God’s Place BOB SMIETANA AND CRAIG PINLEY A look at the ministryfor of theChildren Covenant’s children’s homes

ROM AS EARLY AS THE 1880’s, the Covenant Church has been involved in ministry to abandoned and abused children. In 1883, Covenant churches in (then known as Mission Friends) hired Henry Palmblad as a city missionary to visit poor and sick Scandinavian immigrants. As part of his duties, Palmblad worked to provide food and other necessities for children. FHe also placed children in foster homes—taking five children into his own home. In 1886, Palmblad helped start the Home of Mercy in Chicago. Among the Home’s first residents were an eighteen-month-old girl and a six year old. In 1900, Covenant churches on the East Coast opened the Children’s Home of Cromwell, Connecticut. This was followed in 1921 by the Covenant Children’s Home in Princeton, Illinois, founded by the Central Conference. As the need for orphan- ages decreased, both homes started to serve, taking in abused children, and adding specialized staff to deal with the challenges that these children faced. The year 2000 brought new challenges for the children’s homes. While the Chil- dren’s Home of Cromwell celebrated its 100th anniversary, the Covenant Children’s Home in Princeton closed its residential program, with hopes of finding new areas of ministry for the future. Both groups also became part of Covenant Ministries of Benevolence during this time. This month, the Companion looks at the past, present, and future ministries of both the Covenant Children’s Home and the Children’s Home of Cromwell.

6 THE COVENANT COMPANION lect. The Illinois Department of Chil- Association. Covenant Children’s dren and Family Services refers families Some former residents even found a Home PRINCETON, ILLINOIS to CCH and CCH assists in parent train- partner for life at CCH. Carl and Signe Craig Pinley ing, researching community resources, Nelson met when they were growing up and homemaking skills, among other at CCH. They have been married for ive years ago, the thought of no things. fifty-five years and are members of the children living at Covenant Chil- A model program called Communi- Evangelical Covenant Church in Prince- dren’s Home (CCH) in Prince- ties Can!, one of forty in Illinois, focus- ton. Ray and Ruth Vetter, another cou- ton, Illinois, would have been es on community-based alcohol and drug ple that met on campus, have been mar- Fludicrous. After all, CCH had just come abuse prevention to junior-high and ried fifty-six years. off one of its best years financially, and high-school students. Another program, In the 1970s, increasing numbers of the organization was having an impact Youth Under the Influence (YUI), pro- abused and neglected children were on its campus and in the local commu- vides counseling and education for chil- referred to CCH. In response, CCH nity. CCH employed nearly 200 people dren who committed a drug or alcohol- became a residential treatment , on campus and had a $5 million annu- related crime. and was renamed Covenant Children’s al budget, and an eighty-year history of CCH staff member Susan Barlow Home and Family Services. Covenant ministry. During those eighty years, CCH teaches kids how to handle anger and Counseling Services was established for had cared for 1,700 children. get along with peers through a program outpatient counseling and community How times have changed. In the past funded by the Illinois Violence Preven- education in and around Princeton. “One of the things we’re trying to do is not be blinded by our campus,” Lundberg says. “We want to discover what the needs are and how to get those needs met, whether they are here or elsewhere.” five years, state funds for resi- CCH also began to provide in- dential care programs dwindled home support services for at risk and a major overhaul was need- families. Because funds were ed at CCH. On February 19, coming from public agencies, 2000, the CCH board of direc- attendance at church was no tors voted to discontinue its res- longer required, although chap- idential program. On June 30, the lains provided spiritual guid- last children moved out of the ance for the children. Children’s Home. In recent years, the number Since then, prayer and plan- of youth referred to CCH ning have been the major prior- through the Illinois child wel- ity for CCH. On July 16, a Cir- fare system decreased 45 per- cle of Prayer celebration gave cent, forcing CCH to repriori- longtime supporters a chance to Children at Covenant Children’s Home head to church in the 1950s. tize. Harold Spooner, executive grieve the changes in program vice-president of outreach min- emphasis and to pray for the future. CCH tion Authority. A key component is edu- istries under CMB, says that Illinois and has also operated in a “eliminate and cating children how to make better deci- many other states are directing more concentrate” mode, cutting the staff to sions under stress. Barlow also works funds toward foster care and less to res- fourteen people, and the budget to with two elementary school programs idential treatment programs. $700,000. for at-risk children. Spooner says that the ministry of CCH administrators are in the midst CCH suffered more notably when more of an eight-month evaluation process In the beginning stringent stipulations were put on resi- with Covenant Ministries of Benevo- The Sunday School Association of dential treatment programs. CCH is not lence (CMB). CCH executive director the Central Conference founded CCH alone in its struggles—similar Christian David Lundberg says that by June 30, in 1921 in Princeton, Illinois. At first service organization near Princeton have 2001, the organization will have “a busi- the mission was to provide Christian shut down and another has experienced ness plan that will outline who will be nurture for children whose families were major changes in recent months. served, how it will be served, how it will unable to care for them. For many chil- be funded, and when new programs will dren, CCH provided a solid foundation Looking to the future begin.” as they blossomed into adulthood. As the ministry looks to the future, As CCH plans its long-term future, One young man who grew up at CCH and CMB staff are looking at a its ministry to the community contin- CCH, Joe Ruklick, played basketball at variety of options, both on and off the ues, with six outreach programs. A Princeton High School then went on to current campus site. “One of the things homemakers program provides support play basketball at Northwestern Uni- services to twenty-five area families versity. He eventually played for the Craig Pinley is a staff writer for the Department deemed at risk for child abuse or neg- Philadelphia Warriors in the National of Communications.

