Sponsoring Helps Kids Take Flight

The proverbial statement "it takes a village to raise a child" seems appropriate in describing our need for your partnership in the support of the children. The Children’s Village could not, nor would not, be possible without the generous support we receive from folks like you through our Child Sponsorship Program. We are deeply grateful for those who are current sponsors making monthly, quarterly, or yearly donations to help provide the basics such as food, shelter, clothing, and the ongoing operations of The Children’s Village. If you have been looking for an easy way to get involved in helping a child in need, please consider becoming a child sponsor. The Child Sponsorship Program enables you to make a significant difference in the life of a child for less than the daily cost of Coca-Cola or candy bar. As a child sponsor you will receive regular updates and progress reports on the children, invitations to special events just for sponsors, and current news about our programs. For more information about the Child Sponsorship Program, call The Children’s Village at 770-964-3309 or go to our website at www.christiancity.org. Come and see us at The Village…you are always welcome! Thank you for helping us care for these children! May God’s best blessings be with you and your family.

Making their Future Bright

The Children’s Village offers an "investment" choice that, in a very real sense, is ironclad safe—the lives of abused and abandoned children! It’s an investment that can last literally forever. Stocks have struggled, the housing market has been reaching for the bottom, but providing a child in need is an investment that yields immediate, long-term, and eternal dividends! The children benefit immediately with food, shelter, clothing, and a safe and loving home. These provisions and the influence of kind and Godly house parents, can change a child’s life for decades to come. Their children and children’s children will be positively influenced! And, when done out of love for Christ, this kind of giving even stores up treasure in heaven for you, the giver! What an opportunity!

The Children’s Village has a full spectrum of precious children to invest in: tall ones, short ones, small ones, older ones…each child is a rock solid opportunity to put your resources where they will not erode away. Sponsoring the Children’s Village is a way to put your funds to work in ways you can see immediately—and to lay up treasure for the life to come. Now that’s a good long-term investment. Will you invest in what matters today? Please visit our website to learn more or to donate online www.christiancity.org

The Children's Village in Need of Child Sponsors

The Children’s Village at Christian City is a residential, family centered program which cares for abandoned, abused, and neglected children who have no other safe place to go. The children live in cottages with full time house parents on the Christian City campus located in Union City. Most of the children come to The Children’s Village with nothing but the clothing on their backs, meaning the bulk of financial support for providing the basics comes from caring individuals in the community, churches, businesses and civic groups. Christian City provides food, clothing, medical and dental assistance, education in private and special needs schools, to all the children who arrive on their door step regardless of race, religion, or ability to pay. The most practical and convenient way to help is through the Child Sponsorship Program, a monthly financial sponsorship. For as little as a dollar a day, $30 a month, you can become a sponsor and make a huge impact in a child’s life.

Christian City has been caring for less fortunate children since opening the first cottage on Valentine’s Day, 1965. Over 1,000 children have called Christian City “home.” For more information about The Children’s Village or how to become a sponsor, please visit www.christiancity.org or call 770-703-2636.

Your Sponsorship Counts!

The Children’s Village at Christian City is a safe haven for abused and abandoned children. Over 100,000 kids in the state of Georgia alone are reported abused each year. The Children’s Village provides the children that come to us with a loving, safe, family environment where they can developmentally grow. The Children’s Village cares for so many children, and we could never provide care to so many without the support of our sponsors. Our sponsors’ financial gifts allow Christian City to be a place of hope for so many children in the state of Georgia. Please continue supporting The Children’s Village, and if you are not already a sponsor please consider being one. You can make a difference in a child’s life for as little as $30 a month.

For more information about The Children’s Village at Christian City, please visit our website at www.christiancity.org.

Rain Didn't Stop the Fun for The Children's Village

On Saturday, September 19th, The Excel Logistics Trucking Company hosted a softball tournament benefiting The Children’s Village at Christian City. Although the rain stopped some of the events Excel planned, the children still enjoyed a fun game of touch football in the rain. Christian City would like to thank Excel Logistics for hosting this event! The Children’s Village and our kids really appreciate everything that Excel did to make this a great event!

For more information about The Children’s Village or Christian City, please visit our website at http://www.christiancity.org, and don’t forget to join our Christian City Cause page on Facebook!

Football Fun at The Children's Village

The children at The Children’s Village enjoyed family time during a cookout with all of the cottages. During the cookout, the kids played fun NFL football games. The children really enjoyed having everyone together enjoying food and each other. This was a great event for them because the kids have all been working so hard during school; it was a fun event to reward them for all their hard work during school.

