I have driven past the Texas Baptist Children’s Home countless times over the past 5 years of living in Round Rock, but never stopped to learn more about it. I am ashamed to tell you all that, after hearing all the amazing work that happens here. Today, I was humbled and inspired on my tour. The Texas Baptist Children’s Home is an amazing place of HOPE.
Established in 1950, the Henna Family of Austin had a desire to help kids who couldn’t live at home. They donated 112 acres and the funding to build cottages on the land, in a effort to create group homes for the children to live as “normal” as possible. As TBCH is 100% privately funded, children are privately placed here by their parents or grandparents for a variety of reasons. What sounds like a heart-breaking story, is actually a very courageous one, recognizing the need to find someone to provide stability for their children.
Today, 5 cottages are filled with families, made up of a set of house parents (a married couple) and up to eight girls or boys. The cottages are beautiful – with the exception of the large sinks in the kitchen and long dining room table, you would never realize you are in a group home that has the capacity for 8 children. The children go to school each day and are active participants at home, helping with chores & laundry. After meeting one of the House Parents today, I can see the cottages are filled with love, support, and consistency – exactly what these children need.
The Texas Baptist Children’s Home is a part of the Children At Heart Ministries, along with STARRY, Gracewood, and Miracle Farm and is a faith-based organization. Cottage families attend weekly church services, Bible studies, and church camp each summer. On site sits the beautiful chapel seen from the corner of Mays & 79. Built in 1955 and employing a full-time minister, the chapel is used regularly for Sunday Night services & bible studies.
Family Care homes are also available at TBCH. This program provides single mothers with a home to get back on their feet. These 7000 square-feet family cottages house up to 5 families. Mothers need to have a job or be actively looking for one, and many are going to school as well. These homes can assist up to 40 women, with around 75-80 children. You can image how much food, clothing, and diapers these families go through!
You see? Amazing work, isn’t it?
After seeing all that goes on at the Texas Baptist Children’s Home, you can’t help but want to get involved to be a part of the HOPE they inspire.
Well you can! By attending Art of Giving on Thursday, April 25, 2013 from 5 pm to 8 pm at the Art By the Glass Studio. Art of Giving is going to be a fun social event for you & your friends to mingle, learn about new businesses in town, and have an opportunity to give back to the Texas Baptist Children’s Home. The event will feature catering by both Krave Wine Bar and Bistro and Firehouse Subs. And we are asking for a donation of new, disposable diapers as an “entrance” fee.
We will feature an amazing raffle with loads of generous prizes from local business, proceeds of which will also be donated back to TBCH.
More details will be coming, but for now, please save the date for our come & go event.
