Merry Christmas

Can you imagine what it’s like for a child to be away from their family at Christmas? A child who has been removed from an abusive home environment naturally feels very isolated. At this joyous time of year, these children truly miss being able to decorate their tree with family and friends and enjoy all that goes with the holiday season. 

Residing Hope, formerly known as the Florida United Methodist Children’s Home, has been caring for abused, abandoned, or neglected children since 1908. And while it is better that these children are out of that unsafe environment, they still miss that feeling of family. During this season of their life, we become their family. And with your support, it can be a truly memorable Christmas.

Lily is a young teenage girl who had to be removed from her home after she experienced neglect and abuse from her biological family. When she first arrived at our Enterprise campus, she was experiencing some serious emotional struggles. Her biggest challenge at that time was being able to move away from her self-destructive behavior. Since she was convinced that her situation was somehow her fault, self-harm was her way of coping with day-to-day life.

Her therapist here at Residing Hope created a therapeutic care plan that included the support of the teaching parents in her cottage as well as her teachers at our Legacy Scholars Academy. They helped her understand that she was the victim and it was not her fault. Our trauma informed staff also helped her to replace her self-harm tendencies with positive coping skills. After almost a year, Lily has made considerable progress.

Lily now takes great pride in her ability to care for herself, from keeping her room clean to cooking meals in her cottage. She has also become active in the student government at Legacy Scholars Academy, and takes time to mentor some of the younger girls here at Residing Hope. 

For many children just like Lily, Residing Hope becomes the loving family they so desperately need. And isn’t that what we all want…to be cared for and loved? You can make this a truly magical Christmas for all the children in our care, whether on our Enterprise campus, the Madison Youth Ranch, or our foster care homes. In addition to making their Christmas joyous, your gift today can be used to help the children in many ways, including:

• The purchase of gifts to place under the tree
• Providing for a child’s daily needs and therapy
• The tutoring needed to get a child back on grade level
• Covering the fees associated with college and trade school entrance

These are just a few of the many ways that your gift can make an impact on their lives. 

Our children continue to depend on the generosity of individuals like you. It is your support that gives hope to the more than 500 children currently in our care this holiday season. Won’t you make a gift today?

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