If you want to learn more about The Children’s Village at Christian City or to sponsor a child, please visit our website at http://www.christiancity.org/

Prevention Tips Against Swine Flu

With the numerous amounts of swine flu breakouts around the Metropolitan Atlanta area, Christian City and The Children’s Village would like to take some time to give you some tips to help prevent yourself from this flu season. Swine flu is a respiratory disease and has some elements of a virus found in pigs. It spreads quickly since it is a new virus and we are not immune to it.

The best way to protect you from Swine Flu is to practice good hygiene. By not spreading germs and practicing good hygiene you are ultimately slowing down the spread of the virus. Make sure to always carry tissues to cover your nose and mouth when coughing and sneezing then dispose of the tissue after use. Make sure to also sanitize your hands throughout the day with either soap and hot water or sanitizer gel. It is also important to get enough rest to make sure that your immune system is ready to fight any germs. The Children’s Village at Christian City is hoping that you stay healthy and safe during this flu season. If you want to learn more about The Children’s Village, please visit our website at http://www.christiancity.org.

Piano Lessons at The Children's Village

The Children at The Children's Village at Christian City are starting up piano lessons thanks to Ann Edmonson, who not only donated a piano to the Children's Village but also her time to teach the children. Studies have shown that learning how to play a musical instrument improves brain development, teaches discipline, and reduces stress. The kids at The Children's Village are excited for this new opportunity and are even more excited for their weekly lessons!

To learn more about The Children's Village or Christian City, please visit our website at http://www.christiancity.org.

Hope for the Children

“In their eyes I truly see a cry for hope. That’s the one thing that I have seen missing and yearned for in the life of nearly every single child and their families. Can you imagine getting up every day and not having any idea what’s going to happen in your life that day? Not to know if you have any hope for any people who care about you, hope for a future, hope for some success in your life, hope that you’re not going to be abused or abandoned. Can you imagine living every day like that? You’ve got to be committed to bringing people hope, to ministering to them. You’ve got to. I can’t think of any better way to sum it up."
-Phil Kouns, COO, The Children's Village

Child Sponsorship Program

Christian City has a new focus on fundraising through their Child Sponsorship Program, where you can become a child sponsor for as little as $30 a month. This is an easy way to support The Children’s Village and is very simply done with a check, debit or credit card. This is quickly becoming the “bread and butter” of their fundraising efforts and is helping to bring in new donors who may not be able to give a “major” gift all at once. It helps them to plan strategically when they can count on regular monthly gifts. If you are able to give less than “a buck a day” on a monthly basis, would you please consider this option?

According to Heidi Becker, Christian City’s Director of Marketing and Development, the greatest need is for operational support. “The ongoing expense of caring for numerous children is astronomical in today’s economy. Each month we get a little further behind as donations dwindle and our costs go up. Meeting our day to day expenses of gas, electricity, food, transportation and other basics is a struggle. Over the years, the Fayette County community has been very generous to the children who live in our cottages. Many have become child sponsors over the past year which is a huge help!”

Heidi says, “ Each child has their own story. Each come from such unbelievably sad circumstances. They did not choose to be here. But, God has chosen Christian City to care for them..and in the past, our Fayette County friends have chosen to sacrificially help. Our prayer is that in these lean times, they will continue to help us so that we can continue to serve these kids in the best way possible.”

For more information on The Children’s Village at Christian City access www.christiancity.org or call 770-703-2636.

The Cottages at The Children's Village

The original cottages built back in the 1960’s needed to be updated and replaced so after years of planning and fundraising, a new Children’s Village was built and opened in August of 2008. With a steady flow of new child residents, the cottages are always bustling with activity. KaBoom! a nonprofit organization, and 150 volunteers built a playground for the kids. The goal is to build “Polly’s Garden” a quite place for reflection, honoring major contributors and children past and present. The garden will have vegetables, fruit and nut trees, pergolas and a “Bricks For Kids” walkway. A swimming pool, baseball field and other recreational facilities are still in the “dreaming” stages and will come as funding provides.

To learn more about the Children's Village at Christian City, visit our website at www.christiancity.org

Sarah's Story

Sarah’s father was in prison and her mother was unable to care for her. She was raised at Christian City and now is attending Goizueta School of Business at Emory with the hopes of being a lawyer. Sarah shared, “If it weren’t for Christian City, I don’t know where I would be. I came to Christian City at the end of my 6th grade…I was twelve. I had been living in an emergency shelter, I remember it all very well. I was very mean and I felt like everything bad that had happened in my life was all my fault. My house parents treated me as their own child from the first time we ever met. Even if I was hard to get along with, they still loved me. We had a great life and were very connected as a family. My house parents encouraged me in my school work and in extra activities. When I was struggling academically, they hired a tutor. They were always there to help me with my homework, and then later to help me apply for a good college. I am where I am today, because of the positive influence of my house parents and of Christian City.”

