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News from Southmountain Children and Family Service

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Campus Children Enjoy an Exciting Day at Discovery Place

A group of 12 Southmountain staff and much appreciated volunteers escorted 36 campus children on Tuesday, July 28, to a fun-filled day to Discovery Place in Charlotte. Discovery Place has hands-on science activities along with a variety of animals and other learning interactives. The children also got to go to the IMAX Theatre and watch a breath-taking movie about great white sharks.
Every Tuesday during the summer months when children are out of school, Southmountain staff take the children on fun outings to give the foster parents “a break” from their parenting responsibilities. Other summer outings this summer include a trip to Beanstalk Journeys, Morganton’s zip line, Steele Creek Park and Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park.


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Therapy Made Possible Through Grant from the Community Foundation of Burke County

A generous grant of $5,000 from the Community Foundation of Burke County has made it possible for children in Burke County who were abused to receive therapy. A program of Southmountain Children and Family Services, called the Center of Excellence, provides Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavior Therapy, an evidence-based therapy, to help children heal from the trauma symptoms, stress and other problems that result from suffering from child abuse.
Most of the families served by the Center of Excellence use their health insurance to cover the costs of therapy. But for uninsured and underinsured families, they cannot afford this much needed service. This grant from the Community Foundation of Burke County has allowed several Burke County children to receive therapy. We are very grateful to the Community Foundation for funding this important service for children who were abused!


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Disc Golf Program Made Possible by The Glass Foundation

Southmountain Children and Family Services is delighted to receive a grant from the Glass Foundation in Asheville, North Carolina.   Southmountain will use the $3,580 awarded from the Foundation to begin the Educational Disc Golf Experience “EDGE” Program at our Foster Care Community campus in Nebo.   Along with establishing a permanent 9-hole disc golf course, Southmountain will use the EDGE curriculum to teach lessons in fitness, nutrition, math, science, citizenship, and the environment.  Southmountain is very grateful to the Glass Foundation for their generous gift!

 

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Grant to Benefit Children’s Advocacy Center

A grant for $2,500 has been awarded to Southmountain Children and Family Services from The Unifour Foundation Inc. Endowment, a component fund of the North Carolina Community Foundation. This grant will help Southmountain replace the recording equipment at the Gingerbread House, the Burke County Children’s Advocacy Center. Southmountain operates four Children’s Advocacy Centers serving 6 counties in Western North Carolina that coordinate child abuse investigations between the Department of Social Services, Law Enforcement and the District Attorney’s Office. A BIG Thank You to The Unifour Foundation Inc. Endowment for supporting our programs!


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Enon Baptist Church Sponsors 25th Annual Sonshine Saturday

Enon Baptist Church in Valdese has hosted “Sonshine Saturday” for 25 years for children and parents that live at our Foster Care Community, in Nebo, North Carolina. On Saturday May 30th, Sonshine Saturday was held on the church grounds and 150-200 people enjoyed this fun filled day! Events included a watermelon eating contest, sack race, huge waterslide, obstacle course, dunking booth and a wheel barrow race. A delicious cookout meal was served and great fun was had by all. Southmountain is so grateful to Enon Baptist Church, all the volunteers that made this day possible, and for hosting this event for the past 25 years!

 

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Music Comes to Southmountain

Children who live at our Foster Care Community in Nebo, North Carolina now have the opportunity for free guitar lessons from a local professional musician. Todd Greene of Morganton, North Carolina is volunteering his time to provide free lessons for our children. Children who are willing to make a commitment to participate in lessons are encouraged to participate and we now have 9 children taking lessons from Todd!
Todd Greene is a singer-song writer who teaches guitar, voice, and songwriting at Clater, Kaye Theatreworks in Hickory, North Carolina. He is an engaging solo performer with introspective original songs.

Thank you Todd for giving our children this wonderful gift of music!


