Our Residential Program enables children in the foster care and juvenile justice system to have a safe haven, and structured group home environment that gives them space for healing and growth during difficult seasons of their lives.
How Trauma-Informed Care Works
There are many children in this world, including our community, who have had to endure various trauma(s), and/or find themselves on a path to a life that holds little hope. Serving children during times of pivotal crisis is our calling. By offering Room, Board and Watchful Oversight (RBWO) cottages, our youth live on Vashti’s campus.
Some stay for a few weeks, but most come here to live until they graduate high school. We offer transitional housing for our graduates who opt to remain in the program until the turn 21. It’s the best way to ensure their successful entry into a community where they will thrive. Our “flight crew” of care takers work around the clock to provide support in several ways.
Our holistic approach empowers youth to actively participate in their healing process during their time with us. It is paramount that our children feel safe physically, psychologically, emotionally, and spiritually. When these needs are met, we get to witness stabilization of their emotional regulation, and tremendous growth in their mindsets.
We are devoted to nurturing our children by working with them to build trust and promote an environment that allows for growth and healing. We pay special attention to strengths in order to build a strong foundation for a positive future.
In tandem with our Community Program, the Residential Program helps work towards the goals of the treatment plan and providing the support and resources necessary to make positive steps forward.
The program is most successful when we work closely with families and guardians to ensure that constructive change is acknowledged and reinforced. Their community and support systems who are united and committed to raising healthy, resilient children.
Our children dream of peaceful, loving, and nurturing homes. The time they spend with us, growing and completing our program, allows for them to grow into their best selves and gives them the opportunity to learn the skills to lead a flourishing life after Vashti. We work with their families and guardians to find living arrangements that enable them to prepare to move on to the next chapter in their lives.
Program Activities
- Church or Youth Groups on Sundays
- Weekly Bible Study
- Character Counts Program (Thomasville Rotary Club)
- Life Skills Training
- Mentoring Program
- Public School Placement
- Technical School Placement
- YMCA Membership
- Field Trips
- GED Preparation
- Independent Living Program Opportunities
- Community Recreational Resources
- Tutoring
- On-Campus Events & Activities
- Coping Skills Training
We house 20 residential children, 10 girls and 10 boys in our residential cottages.
How You Can Help
MENTOR
Our children want to work with mentors. If you’re interested in mentoring one of our kids, email mentors@vashti.org or apply to mentor here.
HOST OR SPONSOR A FIELD TRIP
If you’d like to host our youth at your plantation, property, business, or farm, they enjoy learning about new things. They are able to travel anywhere in the state of Georgia. We would welcome you on our campus to host BBQ’s, music and smores and songs by the campfire too. Our youth simply want to spend time doing activities with good people who genuinely care about their wellbeing. Email us at events@vashti.org to discuss your ideas.
GOODIES & SUPPLIES ARE ALWAYS APPRECIATED
We created a wish list on Amazon to streamline the process for in-kind donations. Items on the list include, but are not limited to:
- Snacks
- Drinks
- Water Coolers
- Paper Cups
- Big Outdoor Fans for Summer Activities
- Bath Robes for Boys and Girls
- Led String Lights to Decorate Their Bedrooms
- 3M Wall Hangers to Decorate
- Small, Cozy Rugs for Their Little or Big Feet Under Their Beds
- House Slippers
- Twin Bedding & Pillows
- Faith-based books, and they love action packed ones too
Please ensure you provide your contact information on the gift receipt or email your order to donate@vashti.org so we may properly thank you. We appreciate your support.
Gift Certificates to:
- Restaurants
- Stores
- Movie Theatres
- Bowling Alleys
- Desserts Shops
- Grocery Stores
- Theme Parks
They love to get out and about to have some fun and do life. You’re welcome to bring those items to our Thomasville campus to the Remur Young Administration Building and we’d be grateful to receive those items for the kiddos. Please provide your information so we may provide an in-kind donation receipt and properly show our gratitude for your support.
COACH OUR YOUTH
Most of our boys and girls love playing football and basketball and they would love to have the opportunity to scrimmage with other youth, play in tournaments and any activity that keeps them active and focused on positive things. Please contact volunteer@vashti.org and let us know how you’d like to get involved.
TEACH SWIM CLASSES & LIFEGUARD
We also have a swimming pool and need a swim teacher and lifeguard during the summer months. We are open to hosting classes for the community to give our staff more hours for a more full time opportunity. This is a paid role. Please contact careers@vashti.org for more information.
COUNTIES SERVED
Brooks
Colquitt
Decatur
Grady
Mitchell
Thomas