Paragould shelter celebrates 25th anniversary
Friends and supporters of the Paragould Emergency Receiving Shelter, a home that provides immediate sanctuary for children in need of emergency care, recently converged to celebrate 25 years of ministry in northeast Arkansas.
About 100 people gathered at the Paragould Emergency Receiving Shelter for a 25th Anniversary open house Oct. 23. The Paragould home is one of three of emergency shelters of the Arkansas Baptist Children’s Homes and Family Ministries (ABCHomes).
Those in attendance reminisced of the Home’s beginnings and long-time ministry and toured the home and property. Supporters also had the opportunity to meet and mingle with current residents and houseparents.
The Shelter offers immediate sanctuary, day or night, and residential care until plans in the best interest of the child and family can be made. Residents often have suffered physical or sexual abuse, neglect, abandonment or destitution.
The 4,500-square-foot brick home can house up to eight residents, ages birth through 17. It includes four children’s bedrooms, a large living and dining area, office space, a large basement and resident quarters for houseparents.
Opening its doors in 1986, the Home was built and furnished by the Greene County Baptist Association and its churches. ABCHomes budgets, staffs and supervises the ministry. James Barham serves as the shelter supervisor.
During an open house, Barham presented Dave White, Greene County Association missionary, with a framed wall hanging, in appreciation for the association’s great support of ABCHomes. A group of residents used sign language during a drama presentation.
Over the years the shelter has ministered to at least 1,500 children and youth.
“The Paragould Emergency Receiving Home fulfills a definite need in Greene County and northeast Arkansas for shelter care,” said Barham “When children are removed from their residence, it can take time to find the right foster home for them.
“The Baptist Receiving Homes fill the gap for children in crisis by being the interval location.”
Among those attending the open house were Bob and Betty Kinnett, long-time house parents and Tom Stafford, retired supervisor. Stafford served as the shelter supervisor for 24 years prior to his retirement in 2010.
“The Shelter has been a haven for hundreds of children where they found love , safety and care by many houseparents who gave unselfishly of their love and their time,” shared Stafford.
Stafford says that he has many fond memories of children at the shelter. “It was rewarding to see kids achieve things that they never dreamed that they would do, as well as see kids who could relax when they discovered that they would have a roof over their heads, clothes on their backs and a warm meal three times a day each and every day,” shared Tom.