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New Director Hired for McDowell County Children’s Advocacy Center

Southmountain Children and Family Services would like to welcome Kim Greene as the new Director of Lily’s Place, the McDowell County Children’s Advocacy Center. Kim brings a multitude of excellent professional experiences that she will apply in her new role as Center Director. She attended Western Carolina University and Gardner Webb University to earn her Bachelor of Science in Human Services.
Prior to joining the team at Southmountain, Kim worked 7 years for the Division of Adult Corrections and Juvenile Justice, 24th District, Mitchell County, NC. She also worked for RHA Behavioral Health Services as a Qualified Professional with status of Mental Health/Substance Abuse/Developmentally Disabled where she worked as Team Lead for Children and Adult services.
As Director of the Children’s Advocacy Center, Greene is responsible for forensic interviews of suspected child abuse victims and facilitating multidisciplinary coordinated responses between Judicial, Child Advocacy, and the Department of Social Services. Kim is highly trained in a variety of nationally known methods for Forensic Interviewing. As Director of the McDowell CAC, Kim is also responsible for providing advocacy for victims and linking families with community resources they may need.
Welcome Kim!


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Peebles Store in Marion partners with Southmountain Children and Family Services

Peebles in Marion recently celebrated it’s “30 days of Giving” program, concluded on March 31st and has partnered with Southmountain Children and Family Services. The program has been successful and raised over $3.0 million for 700 local organizations across the country. Southmountain Children and Family Services is very appreciative of the $470 awarded to the agency as part of Peebles Community Counts program. The agency continues to serve needy children and families both through Lily's Place, our Children's Advocacy Center and with our Center of Excellence site which provides Trauma Based - Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), both located in Marion. Our thanks again to all the staff at Peebles and the entire Stage Stores family.


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Burke County Child Advocacy Center - Open House and Appreciation Luncheon

 

Open House and Appreciation Lunch
Burke County Child Advocacy Center
The Gingerbread House
408 South Green Street
Morganton, NC 28655
828-430-9949

April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month
In order to show our appreciation to those who intercede in child abuse cases and open our doors to the community in the hopes of preventing child abuse, the Burke County Child Advocacy Center is hosting an Open House and Appreciation Luncheon.

YOU ARE INVITED!

Friday, April 24th, 2015
12 p.m. to 3 p.m.

Please contact Beth cali, Director, at the Burke County Child Advocacy Center with any questions and please share this open invitation with any groups, colleagues, civic organizations, or others in the community who may be interested.

Hope to See you there!

Southmountain Children and Family Services
Providing pathways of change for children and families in the community


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Southmountain Receives a Grant from the Burke Women’s Fund

Southmountain Children and Family Services is proud to be a recent recipient of a grant for $1,200 from the Burke Women’s Fund, operating under the auspices of the Community Foundation of Burke County. The grant will support our SPARCS of Light for Troubled Teen Project by providing funding for a Clinician to be trained in the SPARCS group therapy for teenage girls. SPARCS stands for Structured Psychotherapy for Adolescents Responding to Chronic Stress and will teach our girls coping skills and positive relationship skills. Thank you to the Burke Women’s Fund for this generous gift!


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A PAW TO HOLD: Dog brings comfort to children during hard times

Through Southmountain Children and Family Services, local kids now have a new four-legged friend to lend them a comforting paw during difficult times.

Leroy, a 2-year-old, golden retriever/Labrador mix, is Southmountain’s new facility dog that was trained by Canine Companions for Independence. Leroy will be working in our Children’s Advocacy Centers (CAC) with Rhonda Robins, a victim advocate; and they will regularly visit The Gingerbread House in Burke County and Lily’s Place in McDowell County. “Our CACs will be the first in North Carolina to use a facility dog”, said Director Chris Jernigan.

When a child has allegedly been abused, a trained professional conducts a forensic interview with the child at the CAC. During this interview, a child is faced with the stressful situation of reliving their abuse and they can really struggle to tell their story. “The dog makes it a little easier, especially for teenagers, and Leroy is now there to help ease their minds. He can help them relax and have fun, or he can just be a comforting fur coat for them to stroke and focus on as they tell their story to an interviewer”, Rhonda said. “Leroy also will be able to accompany children in court, huddling with them in the witness stand or even sitting in front of them as they tell their story”, Rhonda said.

Rhonda began bringing Leroy into the local advocacy centers around Valentine’s Day, and so far, she already has seen an immense response from the children. Having the dog around seems to change the entire demeanor of the child. Welcome Leroy!

