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Art of Quilting Class at Southmountain
Since last September, seven girls from Southmountain Estates have been enjoying a new hobby and learning a new skill—quilting! Maxine and Victoria Clayton from Bridge42 Church have been teaching the Art of Quilting class that meets every other Tuesday. Each girl is making their own quilt and they have also made pin cushions and small pillows.
This is an exciting and great opportunity for kids at Southmountain and we are very grateful to Maxine and Victoria for coming to Southmountain Estates to share their skills and talents!
Southmountain Staff Get Fit!
Since the fall of 2016, children and staff at Southmountain Children and Family Services have been focusing on fitness and health, due in part to a grant from the Baxter International Foundation. Southmountain purchased Garmin Fitness Trackers for all staff; and they have been using them to see who is the most active and to participate in competitions that focus on health. Southmountain staff have been working hard to get in shape, by using the new fitness room at Southmountain Estates, going to Zumba classes, running, or working out with a personal trainer. Rewards and incentives have been given to staff and children to encourage participation.
Let’s keep walking towards those 10,000 steps each day!
Children's Advocacy Centers Host Open Houses – Come by!
April is Child Abuse Prevention month and an open house has been scheduled for each of the four Children's Advocacy Centers operated by Southmountain Children and Family Services. While the open houses for the McDowell Children's Advocacy Center as well as the Children's Advocacy Center of the Blue Ridge were held in early April, there are still two that will be happening soon.
These events are open to the public; light refreshments will be served.
Burke County Children's Advocacy Center
Gingerbread House
408 South Green Street
Morganton, NC
The Open House for the Burke Children's Advocacy Center will be held on April 21 from 12:00 - 3:00 p.m.
Children's Advocacy Center of the Toe River
Ally's House
49 Rock Wall Lane
Burnsville, NC
The Open House for the Toe River Children's Advocacy Center will be held on May 11 from 1:30 - 3:30 p.m.
Foster Community Staff Complete Adoption Training
Southmountain Estates Program Administrator, Social Workers and Clinicians recently participated an intensive training called “Training for Adoption Competency (TAC)”. The training was provided by The Center for Adoption Support and Education and was hosted by the Catawba County Department of Social Services. The classroom training section began September 2nd, 2016 and ended on January 27th of this year. Participants will complete the program with certified staff members with ongoing case review and expert consultation until July 2017.
To quote the TAC training manual, “the training program was specifically designed to provide clinicians with the knowledge and skills needed to work effectively with adopted persons – children, youth and adults; adoptive parents and members of the extended adoptive family; kin who adopt their relative children; and the birth families – birth mothers, birth fathers, and members of the extended birth family.” Over 75% of the children that leave our care move into an adoptive placement. It is very important to assure that every adoptive placement has the best opportunity for success. A failed adoptive placement can be a traumatic life event for a child to experience. Therefore our agency puts extensive efforts into pre-adoptive placement preparation for the child and potential family, as well as intensive services after the adoptive placement.
Staff participants in the training included: Brenda Patton, Program Administrator, Social Workers, Melinda Norman and Kimbra Pendley, and Clinicians, Stephanie Dvorak, Sonya Farr, and Rhonda Soirez.
Today Only: Amazon will donate 5% of purchase (versus usual 0.5%) toward charity through Amazon Smile Program
If you have Southmountain Children and Family Services identified as your charity to donate a portion of the purchase through Amazon's Smile Program and you were considering purchasing something, today they will donate 10 times their usual amount.
Great news. Customers just ranked Amazon #1 in the American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI) with a score of 86. ACSI surveyed over 10,000 customers to measure perceptions of quality and value across retailers nationwide. This comes right on the heels of movies from Amazon Studios winning three Oscars and Amazon being ranked #1 in corporate reputation by the Harris Poll.
We want to celebrate the recognition, and say thank you for your support.
On Thursday, March 16 only, we will donate 5% (10 times our usual donation rate) of the purchase price of eligible products you buy at AmazonSmile (smile.amazon.com) to charity. AmazonSmile is a way to shop that offers the same shopping experience as Amazon.com, but every eligible purchase you make at smile.amazon.com helps support a charity of your choice. To date, we've donated over $46 million.
