As the new school year begins, we are preparing our campus and our children for success. The Vashti Center for Children and Families is a faith-based, nonprofit organization committed to providing comprehensive behavioral health services to children and families in Georgia. We house 20 adolescents, ages 10 to 18, in our residential cottages, Oliver (girls) and Carruth (boys).
The Challenge
Our youth often arrive at Vashti with nothing but the clothes on their back, having just come from a traumatic, critical situation. The transition to a new place where they don’t know anyone can be overwhelming. These children have much to overcome, and it’s our responsibility to ensure they are equipped with everything they need to thrive.
How We Support Our Youth
At Vashti, we provide more than just a place to stay. Our dedicated team of caretakers, case workers, therapists, counselors, Chaplain, medical team, and staff members are our youth’s Flight Crew until they can learn to fly on their own.
Our team offers the structure, support, and activities necessary for our children to work through behavioral health challenges, substance addiction issues, and adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) 24/7/365 days a year.
We house, clothe, feed, educate, inspire, play games, practice sports, create art, provide spiritual guidance and encouragement, hold accountable, and nurture our children so they can focus on their future as they heal from their past.
How You Can Help
This back-to-school season, we ask for your support to provide our youth with the essentials they need to succeed in school and life.
Your donations enable us to provide:
- School Supplies: Notebooks, pens, backpacks, and other educational materials.
- Clothing: New clothes and shoes for the school year.
- Personal Care Items: Hygiene products to help them feel confident and cared for.
- Recreational Activities: Sports equipment, art supplies, and more to support their emotional and physical well-being.
- Outfitting a Bedroom: Help us create a welcoming and comfortable space for our children. We need new beds, dressers, desks, rugs, decorations, light fixtures, chairs, and more to make them feel at home.
- Welcome Goodie Bags: Provide our newcomers with essentials they’ll need when they first arrive.
- These bags include hygiene kits, personal towels, robes, slippers, new pillows and bedding, underwear, basic clothing items, and shower shoes. It’s important for them that we start off with a comforting and nurturing experience to help them feel at ease and welcomed as much as possible. We want to provide personally written notes from our volunteers and staff along with a journal for teens and a Bible to encourage them from the start.
- Updated Living Spaces: Our cottages need vibrant, cheerful spaces that are also sturdy enough to withstand teenage life.
- We ask for your support to update the living spaces, bathrooms, and kitchen areas to create environments that inspire and uplift our youth.
- Revitalizing Community Events: We need supplies and volunteer time to help revitalize our community events for the Fall.
- From cleaning up our campus and facilities in August to launching our Fall fundraising events, your support in providing items from our Amazon Wish List and volunteering is crucial.
- Working Technology & Infrastructure: Our youth and staff need updated technology, no more than two years old, from laptops to LED screens, mice, Chromebooks, and more. It’s difficult to operate in 2024 with outdated technology while running an organization with 70+ professionals and serving 300+ children in our programs. See our Amazon Wish List for the items we need or donate directly to our Technology Fund to equip us to upgrade our infrastructure.
- Chess Gay’s Book Club: This club has been established to support our children in expanding their minds and providing opportunities for them to dialogue about what they’re learning.
- Our Amazon Wish List includes journals and books we’d like to add to their goodie bags when they first arrive.
- Our goal is to create a Book Nook in the Carruth Cottage’s recreation space and add new shelves to our library so that our kids can choose the books they want to read.
- The Bookshelf has also opened its doors for our kids to visit and purchase books on their own.
- Text VASHTIBC to 53555 to donate directly to this fund or visit Chess Gay’s Book Club (givebutter.com).
Join Our Mission
Your contribution, whether it’s through an in-kind donation or a financial gift, will make a significant difference in the lives of our children. By supporting our mission, you empower us to create a stable and nurturing environment where our youth can heal, grow, thrive, and transform.
3 Ways to Donate
- Text VASHTIB2S to 53555
- Check out our Amazon Wish List at govashti.org/wishlist
- Give Your Way
Email us at donate@vashti.org if you’d like to coordinate a donation outside of the options listed above. We’re grateful for your support.
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