2020 Annual Report

KURN HATTIN HOMES for CHILDREN PO Box 127, Westminster, Vermont 05158 (802) 722-3336 | www.kurnhattin.org MAKING AN ACCREDITATION and LICENSING Independent School Approval by the Vermont State Board of Education MEMBERSHIPS and AFFILIATIONS Association of Fundraising Professionals Coalition for Residential Education CORE National Association of Social Workers The National Fellowship of Child Care Executives NH & VT Council of Charitable Gift Planners Student and Exchange Visitor Information System Vermont Business Roundtable Vermont Independent School Association Vermont Principals’ Association Kurn Hattin has helped me strive to do my best. It has given me the chance to do well in My life has changed in many school and residential life. Every day, Kurn Hattin staff and students live our core values ways. KURN HATTIN HAS HELPED in every way possible. WE AS A COMMUNITY SHOW COMPASSION AND NURTURE EACH ME SLOW DOWN AND NOT MAKE SINCE I LAST WROTE AN ANNUAL REPORT, WE HAVE SEEN home situations, they are not here for “treatment” programs. OTHER. We congratulate each other when something great happens. We all are building BAD DECISIONS. Being here has A YEAR OF HIGHS AND LOWS, BOTH AT KURN HATTIN All of these developments are moving us in a positive direction. our sense of worth and keep going no matter what. We persevere to be the best we can also helped me with my anger. HOMES AND IN THE WORLD. THE IMPACT OF THOSE Last March, Kurn Hattin Homes was impacted by the coronavirus be. We have hope for our futures. To me and many others, Kurn Hattin Homes is home.” Kurn Hattin has made me a better EVENTS HAS TRANSFORMED THE HOMES IN SUBSTANTIVE pandemic. We made the extremely difficult decision to follow - Benjamin, Grade 8 version of myself and I’m so WAYS, SIGNIFICANTLY FOR THE BETTER IN MOST CASES, the state guidelines to close our campus and send our children thankful for that.” ALTHOUGH WE STILL FACE CHALLENGES. back to their own homes. We continued to pay salaries and Financially, Kurn Hattin Homes has enjoyed the support of benefits to all employees during the closure. Our staff stepped - Gracie, Grade 7 a myriad of donors for years, and for that support we are up to the challenges of a closed campus marvelously. The extremely grateful. Direct donations account for about 40% of teachers maintained outstanding contact with children through “My son has attended Kurn Hattin Homes for the past 6 years. In June, he graduated 8th grade as the Class of 2020 Salutatorian. our operational expenses annually, and we are working hard mail and electronic media to keep learning going. Residential KHH is such a special place. They have become a part of our family. Everyone there is incredible. My son would not be the young man he is today without the love, support, and kindness from everyone at KHH.” - Grateful Parent to increase this portion of our income in order to decrease our staff completed innumerable cleaning and renovation projects reliance on the Homes’ endowment funds. We only receive in the cottages/buildings, as well as on outside trails. Our around 5% of our income from various types of government maintenance and farm staff continued their wonderful upkeep support. The largest share of our operational budget, about of the campus and found even more projects to complete When I first started at Kurn Hattin, I believed Because I was a part of the Kurn 55%, comes from funds derived from the Homes’ endowment during the closure. Still, not having children on campus was a I was worthless. The staff helped show me Hattin family, I was able to do so fund, which itself consists of money that came from individual sad state of affairs at Kurn Hattin Homes! It was a happy day I had worth. KURN HATTIN ALSO HELPED many things afterward. I learned charitable contributions. Without the endowment’s income and indeed when, in mid-July, the summer camp program reopened TEACH ME DISCIPLINE. I learned I had that I love sports and being active in support, the Homes would not be able to provide the program the campus to our children once again! Life was different as we In the service of children, musical talent, and I now play multiple general. I graduated Salutatorian of for children that we do, but our annual draw from endowment observed stringent COVID-19 safety protocols, but the joy of instruments, sing, and write songs—all my 8th grade class and was 79th in my income and funds is larger than is sustainable over the next 75 having our children back over-shadowed any inconvenience, and of which never would have happened if