To take advantage of this offer—and to ensure that your shopping throughout the year benefits your favorite charitable organization—just start your shopping at smile.amazon.com.
Thank you. And, be assured, we'll continue working hard for you every day.
Seeking full-time Social Worker for Southmountain Estates
Southmountain Children and Family Services is seeking an energetic Social Worker to provide Case Management services to children in foster care living in a “one of a kind” Foster Community located near Lake James. Job is full-time with excellent pay and benefits. Applicants must have Bachelors Degree with a minimum of 3 years social work experience or Masters Degree in related field. Preference for individuals who understand and practice from a trauma informed approach in Social Work. Send résumé information to hrdirector@southmountain.org.
FUN FACTS ABOUT SOUTHMOUNTAIN CHILDREN AND FAMILY SERVICES
Did you know that Southmountain Children and Family Services began in 1903 and was called the Golden Industrial Institute? This school began in Bostic, NC in Rutherford County by Miss Emily Pruden as a boarding school for boys and girls ages 5 to 25. The school was dedicated to providing Christian education to anyone unable otherwise to earn a high school diploma.
Did you know that in 1919 the school was sold to Miss Ora Hull and Miss Bertha Moore for only $500? These two women opened their doors with a student body of 65 boys and girls including boarding pupils and children from the immediate vicinity without access to public education. In 1921, the name was changed to Southmountain Industrial Institute.
Stay tuned for more fun facts about the history of Southmountain. We will continue to post stories of the beginnings of Southmountain Children and Family Services!
Children's Advocacy Center and Center of Excellence of the Blue Ridge has MOVED!
We are pleased to announce that the agency on February 1, 2017 moved our Children's Advocacy Center and Center of Excellence of the Blue Ridge to a NEW location. The improved location is close to the old one, but we hope this site will allow us to offer improved services.
Our new address is 8076 Highway 105 South, Boone, NC 28607
Caroling, Caroling We Will Go!
On December 22, children of all ages from our Foster Community spread the joy of Christmas by caroling for friends, families and a local nursing home. About 28 children participated in this fun evening and it took a caravan of 5 cars to transport all the singers! The event was planned by Adam Scott, Recreation Director and several of Southmountain’s foster parents. Other staff also went along including Ben and DeLynn Garza, Keith and Debra Buchanan and Yvonne Vance.
Adam’s wife Tracy brought along Christmas hats, bells, shakers, and tambourines to liven up the singing, and the group visited 8 homes as well as Magnolia Lane Nursing Home, where the children brightened up the residents’ evening. After caroling, Adam and Tracy hosted a bonfire in their backyard and everyone enjoyed pizza, homemade cookies, veggies, and hot cocoa.
The children (including some of the teenage boys!) really enjoyed the singing. Some of the children had so much fun that they want to go caroling again, and cannot wait until next Christmas!
Southmountain Teen Attends Community College
Jamie Odom, an 18 year old young lady who lives at Southmountain Estates is indeed an example to her peers. Jamie lives with foster parents Ben and DeLynn Garza and graduated from Hallyburton Academy last spring. She became a full time student at Western Piedmont Community College in the Fall of 2016 and is working towards her 2-year Associates Degree in Art. Jamie had a very successful first semester and passed all of her final exams!
In addition to being a full time student, Jamie finds time in her busy schedule to volunteer at the Hospitality House in Boone for an impressive 40 hours every other week. The Hospitality House is a residential program for individuals and families experiencing homelessness and poverty-related crises. Jamie helps out by preparing meals, helping with office work, sorting donations and giving out supplies to residents. One of Jamie’s goals is to start an art program at the Hospitality House and her plan is to talk with the agency’s Board of Directors after she completes 1000 volunteer hours and establishes credibility with the program.