 

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Southmountain Goes Green!

Southmountain Goes Green!
Southmountain Children and Family Services is proud to launch a recycling program on our campus in Nebo, North Carolina. The program will be a community service project for our children who participate in the National Youth Project Using Mini-bikes (NYPUM). NYPUM participants will help launch the program on campus with our foster parents, provide education on the appropriate ways to recycle, help keep the momentum of the project going and help the project grow. Southmountain’s goal is to also use this project to educate our children about the benefits of recycling and the importance of caring for our planet. According to Executive Director, Chris Jernigan “Our hope is that this will be the first of other projects to help our organization Go Green”. Southmountain Children and Family Services is also recycling in our downtown office as well as at our Burke County Children’s Advocacy Center.


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Jersey Mike's Subs opening and is partnering with the Gingerbread House in Morganton for a great cause.

The new Jersey Mike’s Subs opened in Morganton Heights Shopping Center on Wednesday, January 21st and, as part of its grand opening, the eatery will be supporting The Gingerbread House in Morganton.

Franchise owners and brothers Patrick Dillingham and Phillip Dillingham will hold a free sub fundraiser from Wednesday to Sunday to support The Gingerbread House in Morganton. The Gingerbread House is designed to help streamline child abuse cases, prosecute the offender and provide treatment for victims. Jersey Mike’s is circulating 10,000 coupons in the community with the offer of a free regular sub for a minimum $1 donation to The Gingerbread House. Customers must have a coupon to be eligible, according to information from the restaurant. “Supporting The Gingerbread House for our grand opening fundraiser is an opportunity to raise money for a good cause and invite customers to try Jersey Mike’s highly authentic product,” said Owner Patrick Dillingham. “At Jersey Mike’s we are committed to making a difference in the community. Phil and I grew up in Nebo, so we’re excited to open a Jersey Mike’s close to home. The agency extends our gratitude and sincere thanks for this local support. The offer ends this coming Sunday, January 25th.

 

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O'Reilly Auto Parts in Marion partners with Southmountain Children and Family Services

O' Reilly Auto Parts in Marion recently celebrated a Grand Opening and has partnered with Southmountain Children and Family Services. Southmountain Children and Family Services is very appreciative of the $200 awarded to the agency as part of O' Reilly's Community Give Back Program. The agency continues to serve needy children and families both through Lily's Place, our Children's Advocacy Center and with our Center of Excellence site which provides Trauma Based - Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), both located in Marion. Our thanks again to Kevin Whisnant, Store Manager and all the staff at O' Reilly Auto Parts.

 

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Southmountain honors Bill Brinkley for 50 years of outstanding service

Southmountain Children and Family Services honored William “Bill” Brinkley during a recent special celebration for 50 years of outstanding service on the Southmountain Board of Trustees. In recognition of his many years of service, Southmountain’s Administration Building on the campus of their Foster Care Community in Nebo was dedicated in his name.

For over half of his tenure, Mr. Brinkley has served on the Executive Committee as Board Chairman, serving longer on Southmountain’s Board than any other board member in the 111 year history of the program. In addition to his service on the Southmountain Board of Trustees, Mr. Brinkley serves on the Board of the Community Foundation of Burke and has served on the Boards of Wells Fargo and Mimosa Hills. According to Mr. Brinkley, “Of all the boards I have served on, Southmountain has been the most rewarding, because of the good work that Southmountain does”.

Mr. Brinkley has co-managed his families’ business, the Brinkley Lumber Company – a building supply company in Valdese and Rutherford College for the past 51 years. Mr. Brinkley has been married to his wife Linda for 29 years, and has 3 children and 4 grandchildren. He is a member of the Valdese Presbyterian Church where he served as a Deacon and Elder.
Since 1964 when Mr. Brinkley first joined Southmountain’s Board of Trustees, the Board has been instrumental in the evolution of Southmountain Children and Family Services (SMCFS) as it adapted to meet the needs of the children of Burke and the surrounding counties.