To learn more about The Children's Village at Christian City, please visit our website at www.christiancity.org

A Look Into The Children's Village...

The Children’s Village cares for children both by private placement and from the Department of Family and Children Services. With a focus on family, education and healing, Christian City is known and respected throughout the State of Georgia for providing a program of excellence. They minister to those who are dealing with life crisis, such as the death of a parent, divorce, or sexual, physical, and emotional abuse. The program’s family environment allows children from every background to have access to a traditional family unit and support systems to help mend their wounded spirits. For many, The Children’s Village will be the only home some children ever know.

The children live in cottages with full time house parents functioning as one big family including daily chores, homework, regular church attendance and traditional sit down meals. Dedicated house parents are an important component of why the Children’s Village has so many successes in turning broken-spirited, angry or sad children, into productive, successful, good hearted kids. Many of these children grow up to become happy, healthy adults who live in Fayette County serving the community as firefighters, school teachers, air line employees or in the legal field.

The Children's Village at Christian City, Mending Spirits, Healing Hearts

I bet you would be shocked to know that every second in the United States, a child is abused. And, that annually, there are over 100,000 abuse cases reported in Georgia alone. Many more children need a safe place to live, free from the threat of abuse in the night, or abandonment in the morning. In 1962, some dedicated Fayette County residents came together with other like minded members of Southwest Christian Church to build such a place, and called it Christian City.

The Children’s Village at Christian City has for the past 44 years, been “home” to over 1,000 abandoned, abused, and neglected children! Christian City is a nonprofit, nondenominational organization that provides these special children a safe haven in a loving, family centered, residential setting. They also provide foster care placement in well qualified homes in the community.

To learn more about Christian City and The Children's Village visit our website at http://www.christiancity.org

Christian City is now on GoodSearch!

With the economy suffering, money has become an issue with families all over the United States including our family at Christian City. We rely on the support of our generous sponsors and donors to keep up the daily operations at Christian City. With GoodSearch you can now give back to Christian City by simply using the internet. GoodSearch is a search engine powered by Yahoo that gives one cent for every search the user does under a designated charity. All you have to do is designate the charity as Christian City in Union City and start searching, it’s that easy! You can also use GoodShop while you shop online at participating online stores to raise money for Christian City. GoodShop, a section of GoodSearch, will give the designated charity a percentage of the purchased amount at participating online stores. If 100 people used GoodSearch only twice a day for a year, then Christian City would receive $730! So what are you waiting for? Go to http://www.goodsearch.com and start raising money today for Christian City!

To learn more about Christian City, visit our website at http://www.christiancity.org

Thank You To Our Child Sponsors!

The child sponsorship program at the Children’s Village at Christian City is one of our most important and yet simple avenues of supporting the ministry to children placed into our safe keeping. It is because of the generosity and concern of our child sponsors that our 43 year old children’s program continues to be successful. These child sponsorships help us to provide a safe haven for children needing out of home placement, as well as nutritious meals, educational opportunities, and Christian house parents directing the spiritual growth of each child.Our children come to us for many reasons and most often they are not related to anything under the control of the child. Children are admitted into our program regardless of race, sex, religion, national origin, or their family’s ability to help pay for their care. Our ministry to children, God’s children, thanks those of you who have been faithfully committed to be a financial supporter as a child sponsor. Your generosity enables us to make a positive difference in the lives of our children! If you are not currently enrolled in this ministry and would like to be a financial child sponsor, or a child mentor, please contact Lauren Kosiba at The Children’s Village at Christian City 770-964-3309 or email her: lauren@christian-city.org.

To learn more about the Children's Village at Christian City visit our website at http://www.christiancity.org

Shopping or Donating Goods at Graceland Helps Children

We have all heard the expression “One man’s junk is another man’s treasure” when folks are discussing their “finds” at yard sales, consignment shops, and thrift stores. Some even say that “Things are better the second time around”. Well, we think you will find “treasures” and “bargains galore” and be a blessing to the children in our care.

Perhaps one of the best “treasures” that you may not be aware of, is that the net proceeds from the sales at Graceland Thrift Store are used to help cover the educational costs of our children at The Children’s Village. Many of the children here come to us with educational, and emotional deprivation. They sometimes have experienced developmental and educational difficulties that require specialized educational settings and assistance to complete their basic education plan.
Graceland Thrift Store is open for donations Monday through Saturday from 9:00am-3:00pm, and for your shopping convenience Tues, Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 9:30am-2:00pm. For more information about Graceland Thrift Store visit our website at http://www.christiancity.org or call Marlond Fyffe, Graceland Director at 770-969-9957. Come find your treasure!