This year, the NC Legislature extended the age for children to remain in foster care from 18 to 21 and now provides state funding to County Departments of Social Services to help pay for the costs associated with young adults staying longer in foster care. Now, the door is open for foster children to return or remain in care and receive the assistance they need to reach adulthood. This change in law will benefit Jamie, and other young adults like her so they can remain in care longer or come into care between the ages of 18 and 21.
Southmountain is helping Jamie so she can be successful in college and prepared for life beyond college and the agency has helped her purchase a car. According to Jamie, “I would not change any of this for the world, and I wish I could do more.” We are so proud of you Jamie! You are an outstanding young woman! Keep up the good work!
Thank You Mountain Glory Quilters Guild
Southmountain Children and Family Services would like to send a heartfelt THANK YOU! to the Mountain Glory Quilters Guild of Old Fort, North Carolina for donating over 60 home sewn pillow cases for our children at Southmountain Estates, our Foster Community. The pillow cases are very beautiful and the Quilters Guild even took the time to separate them by age and gender. We would also like to thank Terri Davey, President of the guild and Kathy Taylor for delivering the pillow cases.
Art, Clay! Art!
Southmountain Estates, our Foster Community is so excited to be able to begin an art program for our children! Southmountain was recently awarded a generous grant from the Community Foundation of Burke County for $5,080. These funds will allow us to pay artists to teach classes, to repair two of our kilns and purchase art supplies. Several of our children are very interested in art and pottery and this will be a wonderful opportunity for our children to pursue their interests and talents. Thank you to the Community Foundation of Burke County for your continued support of Southmountain!
Southmountain Annual Christmas Parade and Open House
On Saturday afternoon December 3rd, Southmountain Children and Family Services hosted the Annual Christmas Parade and Open House at Southmountain Estates, the Foster Community in Nebo. Over 100 friends, donors, community members, Trustees, and staff, came out on the beautiful afternoon to celebrate the holiday season together. As always, the parade consisted of several floats decorated by our children and foster families who then rode the floats dressed in holiday costumes and singing Christmas carols. Also riding their decorated trail bikes in the parade were residents who participate in the National Youth Program Using Minibikes (NYPUM) program. And, as always, Santa made his annual appearance in the parade and then visited with all the children in attendance! "The small parade is our way of giving back to you, our friends and supporters," said Executive Director Chris Jernigan as he welcomed the crowd. "It's small and quaint and it's our way of saying thank you." After the parade, our foster families welcomed the community into their homes where holiday treats and goodies were served. The parade and open house were a great way to kick off the holiday season and for the community to experience the good work being done by Southmountain Children and Family Services.
Welcome!! Open House and Christmas Parade
On Saturday, December 3rd from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Southmountain Children and Family Services will host the Annual Christmas Parade and Open House at Southmountain Estates, our Foster Community in Nebo. The community is welcome to join us for this fun afternoon by visiting us at 7330 Myrtle Drive, off of Southmountain Institute Road.
City of Marion Awards Business Improvement Grants to Southmountain
Southmountain Children and Family Services was recently awarded two Downtown Business Improvement Grants from the City of Marion for a total of $1,000. These funds will allow us to make much needed improvements to two facilities; including replacing steps at our Children’s Advocacy Center and a new sign for the Children’s Advocacy Center and the Center of Excellence. Thank You City of Marion!
Southmountain Receives Janirve SUN Grant for $8,449
In late October Southmountain Children and Family Services was awarded a grant from the Community Foundation of Western North Carolina for $8,449. The grant funding will be used to purchase and install additional bathtubs for the residential homes in our Foster Community. Southmountain is now serving more infants and children from when our group homes were constructed, creating a need for additional bathtubs. The grant is funded through the Janirve Legacy Fund of the Community Foundation of Western North Carolina. Southmountain is very grateful to the Community Foundation for their continued support of our programs and services.
Successful Adoption for Southmountain Children
When children come into care at the Foster Community of Southmountain Children and Family Services, permanency is our primary goal. When possible our staff will work diligently with the children and parents in order for them to be reunified. However, when reunification is not possible, adoption becomes the primary plan. The staff of Southmountain will assist our Social Services partners to facilitate adoption so children can become part of a “forever home.” For these children, successful adoptions are a source of celebration!