JANUARY 2001 7 we’re trying to do is not be blinded by our campus,” Lundberg says. “We want to discover what the needs are and how to get those needs met, whether they are here or elsewhere.” A ministry for victims of domestic violence, a senior center, and an afford- able assisted living facility are among the possibilities for future ministries, though Spooner says that no definitive plans have been made. “We’re not anywhere near that stage yet, but we will be and we will be soon,” Spooner says. “One thing we can say for sure is that we hope some kind of min- istry that will come out of CCH. CMB resources have opened up things to used to control in my life...and I think CCH—things they may have not have God was saying through this that life is had in previous years or didn’t know fragile and that I needed to let God be what to ask for.” God through it.” Gary P. Bush, director of marketing Despite the recent changes, many of and business development at CCH, says CCH’s supporters have continued to give that having time to plan has given to the ministry, says Becky Strand, direc- CCH’s board and staff time to carefully tor of resource development. Strand, plan out their mission. “I think [in the who has worked at CCH for twenty-five past] there’s been a mode of being reac- years, says that reading letters from sup- tive as opposed to proactive,” Bush say, porters has helped raise her spirits. Know- “I think that’s because of the number of ing that people in the denomination can changes that has literally assaulted this envision a new work at CCH has helped Alumni of Covenant Children’s Home: (seated) organization in a short time. We can her dream again. Ruth Vetter, Carl Bergin, Signe Nelson, (standing) Ray Vetter, Carl “Okie” Nelson “I’ve been humbled by the people who have sent letters to us,” Strand says. fact, some have increased giving and one “There are some people waiting in the person recently put CCH in his will. I’m weeds to see what will happen next, but just starting to allow myself to be excit- there are many that are saying they will ed again. I think there’s something good keep giving as they have in the past. In out there that’s yet to come.” ❏

Children’s Home of Cromwell CROMWELL, CONNECTICUT Bob Smietana Scenes from the 1950s (top, above) n 1898, A. N. Pierson, of Pierson and proposed using the building as a attend to the planning process now Greenhouses in Cromwell, Con- home for Swedish orphans. rather than putting out a lot of fires.” necticut, was standing outside of a After the meeting a letter was sent For Lundberg, an administrator at nine-room house at West Street and to churches asking them to donate funds CCH since 1986, the past few years have IOlson Avenue. The house was vacant— for the home. The churches were asked been trying. In September 1999, his Pierson, the owner, wondered what to to consider two things—“the need for a mother died. A month later, he had heart do with it. He thought perhaps some Christian home for homeless children” surgery. He says that his personal strug- charity could put the house and the sur- and “the words of Jesus: He that giveth gles and the changes at CCH have given rounding property to good use. to a child in my name even a cup of cold him new perspective on life. He trusts Just then, M. Nilsen, pastor of the water, shall not lose his reward.” On May that the future of CCH is in God’s hands. Swedish Congregational Church walked 30, 1900, the Swedish Christian Chil- “More things have happened this year by. Nilsen also thought that the build- dren’s Home in Cromwell opened its than probably happened in the last twen- ing could be used to for charity. Pierson door, with room for thirty children. ty-five [years],” he says. “I’ve realized agreed to donate the building. That fall, More than 100 years later, the Chil- that God’s timing is perfect and I’ve had Nilsen addressed the annual meeting of dren’s Home of Cromwell is still caring to let go the control of a lot of things I Covenant churches on the East Coast for children in the name of Jesus as part