Sponsorship Helps Bring Hope

Abuse takes many forms but it always casts a shadow deep into the soul of the child struggling to make sense of it. Children coming to the Children’s Village at Christian City are too often familiar with the gnawing pain of abandonment, neglect, verbal, emotional, physical or sexual abuse — and the fear and hopelessness that usually tags along. Rare is the child who can remain strong in the face of such challenges. Some lose heart, wondering if God is good, if He really loves them, or if adults can be trusted…or if the sun will ever shine again. Some become downtrodden and defeated, others may lash out.

Because of your kindness as a sponsor, our compassionate houseparents at the Children’s Village can put their arms around these kids and welcome them into a safe, and loving home. They begin opening the windows to their world, letting the light of Christ’s love stream in. They speak kindly to them, give them hugs, worry over them, help them with their homework, and provide food, clothing, and guidance. They pray with them, and tell them that God loves them...and that they love them.

These precious ones who have sometimes experienced more pain in their short lives than many of us will know in a lifetime, can begin to lift their heads to the light of hope, provision, trust and a new day. Child Sponsors make it possible for the Children’s Village to effect meaningful change to their future, to impact them in ways that will last a lifetime.

Your sponsorship funds bring needy children the things every parent wants to provide their own child. Safety, security, trust, love, guidance and instruction and the boundaries children need to feel safe and protected. For over 45 years, this ministry has received hurting children through it’s doors and embraced the privilege of parenting them as any Godly parent would their own. The changed lives that have resulted and continue to happen are a testament to God’s grace and the generosity of you who stand with these children, through your sacrificial giving. Please help us continue!

Visit our website at http://www.christiancity.org to learn more about our mission.

Simon's Story

Simon (not his real name) came to Christian City in dire straits.

He was wheelchair bound because of a progressive disease that causes bones to become thin and brittle. There was a chance that if he tried to walk, his legs wouldn’t support him and break, but if he didn’t start walking again soon, he would have lost the ability permanently. So it was terrifying to Simon to try to walk on his own.

Ever since coming to Christian City, the houseparents have encouraged him to try standing on his own while holding onto something like a counter or table, and then try using a walker inside instead of the wheelchair. The encouragement progressed and now he is able to move around freely without his wheelchair or a walker. He’s enjoyed playing outside with the other kids and has even danced for the first time at some of the Christmas parties.

Simon still has a way to go with strengthening his body, but he has made tremendous progress! This past month he even went with his housedad on a Christian retreat in Tennessee. Every day there was heavy walking involved and even the housedad said his calves were burning after one day of walking. But Simon never complained and he kept up with everyone, walking the entire time. He’s no longer afraid of crowds and he’s just as proud of his progress as all of the houseparents and staff at Christian City.

Way to Go Simon!

There are so many ways you can help our children…Please consider becoming a child sponsor. Your $30 a month will help provide a safe and loving home, food, clothing, medical care, educational needs and all the necessities of life to a deserving child. Won’t you please be a blessing to a child today?

http://www.christiancity.org

Out Of The Shadows Into The Light Of Hope

Sponsorship Helps Bring Hope

Abuse takes many forms but it always casts a shadow deep into the soul of the child struggling to make sense of it. Children coming to the Children’s Village at Christian City are too often familiar with the gnawing pain of abandonment, neglect, verbal, emotional, physical or sexual abuse — and the fear and hopelessness that usually tags along. Rare is the child who can remain strong in the face of such challenges. Some lose heart, wondering if God is good, if He really loves them, or if adults can be trusted.. . or if the sun will ever shine again. Some become downtrodden and defeated, others may lash out.

Because of your kindness as a sponsor, our compassionate houseparents at the Children’s Village can put their arms around these kids and welcome them into a safe, and loving home. They begin opening the windows to their world, letting the light of Christ’s love stream in. They speak kindly to them, give them hugs, worry over them, help them with their homework, and provide food, clothing, and guidance. They pray with them, and tell them that God loves them...and that they love them.

These precious ones who have sometimes experienced more pain in their short lives than many of us will know in a lifetime, can begin to lift their heads to the light of hope, provision, trust and a new day. Child Sponsors make it possible for the Children’s Village to effect meaningful change to their future, to impact them in ways that will last a lifetime.

Your sponsorship funds bring needy children the things every parent wants to provide their own child. Safety, security, trust, love, guidance and instruction and the boundaries children need to feel safe and protected.

For over 45 years, this ministry has received hurting children through it’s doors and embraced the privilege of parenting them as any Godly parent would their own. The changed lives that have resulted and continue to happen are a testament to God’s grace and the generosity of you who stand with these children, through your sacrificial giving. Please help us continue!

To learn more about how to sponsor a child at The Children's Village please visit www.christiancity.org