One recent story began about 3 years ago when a brother and sister, ages 2 and 4 came into care at our Foster Community as a result of child abuse. Unfortunately, after lengthy attempts of reunification failed, the parents’ parental rights were terminated and the goal for the children became adoption. The Department of Social Services began looking for the perfect adoptive family for the children. Once a possible family was identified, Southmountain staff began the preparation process for the adoption. It is important to understand that most of the children in our care have experienced trauma through suffering child abuse and/or severe neglect as well as the impact of the removal from their biological family. Adoptive parents need to understand this fact and be willing to learn and apply the skills needed to care for children who have experienced trauma. The staff of Southmountain works closely with the adoptive parents both before and after the adoption to help them gain the skills and knowledge necessary for a successful union of these precious children into their new families. The last thing these children need is a failed adoption, which could have devastating effects on their already fragile mental and emotional health.
In this particular case, the adoptive parents began to visit the children at the Foster Community and began their learning process. They spent valuable time with the children as well as with the Southmountain parents who have cared for the children for nearly 3 years. The parents were very open to understanding the special needs of the children and to learning how to help them grow through their past experiences and into their new environment.
After the children were adopted, a Southmountain clinician continued to visit the adoptive family’s home every Saturday for several months to help the children continue to make a smooth transition into their new home and to complete the therapy process which had begun with the children.
The adoptive parents and Southmountain staff continue to work together to ensure the stability of the adoptive placement. The children are well adjusted, happy, and excited about their forever home! And, so are we!
Center of Excellence Staff Complete Training
Seven staff from the Center of Excellence and the Foster Community recently completed training that will expand their professional skills so they can better serve children and families. Rhonda Soirez, Foster Community Therapist and Jonathan Rhoades, McDowell County Therapist completed training for Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) through the North Carolina Child Treatment Program. Mary McKinney, Watauga/Avery County Therapist is expected to complete this training within the next month. Dr. Holli Sink, Director of Clinical Services for Southmountain and Danica Ciaramita, McDowell County Therapist served as Senior Leaders for the TF-CBT training. TF-CBT is an evidence based therapy proven to reduce trauma symptoms in victims in about 20 sessions.
Two other staff, Sonya Farr and Stephanie Dvorak, recently completed training for Structured Psychotherapy for Adolescents Responding to Chronic Stress (SPARCS) through the NC Child Treatment Program. Sonya is a Clinician at the Foster Community and Stephanie provides services at the Foster Community as well as McDowell County Schools. Brenda Patton, Foster Community Program Administrator was the senior leader, and Andrea Bradburn, Foster Parent, completed the training as a support person. SPARCS is a group therapy for teenagers to help them cope with on-going stress and the impacts of abuse and neglect. Danica Ciaramita also recently completed training for Parent Child Interaction Therapy through internal training.
The Center of Excellence provides clinical services in 6 counties in Western North Carolina including Burke, McDowell, Yancey, Mitchell, Watauga and Avery Counties and serves children and non-offending parents impacted by abuse, neglect or other loss.
Eulogy for Bill Brinkley
Eulogy for Board Chair William M. "Bill" Brinkley
by Executive Director Chris Jernigan
September 11, 2016
I am so honored to have been asked to take a few minutes to share some of Bill's many accomplishments during his 52 years on the Board of Trustees of Southmountain Children and Family Services.
I don't know exactly how long Bill served as chair but he was in that position when I came 26 years ago and, other than his mandatory one-year off every eight years, since I've been there he has always been the Chairman of the Board.
His accomplishments during all of those years have been nothing short of amazing.
I feel sure he was very involved in whatever decisions were made in his early years on the Board. But, I know, for a fact, that he was instrumental in hiring Ravon Smith who came after the long-time director Rob Williams, He was the main Trustee involved in hiring Doug McConnell who came after Ravon, and he was the person who allowed me the opportunity to follow in their footsteps.
