Gifts of Hopemurphyharpst.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/MH... · gifts this year was through theAmazon Wish List, a wonderful and easy way to support our children at the holidays

Newsletter - Spring 2018

Gifts of Hope

Winter/Spring 2018

MilestonesOrange Duffel Bag Initiative

VolunteersNew Cottage Supplies

HappeningsLeadership Atlanta

Lou Cataland, ChairGreenville, South Carolina

Rep. Trey Kelley, Vice-ChairCedartown, Georgia

Jackie Harrison, SecretaryRome, Georgia

Morris Henderson, TreasurerAtlanta, Georgia

Barbara Brown-CooperRome, Georgia

Scott CampbellCumming, Georgia

Martha CarrollAtlanta, Georgia

Rev. Larry CaywoodRome, Georgia

Kim CollinsVilla Rica, Georgia

Bruce ElderAtlanta, Georgia

John C. Ethridge, Jr.Atlanta, Georgia

Rev. Dr. Coy HintonWoodstock, Georgia

Mike MaloneyRoswell, Georgia

Tripp McKenneyAtlanta, Georgia

Scott MerrittCedartown, Georgia

Myron NewmanAtlanta, Georgia

Malloy PetersonAtlanta, Georgia

Wilds PierceAtlanta, Georgia

Steve PowellMilton, Georgia

Richard StollKennesaw, Georgia

Rev. Lawrence YoungAtlanta, Georgia

Cindi HicksCedartown, Georgia

Linda LeachmanKingston, Georgia

Dr. Mary Margaret Mauer, Immediate Past-Chair

Rome, Georgia

Rev. Dr. David NagleeRome, Georgia

Rev. Derek PorterSmyrna, Georgia

Sue RaymondAtlanta, Georgia

Tryphenia SpeedDecatur, Georgia

Our MissionProvide a safe and nurturing

environment where severely abused and neglected children and teenagers can

thrive and heal toward a goal of re-engaging with

society and leading productive lives.

1 Our Misson

1 Board of Directors

2 A Letter From Scott

2 In Review with Scott

2 Board Member Spotlight Richard Stoll

3-4 Gifts of Hope

4 Corporate Sponsorship

5 Orange Duffel Bag Initiative

5 Meet the Team Krtista Cooper, R.N.

5 Volunteer Spotlight Peachtree Road UMC

6 Leadership Atlanta

6 National Philanthropy Day

7 Future Events

Table of Contents

Contact Us

Ex-Officio Board Members

Development Office: 50 Hurt Plaza, Suite 1620 Atlanta, GA 30303

Harpst Campus: 740 Fletcher Street Cedartown, GA 30125

Murphy Campus (foster care office): 130 Grady Road Cedartown, GA 30125

Questions about this newsletter? Contact the Development Team: [email protected]

MurphyHarpst.org MurphyHarpst @MurphyHarpst 770.748.1500

2017-2018 Board of Directors

Murphy-Harpst is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer

A Letter from ScottFriends of Murphy-Harpst,

What a year 2017 was! Thanks to your dedicated and generous support, we were able to provide Christmas presents for a record 110 children! This was such a memorable holiday season for our kids and we appreciate all of the prayers, gifts, and support from our donors and volunteers. In Early December we received nearly 10 inches of snow, and our residents built a life-sized snow man! Thanks to our dedicated kitchen staff led by Ms. Joann, our kids were able

to eat hot, nutritious meals during a multi-day sustained power outage. The snow was a rare opportunity for many of our residents to witness how much our staff care for them; many chose to be away from their own families for several shifts to be with our kids.

As we look ahead in 2018, we have a lot to be excited about. Our partnership with Leadership Atlanta will come to fruition. The strategic planning initiative will guide us into a more intentional future. Miles of Hope will be a fun, fitness-oriented event for our supporters and friends. We are introducing a new, trauma-informed therapeutic model called Trust-Based Relational Intervention, or TBRI, which will allow us to help even more children and youth overcome traumatic pasts and move towards healing. There will be more opportunities for volunteers and supporters like you to connect with us in meaningful ways.

We are always so grateful for the friendship, service, and support you provide to our kids. Thank you for all that you have done and will do to help make 2018 our best year yet!

M. Scott Merritt | President & CEO

Board Member SpotlightRichard Stoll

Richard Stoll is the President of Huey Luey’s, and he and wife Bethany have supported Murphy-Harpst for years. Beginning as church volunteers at a birthday party the Stolls now donate food for several events each year, including our 2017 Christmas Party!

In November Richard hosted a Dine Out for Murphy-Harpst at Huey Luey’s Sandy Springs, donating 50% of the day’s total sales. A portion of each day’s sales of specific items goes to Murphy-Harpst, so his restaurants give back year-round. Richard’s brother, Bobby, is president of Cheeseburger Bobby’s. Each year Bobby hosts a month of giving at his stores, raising over $8,000 for the kids last

October! These successful events established successful corporate sponsorships and also allowed the Murphy-Harpst team to engage casually with supporters while supporting local businesses.

