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Then Jesus took a little child and put it among them; and taking it in His arms,
He said to them, "Whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me, and
whoever welcomes me welcomes not me but the one who sent me." Mark 9:36-37
Today the tragic reality is that too many of our children are not being "welcomed." Too
many don't have the homes, families. Community support, health care, education or nurture
that they need to develop their God-given potential.
We hope you will want to reach out to love and care for one of these hurting foster
children. With your willingness and our support, you can make this world a better,
safer place for an abused and neglected child. How? By becoming a volunteer. The lives
of both of you and a needy child can be forever touched, by giving hope for a positive,
productive life to a child in need.
Statistics show that child sexual abuse occurs at an alarming rate. At least one in
five girls and one in ten to twenty boys will be sexually abused at some point in their
childhood, according to most reliable studies of child sexual abuse in the United States.
(Finkelhor, 1994) It is hard to take in this cold hard fact. It means that if you attend
a class of 100 people, between 10 and 20 of those in the room were sexually abused as a
child.
Child Abuse has become an escalating phenomenon that is hurting children from every walk
of life, and it seems to be happening with a more intense brutality. Now, more than ever,
children need our help and loving homes to grow in. Unfortunately child abuse is on the
rise.
Current data shows these alarming statistics:
- Each day five children in the U.S. are murdered by a parent or caretaker
- In South Carolina in 2002, 19 children died as the result of abuse. 10,875 were
determined to have been victims of child abuse by SCDSS. The US Department of
Health and Human Services estimates the actual incidence of abuse and neglect
to be three times greater than the number reported to authorities, or 32,000
children, which is between 3 and 4 children are abused every hour of every day
in South Carolina.
- In 2001 in Lexington County alone, 242 children were reported to have been victims
of child abuse, approximately one every day and a half. Head trauma is the leading
cause of child abuse among babies, including shaken baby syndrome. 25% of these
children die and the rest suffer brain damage.
The ramifications:
- Abused children are much more likely to become juvenile delinquents.
- Approximately 70% of incestuous fathers were sexually abused as children.
- Close to 60% of teenage mothers report having been sexually abused as children.
- An overwhelming number of death row inmates claim to have been raised in a violent and abusive environment.
The impact of abuse is far greater than its immediate, visible effects. Abuse and neglect are
associated with short- and long-term consequences that may include brain damage, developmental
delays, learning disorders, problems forming relationships, aggressive behavior, and depression.
Survivors of child abuse and neglect may be at greater risk for problems laten in life--such as
low academic achievement, drug use, teen pregnancy, and criminal behavior--that affect not just
the child and family, but all of society.
The Children's Shelter exists in our community to serve children in crisis, especially due to
abuse and neglect. Throughout its nearly thirty three years of ministry to children (who now
number more than 5,000) it has been in a partnership with a caring community to provide a loving,
home-like environment and the goods and services that help to "welcome" and heal broken children.
People volunteer for a wide variety of reasons, especially wanting to help others. But it's also
OK to want some benefits for yourself from volunteering. Some people are uncomfortable with the
notion that a volunteer "benefits" from doing volunteer work. There is a long tradition of seeing
volunteering as a form of charity, based on altruism and selflessness. The best volunteering does
involve the desire to serve others, but this does not exclude other motivations, as well.
Consider that most people find themselves in need at some point in their lives. So today you may be
the person with the ability to help, but tomorrow you may be the recipient of someone else's volunteer effort.
Think about how much you receive when you give and consider why you want to volunteer. You may have
several different reasons.
You will probably have some special reasons of your own. Remember that the motivations you have to
select the place to offer your services may not be the reasons why you stay. Once you're on the volunteer
job, you will continue to serve as long as you feel that your efforts are accomplishing something,
that your talents are appreciated, and that you make a difference. And if you also like the people
with whom you work, so much the better!
The needs at the Shelter are many and diverse. There is a need "to fit" anyone's interests and talents.
Please call 359-8595 for more information.
Volunteers from this community are very important to The Nancy K. Perry Children's Shelter.
They are the glue that hold the program together, and they exemplify "community concern and
action at its best." Without committed volunteers the Shelter could not provide high quality,
cost-effective services to the many children of our community who require emergency shelter.
Please give prayerful consideration to the ways in which you might assist the Shelter to continue
its tradition of service.
The categories of assistance which follow are suggestions for ways in which you might volunteer.
We believe that for everyone who has a genuine interest in helping, there is a need waiting to be
met. The following list is not inclusive and you may suggest additional ideas. Together we can negoiate
and tailor a way for you to use your time and talents to make a difference in the lives of the children.
- Think about your skills, what you have to offer as a volunteer and how much time (and when) you can dedicate to volunteering.
- Review the volunteer opportunities listed on the volunteer page of the website or ask they be mailed to you.
- and complete your application by filing for a criminal record, child abuse data bank, and sex offender registry screening, signing a confidentiality form, providing a tuberculosis screening and other requirements. No cost to you will be incurred for any of these procedures. The Executive Director has the responsibility and authority to reject any person as a volunteer for any reason.
- The appointment will also include a Volunteer Orientation which will include meeting other volunteers and Shelter staff, taking a tour, learning about our mission and the children we serve, reviewing rules and guidelines for volunteers. Hopefully, at the end of this session you will understand how you "fit in" as a volunteer at the Shelter. You should read your copy of the Volunteer Handbook and sign the back indicating you have completed it.
- We will always be glad to provide any additional training that is needed.
- Thank you for your interest. You will not only greatly enhance the lives of children you will help the Shelter in many ways and greatly benefit yourself.
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