He was a key leader in moving us out of the old, inefficient and no longer adequate rock building and dormitories and into the new neighborhood of homes built in 1994 and 1998. These two building projects were done by conducting two major capital campaigns led by Bill.
I remember so very well during those two campaigns how Bill would accompany me and Doug McConnell to meet with Foundation Reps and others (many of whom were just Bill's friends) to ask them to support building the new homes, gymnasium, and administration building. Bill would introduce us with that giant smile of his and then sit back to let us do our jobs. He never wanted to play "the big man" or try to make himself out to look good or make himself important. He just wanted to get better homes for the kids and knew how to get the door open and then let us do what he had hired us to do.
That's how he ran the Board as long as I can remember. Not to say that he didn't guide us, he just knew how to use his resources and he believed in allowing us to our jobs.
I shared that sentiment with Bill a few months ago after attending a conference where I heard so many people complaining about their Board members - especially those who had served what they considered a very long time - like 10 or 15 years. I was proud to tell them about my 50 - year Board chair who wasn't stuck in the old ways of doing things and who didn't want to control how things were run. Most of them were truly shocked to hear that. I think they were most shocked to learn how this "really old timer" had embraced the innovative ideas and programs we had incorporated over the last decade.
I will never forget Bill's reaction when I presented the idea to the Board about creating a one-of-a-kind foster community. It was so "out of the box" that I wasn't really sure any of the Trustees would go along with it. Throughout all of the discussion, Bill sat quietly. Questions were being asked, comments being made, but nothing from Bill. When it seemed like everyone was through with their discussions, Bill spoke up. He said, "Well here's what I think". And, my heart sank. Just for a moment I thought to myself "Bill doesn't like it, It's too far out there." Then he said, "I think this makes a lot of sense. And, I think this is the right path for us."
That was Bill, thoughtful...insightful...analytical....and willing to give it a try if he thought it would help children and families.
Bill also oversaw our growth in Children's Advocacy Centers where we assist in child abuse investigations by providing professional interviews and medical exams of child abuse victims. Once again, Bill could see how these Centers were effective and helped reduce the trauma child victims have to suffer. He saw how the families of these children benefited by coming to a friendly place and how the healing process could begin right there with us. Over the last few years, Bill would often say how he felt the Children's Advocacy Centers were one of the best things we have ever done for children. He was so proud that we were able to help so many children and families through these Centers and our clinical programs that run in conjunction with them.
Bill was proud of everything that has been accomplished at Southmountain and he never took one bit of credit for any of it. But they certainly were his accomplishments. It was his keen awareness of the community around him, his desire to make it better, and his devoted leadership that have helped to make everything we have done at Southmountain over the last 52 years possible.
A couple of years ago we honored Bill by naming the main administration building on campus the "William M. Brinkley Center." At that time a staff member interviewed Bill for an article about his years of service and this is what he said in that interview:
"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."
I am humbled, today, to have been able to have had Bill Brinkley as my boss, my mentor, and my friend.
Bill Brinkley's legacy will live on in the lives of his children and his children's children. But his legacy will also live on through countless men and women whose lives have been made better because he cared enough to give of himself.
May we all strive to follow the path he has left before us.
Thank you Mr. Brinkley, from all of us!
Annual Sonshine Saturday Sponsored by Enon Baptist Church
On Saturday September 10, 2016 Enon Baptist Church in Drexel hosted “Sonshine Saturday” for children and parents that live at our Foster Community, in Nebo, North Carolina. For over 25 years, this church has held the event on the church grounds and this year, about 100 people enjoyed this fun filled day!
Events included a watermelon eating contest, sack race, waterslide, obstacle course, dunking booth and a wheel barrow race. Other fun activities included an egg carrying contest, 100 yard dash, a relay race and a football throwing contest. Church members grilled out hamburgers and hotdogs and everyone had a wonderful feast in the fellowship hall where ribbons were given to the winners. Southmountain is so grateful to Enon Baptist Church for hosting this event for so many years and for all of the volunteers that made this day possible!