During the 1990’s under Mr. Brinkley’s leadership the Board oversaw two capital campaigns that resulted in the construction of eight new group homes on the campus near Lake James. The homes were built to resemble typical family residences, situated in a beautiful neighborhood setting. Construction also included a an activities center that houses a gymnasium; ceramics and woodworking shops; an indoor swimming pool; and a 99-seat theater, as well as outdoor recreation facilities; and picnic areas.
In 1998, SMCFS established its first Children’s Advocacy Center (CAC) in Morganton, better known as the Gingerbread House. CACs provide a child-friendly atmosphere and highly trained interview and medical personnel to assist in the investigation of child abuse. After overwhelming response and utilization of the CAC in Morganton, SMCFS expanded this service to neighboring communities. Between 2009 and 2013, Mr. Brinkley and the Board oversaw the expansion of three additional Children’s Advocacy Centers serving McDowell, Avery, Watauga, Yancey, and Mitchell Counties.

Under Mr. Brinkley’s Board leadership SMCFS once again expanded services in 2012 with the creation of a specialized evidence-based treatment program – the Southmountain Center of Excellence which provides specialized trauma treatment to child abuse victims in Burke, McDowell, Watauga, Avery, Yancey, Mitchell, and Buncombe counties.
Arguably, the most unique creation under Mr. Brinkley’s chairmanship came about in 2005 when the Board and Executive Director Chris Jernigan created a new way of providing care for foster children that would combine the best aspects of group care with the stability and intimacy of family foster care. Instead of continuing to provide care for large numbers of children in each of the homes on campus with houseparents working days on/off shifts, they reduced the number of children and hired one set of parents to live full-time in each home. The result is similar to having eight foster families living in a closed neighborhood with the addition of on-site recreation opportunities, therapists, social workers, and support personnel. The program called “Southmountain Estates” is the first and only foster community in North Carolina and similar to only a few such programs Nationwide.

“Mr. Brinkley has been a true friend to children and families of Western NC over the past 50 years. His leadership and inspiration have helped keep Southmountain solvent and growing throughout a time when many agencies faded away,” said Executive Director Chris Jernigan. “Under his guidance and support we have created some of the most unique and beneficial programs for children in NC. He has been a great inspiration to all of the directors of Southmountain and I, for one, could not have asked for a better Board Chair.”  According to Mr. Brinkley “I have worked with four Executive Directors and many dedicated Trustees during my time on the Board, and together we have tried to keep the growth of Southmountain strong. I’m honored to be a part of such a wonderful organization and very humbled to have been recognized in this way.”

If you would like to honor Mr. Brinkley by making a tax-deductible gift to SMCFS, donations can be mailed to: Southmountain Children and Family Services, 115 N. Sterling Street, Morganton, North Carolina, 28655 or visit their website www.southmountain.org.

Bill Brinkley & wife Linda


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Southmountain Children and Family Services Receives Janirve SUN Grant

Southmountain Children and Family Services was recently awarded a Janirve SUN grant for $9,561 for their “Forensic Interviews for Children Impacted by Abuse” project. The grant will be used for new recording equipment for the Children’s Advocacy Center of McDowell County. Children’s Advocacy Centers serve abused children and their families by coordinating child abuse investigations, including forensic interviews; medical exams; medical treatment and counseling. The main purpose of Children’s Advocacy Centers is to coordinate the efforts of the various agencies that intercede in child abuse cases; including Social Services, Law Enforcement, and the District Attorney’s office. Services are provided in a safe, caring place, reducing trauma to children.
Funding was provided by a Janirve Sudden and Urgent Needs grant from The Community Foundation of Western North Carolina. The Community Foundation is a nonprofit serving eighteen counties in Western North Carolina. The Foundation is a permanent regional resource that facilitates more than $14 million in charitable giving annually. CFWNC inspires philanthropy and mobilizes resources to enrich lives and communities in Western North Carolina. More information can be found at www.cfwnc.org.


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Southmountain receives over $10K in Grants from the Ronald McDonald House

The agency has received a big boost to our National Youth Project Using Mini-Bikes (NYPUM) from the Ronald McDonald House through two separate grants.  Ronald McDonald House Charities of North Carolina, Inc. has granted the agency $5,193 and Global Ronald McDonald House Charities granted $5,192 for a combined $10,385 in aid for the program. 

