COMMUNITY PARTNERS ANNOUNCE OPENING OF EMERGENCY SHELTER FOR CHILDREN

ENTERPRISE, FLA. (July 4, 2007) - Community Partnership for Children and Florida United Methodist Children’s Home announce the opening of an emergency shelter for children. The shelter will be operated by Florida United Methodist Children’s Home and will provide emergency services to children ages 6 to 17 who have been removed from their home due to abuse, neglect, abandonment or family breakdown.

A Dedication Ceremony and Ribbon Cutting were held on Tuesday June 19, 2007 at the Children’s Home. Previously used as a residential care facility, Chatlos-Quillian cottage was rededicated for the purpose of emergency shelter care placement, which is the first of its kind in the area. The cottage, which opens July 5, 2007, has 10 beds and will provide children who need immediate placement with specialized educational, therapeutic, clinical, recreational and spiritual services. The emergency shelter will be equipped with the resources and professional staff to provide a stable environment for these children to be properly evaluated and appropriately placed in a timely manner.

“I am especially thankful for all of our partners who work with us daily to make good things happen for children,” said Ron Zychowski, CEO of Community Partnership for Children. “The new children’s shelter will enable us to offer a safe and loving environment for children removed from their homes while we prepare a comprehensive plan of care for them. This opportunity gives us the ability to better meet the needs of our children.”

“We are excited about adding this program to our array of services,” said Mike Galloway, President and CEO of the Florida United Methodist Children’s Home. “While we have historically focused on long term care for children during our ninety-nine years of service, we have adapted as the needs of children have changed. Children in crisis need, and deserve, the best we can give them as we help them cope with the traumatic circumstances that bring them to us.”

Florida United Methodist Children’s Home is one of four foster care service providers for Community Partnership for Children. The Children’s Home, celebrating its 100 year anniversary next year, provides residential care to school-aged boys and girls and provides Foster Care and Adoption Services to Volusia, Seminole and Flagler counties.

For more information, contact Miranda Levy, Public Relations Coordinator, Florida United Methodist Children's Home (386) 668-4774 ext:2403.
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