8 THE COVENANT COMPANION of Covenant Ministries of Benevolence. late 1960’s, the Children’s Home oper- The Children’s Home cares for about ated a small farm, and the children grew seventy children, many who have been most of their own food. abused or neglected. “The abuse and Many people who grew up at the neglect is not short-term,” says Dave Children’s Home came back for a 100th Carlson, CEO. “We are talking about anniversary celebration this past sum- chronic abuse and neglect—and that mer—including one man who had lived can be physical, emotional, and sexu- there in the 1920s. While they had fond al.” Other children at the Children’s memories, many told Carlson that com- Home have been removed from their ing back was hard. “When they left home school for their behavior, or have The campus of the Children’s Home of here,” he says. “they were given a little been in trouble with the legal system. Cromwell bit of a stipend and were sent out into The children, who range in age from together. When former residents return the world.” eight to eighteen, are divided into five to visit the Children’s Home, one of the Some went to work after leaving the units of about fifteen children. There first places they visit is the kitchen. Home. Some went on to college. Even are three boys units (juniors, interme- There they find food service director there the experience was difficult. diate, and senior) and two girls units Mike Nagle and long-time first cook “When it came time for Christmas,” (junior and senior). They live, eat, and Mike Porter. Many of the children help Carlson says, “they had no place to go. go to school on campus under the super- out in the kitchen after dinner, and the The holidays were there, and they could vision of residential counselors, who two Mikes provide a listening ear and not go back to their families and they serve as mentors and role models. They another place where children feel cared couldn’t go back to the Children’s Home also work with therapists in individual for. where they grew up.” The Children’s Home also works closely with families. “We have never said, ‘Give us the kid, we’ll fix the kid, and everything will be all right,’” says Steve Hodge. and group settings. “A lot of times kids will come back The Children’s Home also works here first when they visit,” says Porter, closely with families. “We have never a staff member since 1984. “This was a said, ‘Give us the kid, we’ll fix the kid, place where they could get away from and everything will be all right,’ ” says their problems and do something that Steve Hodge, who oversees both the made them feel better.” treatment and education programs at the Children’s Home. “We recognize Brief history that sometimes the environment needs By 1915, when the Children’s Home to be fixed as well, or at least the fami- moved to its current location on ly needs to know how to work with the Hicksville Road in Cromwell, there were kids when they come home.” seventy-two children and staff living One of the things that sets the Chil- there. At that time, the original home The Children’s Home serves residents age 8-18. dren’s Home apart is how the entire was sold off, and twenty acres of farm- staff—residential counselors, teachers, land was purchased. An additional thir- The Home served mostly orphans therapists, and the support staff—work ty acres was added in 1932. Until the until the 1960s. At that time, the Home started serving children who had been abused and neglected. Because of the special needs of these children, the Home became a residential treatment center, adding therapists and psycholo- gists. The learning center As many of the children had special education needs, the Learning Center was added in 1980. Hodge says that stu- dents often flourish at the Learning Cen- ter because they finally have time and energy to focus on school. “When a kid comes in,” Hodge says, “and they have been in an abuse or neglect situation— they deal with that twenty-fours a day. Jim Grandpre teaches in the life-skills program. When they are in this safer environ-