NYPUM is a national character education program that uses mini-bike activities as rewards for teens that meet individual character goals. Teenagers living in the Foster Care Community near Nebo participate in the program. The Honda Motor Company, Inc. provides the mini-bikes, and Southmountain created trails on their campus in Nebo, North Carolina for the teens to ride. The grant will pay for one year of operational costs to continue the program for the upcoming year. 

While some children are not interested in traditional sports and don’t respond to other types of services; outdoor activities and the chance to experience off-road motorcycle riding is very exciting to them. Integral to NYPUM’s design is a mentoring component that guides and supports youth to make good decisions. The goal is to provide a service that promotes youth development in order to impact youth in a variety of areas of personal development including regular school attendance; environmental awareness; community involvement; safe riding skills; and responsible citizenship. NYPUM offers youth the opportunity to develop self-esteem, values for daily living, and a sense of belonging using mini-bikes as a motivational tool.


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Annual Agency Christmas Parade and Open House

ALL are welcomed to our Annual Southmountain Children and Family Services Christmas Parade and Open House. The agency extends a big invitation to come join in the fun and festivities on Saturday, December 6, 2014 at our foster care community near Lake James/Nebo. Fun will kick off at 2 p.m. with a parade celebration. After the parade, everyone is invited to spend time visiting and nibbling yummy hors d'oeuvres with our families at our Open House. Come enjoy a great day with our facilities, families, decorations, and be sure to bring your camera with your chance to see and speak with Santa. If you need help with directions don’t hesitate to call us at 828-584-1105 or map us on the web at 7330 Myrtle Drive, Nebo, NC 28761. Merry Christmas!

 

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Grueling 50-Miler Gravel Grind Mountain Bike Race Lifts Southmountain Kids

The 2nd Annual Savage CX Gravel Grind put the strongest off-road mountain bikers to the test. The two-day event sponsored by Blue Mountain Revival Productions August 22nd and 23rd gave youth several chances to get up close to extreme sporting.

The agency was both a beneficiary of a charity fundraiser held during the event and a recipient also of generous participants who gave personal donations.  In all, over $450 dollars was gifted to help support residents in care.  Kids had the opportunity to meet the riders and to help run two rest stops along the 50 mile wilderness route.  A portion of the Blue Mountain Revival team also held a bike clinic where kids and families brought their bikes for free maintenance and repair.  We at Southmountain want to thank all the riders, sponsors, and donors for creating not only a challenging event, but also a fun-filled chance for the kids to be involved.  Better rest up and be sure to mark your calendars for next year as we look forward to the crowds and racers in 2015! 


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Pig-Pickin’ to Benefit McDowell County CAC

Marion, NC (August 27, 2014) – McDowell County Sheriff Dudley Greene is hosting a Pig Pickin’ on September 6th with all proceeds going to the McDowell County Children’s Advocacy Center.

The event will include kid’s games, face painting, live music and food. It will be held at the Ray Buchanan Field House in front of the Marion YMCA from 5 p.m. until 9 p.m.

The McDowell County Children’s Advocacy Center is operated by Southmountain Children & Family Services.

“We are extremely pleased that Sheriff Greene has chosen to help our CAC, known as Lily’s Place, with the proceeds of this event,” said Janet Curtis, Associate Executive Director of Southmountain Children & Family Services. “The CAC is a vital tool in the fight against child abuse in McDowell County. Working together with Law Enforcement, DSS, the DA’s Office, Juvenile Justice and other community partners the CAC has played a large role in prosecuting those who hurt our children and in helping our children heal.”

The cost of the event is $10 per person, with children under 6 years-of-age receiving a free hot dog meal with a paying adult. Countryside Bar-B-Que is catering the event.

Tickets can be purchased in advance by calling 828-659-5565.
 
Since 1903 Southmountain Children & Family Services has been providing care for children and families in North Carolina. It operates the State's first and only foster community near Lake James, four Children's Advocacy Centers and Evidence-Based Treatment Centers serving:  Ashe, Avery, Burke, Catawba, Caldwell, Madison, McDowell, Mitchell, and Watauga counties.


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