A Friend’s House offers a wide variety of programs aimed at promoting wellness and growth for each resident. These programs are directed toward individual, family, and social areas of development, as well as experiences, that provide opportunities to overcome the many challenges and obstacles faced by children in the foster care system.
Engaging the Individual
Each child who comes to stay at A Friend’s House is dealing with some level of trauma. AFH is partnered with a professional psychological group to ensure that our youth receive counseling services throughout their stay. In addition, the following programs are available to our youth:
Academic Tutoring – Youth in our care attend various public schools in the Henry County School System. Our well-established relationship with the school system makes it easy to access tutors, when necessary, and offer a diverse curriculum as a means of enhancing academic success and personal growth for the individual.
Extra-Curricular Activities – We support our residents and their extracurricular activities as much as we possibly can! Whether its sign language lessons through a local church, a school sports team, band practice, or club meetings, we encourage our youth to pursue their interests – which often means extra paperwork and coordination!
Part-Time Employment – Eligible residents are supported in their efforts to find a job and work a reasonable number of hours. Our staff guides each resident in job applications and appropriate work attire. AFH supplies the transportation to and from the place of employment, as well as assisting with money management, savings, and budgeting strategies.
Engaging the Family
A Friend’s House supports residents and their families by offering placement for sibling groups whenever possible. Additionally, we host weekly Family Visitations for the resident(s) with their family members who are approved by the Department of Family and Children Services. The goal is always to reunite residents with their families when possible and upon the court’s approval. A Friend’s House strives to create a family atmosphere within our program in these particular ways:
Family Dinner Nights – We are grateful for community partners who sponsor group dinners at some of our favorite local restaurants. A resident favorite is the Homemade Family Dinner, where they all gather together around one very large table for a special meal prepared by our kitchen staff.
Movie Night – Choosing a movie to watch as a group and adding some popcorn and candy is a resident favorite. Often our community will supply the movies, everything from biographies and historical fiction to the latest teen thrillers.
Birthdays and Graduations – It’s so important to celebrate each resident’s milestone! This is an opportunity for all residents to come together in support of each other in a healthy, communal environment. We have community partners, Birthday Heroes, and volunteer groups who make sure each resident is recognized on their special day with gifts, cake, and love.
Arts and Crafts – Our residents enjoy participating in everything from jewelry making to painting to macramé. This invaluable exercise promotes learning, cooperation, and healing through creativity.
Engaging the Community
A Friend’s House welcomes community groups and individuals who wish to support the growth and development of our youth through cultural awareness and social activity; to help widen the lens through which our youth see the world, and their place in it.
Lunch N Learn – Professional community members are invited to our facility to share stories and insights regarding their profession. This program provides an opportunity to ask questions and learn about potential career paths.
Picnics – A Friend’s House has long standing community partners who host picnics with hay-rides and helicopter rides, cook outs, and more. Social events such as these provide a host of learning opportunities from etiquette to graciousness, not to mention fun, and quite often a new experience for many of our residents.
Cultural and Academic Outings – Trips to museums, art shows, concerts, plays, and historical venues take place as often as possible. Many of these ticketed outings are sponsored by our community members. Whether a local production by the Henry Players or a visit to the King Center in downtown Atlanta, our youth relish the chance to have a new experience or learn something new.
Faith Based Activities – Residents at AFH have the option and opportunity to participate in off-campus, faith-based activities and services if they so choose.
A Friend’s House is an Equal Opportunity Employer and Provider and does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of age, ethnicity, ancestry, gender, national origin, disability, race, religion, sexual orientation, socioeconomic background, or any other status prohibited by applicable law.
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