JANUARY 2001 9 the first time that I wanted to take The ministry of the Children’s Home more notes. I wanted to keep learn- is also extending into the local com- ing.” munities. The Learning Center serves In a look back to when the thirty-five special education students Children’s Home had a working from surrounding communities during farm on the grounds, Grandpre the day. An extended day treatment pro- recently started an small animal gram for at-risk kids is in the works. The studies program. His students raise program would run from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. snakes, birds, rabbits, and other and would provide academic support, small animals. “The students decide activities, and even family therapy. what kind of animal they want to Carlson says that being at the Chil- raise,” he says, “and they learn about dren’s Home has been a “wonderful the animal’s biology and reproduc- opportunity to serve.” He says that he Until the 1960s there was a working farm at tive cycles. They also learn about has the advantage of seeing former res- the Children’s Home. taking care of something other than idents come back and talk about the dif- ment, where they don’t have to worry themselves.” ference the Home made in their lives. that somebody is going to beat them or “There has been a common theme abuse them, they are better able to focus Support from churches through the years—when they have on their academics and other parts of Eighty-five percent of the Children’s come back, they say ‘if it wasn’t for the their life.” Home’s budget comes from the state. Children’s Home,’ or ‘if it wasn’t for this In one recent case, a child was help- The rest comes from individuals, church- particular staff member, I don’t know ing to care for his sick father at home. es, and other organizations. Programs where I would be today.’ Some folks have His father was on home dialysis and this like animal studies, a new computer lab, been able to say, ‘I don’t think that I eleven-year-old had to keep the equip- dance and music therapy, and summer would be alive today.’ I praise God for ment clean. “He was told, ‘If you don’t programs are all made possible by those this ministry.” ❏ do this right, Daddy dies,’ ” says Hodge, private donors. Covenant churches sup- “so he had a lot on his plate. Within six port the Children’s Home by sponsor- months, he had gained a year in read- ing children or entire units. “That is not ing and math, because he was now free only a gift support system,” says Carl- of all the other issues in his life.” son. “It’s also a prayer support system. Students are placed in a transitional We have people out there praying on a classroom when they arrive at the Learn- regular basis for the Children’s Home. ing Center. They spend from two weeks Sometimes you don’t consider that as to two months there, while the staff pre- concrete but I consider that as number pares their educational plan. From there one.” they are placed in one of three pro- For most of its history, the Children’s grams—academic, vocational, or life- Home was owned and operated by the skills. The programs were designed in East Coast Conference. That changed Mike Nagle, director of food services (left), response to student needs. “We were get- during the summer of 2000, when the and a resident ting students who were significantly Home became part of Covenant Min- below grade level,” says Cindy Sarnows- istries of Benevolence (CMB). Carlson ki, director of education. “Sometimes says the Home joined CMB in part to FOR MORE INFORMATION we have eighth-grade students who are make sure that the ministry would con- about the Children’s Home of Cromwell and Covenant Children’s reading on a first or second grade level. tinue for the next 100 years. He also Home in Princeton, log onto They needed specific skills to help them hopes that the Children’s Home can www.covchurch.org and click on learn the basics.” become part of a broader national min- Associations. Jim Grandpre, who has been at the istry. Staff from the Children’s Home, Children’s Home since 1981, heads the from CMB staff, and other Covenant CHILDREN’S HOME OF CROMWELL life-skills program. Grandpre worked in agencies are working to develop min- 60 Hicksville Rd junior boys from 1981 until 1992, then istries to local churches. Some of Cromwell, CT 06416 (860) 635-1656 went back to school to become a spe- the ideas they are considering are an cial education teacher. He says that many adoption resource exchange, a foster care COVENANT CHILDREN’S HOME of his students don’t learn in a tradi- network, and a network of Covenant 502 Elm Place tional way. counseling services. “Given societal P.O. Box 518 “I get a lot of kids who are classified needs which are growing ever greater,” Princeton, IL 61356-0518 as ‘school-phobic,’ and this program Carlson says, “there is the question of (815) 875-1129 helps them start taking an interest in how we in the business of mental and school,” he says. “I was writing some behavioral health can be a resource to Bob Smietana is associate editor of The Cov- notes on the board recently, and when our Covenant pastors and to their church enant Companion and a former staff member I finished, and one girl told me, ‘This is community.” at the Children’s Home.

10 THE COVENANT COMPANION