Baptist Children’s Homes
(BCH) began with a single campus in 1885. Since then, the children’s homes has
not only evolved from its orphanage roots, but has multiplied its outreach
across the state.
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“Throughout the decades, BCH
has strived to always remain vibrant and vital,” said BCH President Michael C.
Blackwell.
“In the early 1900’s it
became apparent that the needs of North Carolina children and families could
not be adequately served through one location.”
Under the watch of longtime
BCH general manager Martin Luther Kesler, the children’s homes received a
1,200-acre farm and residential home located in Kinston. It became Kennedy
Home, named after benefactors, William Lafayette and Emily Kennedy, and was
BCH’s first expansion of its services.
Today, BCH has expanded into
18 North Carolina communities stretching its residential network from the
mountains to the coast.
“We consider the entire
state our mission field,” Blackwell explains.
“North Carolina children and
families face daunting daily challenges.
“We not only have to be
prepared to meet the variety of needs, but we have to be able to meet the needs
where they are.”
With the establishment of
Britton Ministries, a new group home in Ahoskie for as many as nine boys and
girls, BCH has a physical presence in all areas of the state.
“The broadness of our
outreach still comes as a surprise to many of our constituents,” Blackwell
said.
“Though we work hard to
communicate the scope of the ministry, often our friends only identify with the
BCH location in their area. People are amazed to learn just how much we offer.”
BCH’s child care network
includes four residential campuses, four group homes, two wilderness camps for
at-risk boys and girls, a residential ranch, three five-star Weekday Education
centers, and a home for single, teenage mother and their babies.
The agency also operates
nine group homes for developmentally disabled adults.
In 2011-2012, BCH looks to
add two additional group homes in Raleigh as a part of its Developmental
Disabilities Ministry.
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