What’s NewTrust-Based Relational Intervention

Murphy-Harpst is moving towards a new therapeutic model to serve our clients. Trust-Based Relational Intervention (TBRI) is an evidence-based program out of Texas Christian University that trains caregivers to

provide effective support and treatment for at-risk youth. TBRI is a trauma-informed intervention designed for youth coming from “hard places” such as abuse, neglect, and multiple placements. By building and strengthening trustful relationships among our kids, staff and foster parents, we will be able to maintain an environment of safety and well-being while guiding them on a path towards hope and healing.

Nearly 40 Murphy-Harpst staff members participated in an intensive, two-day training to kick off this incredible new chapter for our organization!

building and strengthening

trustful relationships

among our kids, staff and foster

parents...

provided us with presents through donation drives, AngelTrees, and

sponsorship initiatives. Here is a glimpse of the impact just some of these organizations had on our holiday season.

Northside United Methodist Church’s 57th annual “White Christmas” provided over 200 gifts! Due West United Methodist Men raised over $13,000 to support our children at their 35th Annual Christmas Banquet! Over 100 congregants, friends, and Murphy-Harpst staff enjoyed an evening of fellowship and a wonderful address from Rev. Dianne Parrish of Kennesaw United Methodist Church. Burts United Methodist Church donated an SUV full of presents purchased by the church and its members.

Jackson Healthcare arranged for our kids to decorate blankets and cookies; employee Chris Tempfer was inspired to raise funds to purchase a pair of name-brand shoes for each of our residents! Local businesses banded together to purchase 20 new bikes for our kids to use on campus.

A new way our children received gifts this year was through theAmazon Wish List, a wonderful and easy way to support our children at the holidays and year-round. Dedicated supporters checking the list provided specific gifts to new admissions coming to us the week before Christmas. Both of Terry’s posters were purchased by an individual donor off the Amazon Wish List.

“Ms. Pam?” Terry called. She sat down next to Terry, wondering what this exuberant kid would say. He whispered, “Hope I don’t have any nightmares, ’cause this shark looks like it is

3 | Cover Story

Gifts of Hope“Ms. Pam, Ms. Pam! You’ve got to come and see my room! It’s almost finished! Bring some tape!” Days after Christmas, Terry was still bursting with excitement. Between his recreation schedule, therapy appointments, and general activities, Terry had redecorated his room in Nellie Cottage. Wearing his new gold cross necklace, he ran to show Director of Community Engagement Pam Kramer all his progress. Pam grabbed some tape, and they were off.

Terry was ready to show everyone his new digs. He was so proud of his LEGO creations and two new posters—sharks and dinosaurs. With Pam’s tape (and height!) to hang Terry’s posters, and his room was complete! While he also received essentials for Christmas (pajamas, books, games, therapeutic tools, etc.), Terry was most proud of the gold cross necklace he had specifically requested.

Thanks to the overwhelming generosity of our supporters, Murphy-Harpst provided Christmas gifts to a record-breaking 110 children like Terry. This year, every kid’s wish list was fulfilled! Staff shopped all over town to ensure that even our newest kids received the Christmas they deserved. Each gift was carefully sorted and beautifully wrapped by dedicated volunteers from Due West United Methodist Church—a multi-year tradition!

Thirty churches, Sunday School classes, and corporations

Ms. Pam, Ms. Pam! You’ve got to come and see my room!

It’s almost finished! Bring some tape!

Murphy-Harpst needs dynamic advocates to serve as Corporate Sponsors for the 2017-2018 fiscal year. Please help us provide an environment where Georgia’s most vulnerable children can thrive and heal, while your organization receives the benefits of community involvement and servant leadership. We have three levels of sponsorship so your company can get involved in a meaningful way.

Corporate Sponsors as of February 1, 2018

GOLD LEVEL Cruser Mitchell | Huey Luey’s & Cheeseburger Bobby’s

ProCom Consulting | Shiver Hamilton

SILVER LEVEL Georgia Power Citizens | Jackson Healthcare

Oglethorpe Power

BRONZE LEVEL Foxgloves Antiques & Galleries LLC

Henderson Electric | Rising Roll | TRUiST

OTHER SPONSORS Ace Hardware | Arco Ideas & Design | Brinson Askew

Berry Siegler Richardson & Davis LLP | Chattahoochee Windows & Doors Davis Core and Pad Design Associates Architects Inc.

El Nopal Mexican Restaurant | Equifax Haynes Heating & Air Conditioning Inc. | Henson’s 24 Hour Wrecking Service

Hoover Foods Inc. | The Hope Store, JCI Associates Inc. J. Jardina Company Inc. | Krause Wealth Management Group Inc.

Musser Sales | Network for Good | Nielsen Group LLC Quest Tower Corp. | RSUI Group Inc. | Sheats Structural Consulting Inc.

