presented the award for "Best Management Company in the State of Georgia" at a recent 2008 Southeastern Affordable Housing Management Association luncheon held at the Airport Hilton. Paul Baker, Director of the Retirement Division at Christian City accepted the award from Valerie Todaro, CEO of Georgia HAP (Housing Assistance Payments). Over 1,000 residents live on Christian City's 500 acre campus which offers quality homes in a community environment for those on limited income, active retirees, seniors in need of assisted living, nursing and rehabilitation and Alzheimer's disease care. The Children's Village at Christian City provides safe, family centered homes with full time houseparents to abandoned and abused children. Located in Union City, Christian City is a nonprofit, nondenominational organization and is always in need of volunteers and donations. For more information on Christian City call 770-703-2636 or access www.christiancity.org.

Pictured (l-r) are: Christian City's Shirley Myers, Kaye Fogg, Paul Baker, Director of Retirement Division accepting the award from Valerie Todaro, CEO of Georgia HAP Administrators, Christian City's Paula Brown and Jeanette Payne.

VOLUNTEERING GIVES MEANING TO RETIREMENT

Experts tell us that an increasing number of Americans can expect to live as many retirement years as they have had in their vocational careers. On this “second time round”, retirees are not seeking financial benefit and career advancement. Many, having secured a measure of financial freedom, now seek to invest their time in activities that bring lasting meaning and purpose. They realize that finding a passion for making a difference “makes all the difference” in both their emotional and physical well being.

Ms. Jill Growney, a 21 year resident of Christian City, embodies this growing trend among seniors. “While I was working as a teacher, my life was busy with the responsibilities of my job – classroom, conferences, lesson plans. I did not have much of a concept for my retirement years other than some traveling – but that is no longer the case,” she stated. Ms. Growney notes that her life has certainly changed for the good since having the time and opportunity to invest in the lives of others; “I had always been a people person, yet after the death of my husband I found myself alone. In spending my time investing in the needs of others, I have found new ways.. meaningful ways, to enjoy my life."

Indeed Ms. Growney has! In addition to the recreational activities she enjoys, her desire to serve others has brought her into (among others) a meaningful role as a volunteer chaplain to the Christian City community. For over ten years, her love of ministry has been evident as she has led a weekly bible study for those who suffer from Alzheimer's disease. She warms the room with her bright smile and residents look forward to hearing her uplifting message each week. She expressed, “My service as a volunteer has definitely changed me – I find so much enjoyment and purpose in helping others. My life now has a new sense of worth. ”I recently started square dance lessons – I say to myself....“I can’t believe I am doing this!”

Located on a beautiful 500 acre campus in Union City, Christian City is home to over 1,000 senior residents and is always in need of enthusiastic volunteers like Ms. Growney. In addition to being an active retirement community, Christian City offers housing for those on limited income, assisted living, nursing and rehabilitation, convalescent care and care for those who suffer from Alzheimer’s disease. Less fortunate children also live on campus at The Children's Village. For more information or a free tour please call 770-703-2600 or access www.christiancity.org
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WORLD GYM DONATES CARLOADS OF GIFTS TO CHRISTIAN CITY

Fayette County World Gym employees delivered car loads of gifts for the children who live at the Home for Children/Children's Village at Christian City. World Gym members and employees from all three locations came together to make the holidays special by choosing children to sponsor from an angel tree.

Located in Union City, Christian City has been providing loving homes to abandoned and abused children on their campus for over forty years. Sponsorships and financial support are needed year round.To find out more about Christian City and how you can make a donation, become a volunteer or Sponsor A Child, please call 770-703-2636 or access http://www.christiancity.org/

CHRISTIAN CITY APPOINTS THOMPKINS AS EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT

Christian City President and CEO Robert Crutchfield announced today the appointment of Mr. Terry Thompkins as Executive Vice President for Senior Operations at Christian City.

"Mr. Thompkins brings a wide range of expertise and experience to Christian City. I am impressed with Terry's record of success in the senior services industry and feel certain that Christian City will flourish with the addition of Mr. Thompkins to our staff," Mr. Crutchfield stated.

Terry is a graduate of the University of Central Florida with a degree in Business Management. He received his Master of Divinity from Emory University, Candler School of Theology, and is an Ordained Methodist Minister. He holds a license as a Nursing Home Administrator in the states of Georgia and Oklahoma as well as being a certified Retirement Home Professional through the American Association of Homes and Services for The Aging.

Terry served as Executive Director of Wesley Woods, Inc from 1995-2005, and has worked in the Services and Housing for the Aging field for over 15 years. Active in the community, he has been a member of numerous Boards of Directors including YMCA of Newnan, Georgia Association of Homes and Services for the Aging, The Keith Brooking Children's Foundation and the United Way.

Mr. Thompkins comments, "Christian City has a long and strong heritage of meeting the needs of those we serve in an outstanding fashion. I am honored to serve the residents and employees in this tremendous ministry and look forward to the future with great hope and expectations."

Conveniently located in Union City, just minutes from Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport, Christian City is home to over 1,000 seniors and operates with a staff of more than 400 employees and 200 volunteers. Christian City boasts a vibrant retirement community including life-lease patio homes, options for independent living, assisted living, skilled nursing and rehabilitative care, apartments for those on limited income and facilities for those who suffer from Alzheimer's disease.

As a nonprofit organization, Christian City also cares for abandoned and abused children on campus through their Home For Children/Children's Village, and will soon launch a new program offering residential care for the developmentally disabled. For more information call 770-703-2636 or access http://www.christiancity.org/.