Capital Campaign
Imagine a place where children in crisis receive services meeting their individual needs, in an inviting place reflecting financial stability, quality staffing, and sound facilities. That place is Epworth. This case statement provides the rationale for a capital campaign to assure the financial future of Epworth and the continuation of its legacy of life‑changing services to children, youth, and families in need.
Download the pledge form (pdf)
A Legacy of Hope
In 1864, they came by train… orphans…lost, bewildered, alone, and hungry, praying for someone to give them hope. During the Great Depression, their parents brought them in need of a safe haven for their children during a time of physical, economic, and emotional struggles.
A mission agency of the United Methodist Church, Epworth has evolved from an orphanage, to a children’s home, to a school and a residential facility with numerous outreach programs. Epworth has adapted to meet the changing needs of each generation of children. Today, some of Epworth’s kids come from the streets, others from abusive homes, some from the foster care system, and some from classrooms unequipped to deal with their special needs. They come with broken and angry hearts – lost, bewildered, alone, and hungry. They are weary and wary, longing to find their strength, and find a path to a brighter future.
Through an array of vital services Epworth helps children with special needs and their families reach their potential, works to reunite young people with their families, and teach young adults to live independently in the community. For over 140 years, Epworth has helped children stand tall and walk on their own as proud and valued members of society.
A Strength-Based Philosophy
How do you convince someone they are someone? Epworth’s “strength-based philosophy” is the conviction that every child has unique and inherent strengths. Most children coming to Epworth know a lot about their weaknesses and nothing at all about their strengths. Approaching each day with faith and open hearts, Epworth helps them uncover their strengths. Epworth’s innovative, holistic, and comprehensive treatment approach helps youth focus on solutions, build on inherent strengths, and communicate more effectively.
A Legacy of Service Delivery
As Epworth has grown to meet the expanding needs for facilities, programs, and professionals, traditional funding sources have changed. Even with the expansion of the funding base, Epworth knows it is also prudent to plan for the future needs of the agency and the children it serves.
Living the Legacy: The Epworth Campaign
To build a strong foundation for the future, the Board of Directors of Epworth has initiated a comprehensive campaign addressing: 1) the need for repairs to current facilities; 2) continuing to build a legacy through the endowment fund; and 3) strengthening the agency’s capacity for service and outreach through annual giving programs.
Living the Legacy: The Epworth Campaign assures Epworth the continued financial means to provide high-quality programs for hundreds of troubled youth who enjoy the promise of a brighter future each and every day they are with us. We ask the community to invest and engage in the future of children and young people who come to Epworth lost, bewildered, alone, and hungry and leave with personal strength and integrity, ready to face the world.
Maintaining the Legacy
Epworth facilities now consist of 13 buildings in 3 locations requiring updating and renovations to reflect our commitment to serve youth in a warm, safe, and modern therapeutic environment.
Sustaining the Legacy
In order to sustain Epworth’s excellence and to carry out its mission at the highest level, the Board has determined that Epworth must strengthen its endowment to build a lasting foundation for children in need.
- The Toy Mae and Ed Odom Building Endowment established to permanently supplement the maintenance budget without impacting programs and services; this Fund provides safe and secure facilities for the youth reflecting the warmth and care that is Epworth Children & Family Services.
- General Endowment provides funds to meet the daily care and personal needs of youth at Epworth – the individuals who wake the youth each day, make sure they have meals, clothing, and programs, and then tuck them safely and securely into bed each night. This also includes the funding to offer spiritual opportunities for Epworth’s children by providing for a United Methodist pastor on staff.
Fulfilling the Legacy
To maintain and exceed our standards for service, Epworth must continually build upon the excellence of its programs and build its base of community financial support. Many of the costs for individual children are partially addressed through contracts with schools and through the state social services system. Annual giving must cover costs over and above those met through contracts. Revenue generated by special events, such as the Pillar of Strength Award Night, the Epworth Polo Match, and Epworth Sunday is important to meeting this goal. Individual and corporate gifts to our annual operating funds are essential to meet the standards expected in our community – and the high standards we hold for our agency. Community and church support keeps the doors open to allow us to serve these special children and families.
CAMPAIGN TOTAL: $7,000,000
Download the pledge form (pdf)
EPWORTH CHILDREN & FAMILY SERVICES: MISSION STATEMENT
“In partnership with the community and the United Methodist Church, we offer a wide array of services to children, youth and families in need, strengthening the capacity of each to thrive in society.