Suntrust United Way Campaign | West Avenue Barber Shop What’s New Consignment Boutique | YourCause

Interested in becoming a Corporate Sponsor? Visit murphyharpst.org/corporate or contact Pam

Kramer, Director of Community Engagement: 404.376.2723 [email protected]

Corporate Sponsorship

going to eat me.” Moments like these remind us how sweet and innocent our

kids really are, as well as why we do the work that we do.Thank you all for making Christmas 2017 a phenomenal success for the kids at Murphy-Harpst!

Orange Duffel Bag InitiativeIn November 2017, nine of our residents graduated from the Orange Duffel Bag Initiative (ODBI). These young persons completed a rigorous 12-week schedule of after-school meetings to build up their life skills, receiving a laptop and an orange duffel bag upon completion of the program!

ODBI is a non-profit organization providing at-risk teens and young adults programs proven to improve their education success, ongoing advocacy, support to their guardians and caring adults, and service to the community in a spirit of offering hope and positive systemic change.

We are so proud of these young adults working to improve themselves. One of our former residents actually returned as a student instructor! ODBI is a wonderful partner of Murphy-Harpst, and we look forward to more successful graduates!

Volunteer SpotlightPeachtree Road United Methodist Church

Peachtree Road United Methodist Church selected Murphy-Harpst as a beneficiary of its annual Christmas Kindness Project. Coordinated by Beth Spencer, our personal shoppers Dawn and Lisa spent several hours selecting household necessities for our cottages. A special thank you to board member John Ethridge for introducing us to this wonderful opportunity!

PRUMC’s generosity resulted in a U-Haul full of contributions to make the lives of our kids and cottage staff brighter. We received bedding for 70 beds, cookware, dishes, silverware, towels, tablecloths, crock-pots, and more for our five cottages. Melodnie Walker (Interim Director of the Transitional Living Program) has even taught our TLP kids how to fry fish in the new electric skillets!

Meet the TeamKrista Cooper, R.N.

Krista Cooper is a registered nurse at Murphy-Harpst. She performs different duties every day, ranging from new admission health assessments to medication assessment and physicals. Krista’s kind demeanor and sense of humor make her a friend to our staff and a comfort to our kids.

A source of encouragement and fun, Krista is constantly snapping pictures for social media and keeping staff in the loop with the happenings at Murphy-Harpst. Krista works diligently to ensure honest and open communication among the disciplines on campus.

Krista came to us in 1985 as a two-year Mission volunteer with the United Methodist Church. She then joined the Murphy-Harpst staff and never left! How does she do it all? “In spite of the challenges from outside, nothing beats getting a hug from a child who has been comforted, or hearing a former resident tell how he has succeeded in his life, or hearing a child say, ‘Nobody in my life has ever cared enough to make sure I have gotten medical care. Thank you!’”

5 | Spotlights

nothing beats getting a hug from a child who has been comforted...

Leadership AtlantaLeadership Atlanta selected Murphy-Harpst as one of 10 non-profits for their annual service projects! A team of 12 dynamic leaders from across Metro-Atlanta is working with our development team and board of directors to develop and implement a Brand Strategy to increase awareness and support for Murphy-Harpst.

Leadership Atlanta is a nine-month, executive-level leadership program focused on building better communities. Participants explore critical community issues, examine themselves as leaders and build relationships of trust and mutual understanding.

Our team visited campus in September 2017 to tour our facilities, meet residents and staff, and dive into our mission and purpose. We look forward to the results of their hard work!

National Philanthropy DayOur development team participated in the National Philanthropy Day Luncheon at the Georgia Aquarium last November. At this event the Association of Fundraising Professionals recognizes individuals, organizations, and youths going above-and-beyond in their service and

6

philanthropic endeavors. It is a wonderful opportunity to network with other fundraisers an increase exposure of Murphy-Harpst to other organizations and potential supporters.

Vice President of Development Brian Scales was Sponsorship Co-Chair for the event. Associate Director of Development James Waddey and Marketing and Communications Manager Claire Wood served as volunteers. Brian is also on the Board of Directors of the AFP’s Atlanta chapter.

Murphy-Harpst Children’s Centers740 Fletcher StreetCedartown, GA 30125

Thanks to our donors and supporters, Murphy-Harpst

provided Christmas gifts to a record-breaking 110 children.

Upcoming Events Miles of Hope Saturday, May 19

This year’s 5th Annual Miles of Hope will be held on Saturday, May 19th on the Silver Comet Trail in Cedartown!

The 2017 Miles of Hope ride raised $3000 for the kids at Murphy-Harpst, logging a record breaking 2,500 miles from 125 riders and walkers.

Individuals and teams interested in the Miles of Hope Ride or Walk can contact Scott Fuller: [email protected] for more information.

Corporate Sponsors interested in the event can contact Pam Kramer: [email protected]