Dedicated to helping children in need
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In a quiet little valley at the base of a small mountain, four spacious and comfortable country homes - each named for a disciple of Jesus: Matthew House, Andrew House, Thomas House and James House- provide Salem's boys and girls with a peaceful refuge. FAMILY SETTING It is a family setting which allows professional male and female Teaching Parents to help modify a troubled child's behavior by modeling and teaching social skills in a family setting. Teach parents complete comprehensive initial and ongoing traning, and provide crucial input as part of each child's Service Team. This close, personal family-type atmosphere emphasizes supportive relationships combined with structure and supervision. For instance, Bible studies and regular family meetings provide a strong foundation to complement each child's individual therapy...therapy which includes a service plan catered specifically to his or her areas of needed improvement. These "target areas" can range from showing respect, to accepting "no" for an answer, to effective and appropriate family interactions. Service plans are developed by the child's Service Plan Team, which includes the caseworker and counselor as well as other staff members directly involved in his or her care. s Leisure time may find kids and adults relaxing with board games or a good movie like Lassie, a Biblical epic likeJesus of Nazareth, or a National Geographic documentary on killer whales. Videos replace television at Salem, and are screened in accordance with Salem standards. Each house "family" may also plan a vacation at a beautiful state park, at the beach, or places like Busch Gardens or Disney World. s
Three of our four homes are long-term Group Homes for children aged six to 18, with eight beds in each. Salem provides a home base for many children long after they have left our care. s The short-term Shelter provides a safe, nurturing and highly structured environment for children in transition. These children may need a safe haven and restoration period after suffering abuse or neglect; they may come from failed foster care or adoption placements; they may be waiting for a place of safety following discharge from a psychiatric hospital or a residential treatment center. Salem helps kids to plan for a successful future and work toward reconciliation between children and families wherever feasible. s No matter how much they are loved by their Salem family, children also need relationships with caring folks outside of the agency. Resource Families take a child under their wing and show him or her a unique level of caring. This is an exciting and rewarding opportunity for anyone with a giving heart. In addition Salem offers a partnership with Big Brothers/Big Sisters. To see whether resource parenting is for you, view the brochure. Or email Jamie Kamp. s Salem's Summer Program includes all children in residence at Salem, and may also include Salem School students who qualify for the Extended School Year (ESY) services. In addition to typical summer activities like recreation, sports, gardening, and arts and crafts, ESY offers summertime academic support.
For older students, ESY is a Life Skills class. In 2006 the Life Skills class worked enthusiastically on renovations in the former Salem School building which currently houses administrative offices. s |
Behold, how good and how pleasantit is for brothers and sisters to dwell together in unity!- Psalm 133:1(paraphrase) |