it class rank. I was on the Honor Roll, years. Still, we are grateful that the market (at the time of this the same was true of our August start of the academic year! weren’t for Kurn Hattin’s music program. and I was class musician. I didn’t writing) seems to be holding relatively firm. In July we were devastated and horrified by the revelations I was also able to create great bonds with play any sports in high school but The educational program began well last year with a census about two groups of alumni from the 1960s and ‘80s who came multiple staff members. My houseparent I do play them now whenever I get Stephen B. Harrison, of about 72 children. Last October we hosted the New England forward with stories of alleged abuse. We are unsure how long Executive Director was the father figure I needed and also the chance. As for music, it’s always Association of Schools and Colleges’ Accreditation Visiting investigations will take, but we must make this situation as helped me walk in my faith. Although there been one of my favorite things to Team, which was here to evaluate Kurn Hattin Homes for NEASC “right” as we can for all of our children, past and present. It is were times I hated it and wanted to go home, do. I’VE LEARNED SO MUCH ABOUT accreditation. We received a favorable review and responded crucial that we: 1. Acknowledge the pain and suffering of these looking back, I can say that I never would MAKING FRIENDS AND AND BEING promptly to a few of their suggestions for improvements. alumni and help them feel the love and acceptance that the be who I am today and where I am now if it AND STAYING TRUE TO MYSELF. These improvements included upgraded training and working vast majority of our children feel, and 2. Ensure that nothing were not for the loving staff at Kurn Hattin. I will always be a part of the Kurn conditions for residential staff, more health and mental health of this sort can or will occur again so that the Homes can meet New England Kurn Hattin Homes for Children Hattin family because Home is coverage in the afternoons and evenings, and enhanced safety the needs of children faithfully for another 125 years! We are has had a tremendous impact on my life.” where my heart lives.” measures (including cameras, etc.) on campus. All of their confident that both of these goals are being met thoroughly, - Liam Snowden, Class of 2016 - Jenitza Fernandez, Class of 2013 recommendations have been acted on since their report to us but healing takes time, and protection of children is always a last January, and we expect full accreditation from NEASC (in vigilant and conscious task. addition to our on-going certification from the state AOE) to be These have been, and continue to be, times that try folks’ souls. forthcoming any time now. With the impending accreditation Yet we know that our work has meaning and makes a difference of our school and residential program by NEASC, we requested in this world! Our mission is to transform the lives of children and were granted release from being a Residential Treatment for the better! That is what we have done, are continuing to do Program by the Department of Children and Families (DCF). today, and will keep doing in the future. Please join us in this This is a recognition that while our children come from difficult renewed commitment to help transform lives! MAKING AN IMPACT 1 The inner-city schools where we went Kurn Hattin meets many needs Kurn Hattin has shown me that I can be myself My grades have improved and previously are crowded. We get more one- in our society. As a longtime and succeed to any limit I push myself. The school this has made me want to do my on-one help here. Kurn Hattin has impacted volunteer at the school and environment allows me to show how successful work. My basketball skills have our family positively by allowing our older cottages, I have been very I can really be if I put my mind to it. OVER THE become so much better, and we sister to find a place for all of us to live, since impressed. Once you become YEARS, I’VE GROWN UP AT KURN HATTIN won the championship for the she takes care of us. WE HAVE ALSO BEEN involved with the children, you AND I HAVE BEEN ABLE TO ACHIEVE THINGS I first time in a long time. I learned ABLE TO EXPRESS OUR CREATIVE SIDES feel the wonderful love and caring WOULDN’T HAVE IF I NEVER BECAME A PART that I need to FOLLOW RULES THROUGH ART, DANCE, AND MUSIC. Kurn that everyone expresses. People OF THIS ENVIRONMENT. The Kurn Hattin staff and how important that is.

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