Thornwell

IN 2021, THORNWELL SERVED 2100+ FAMILIES ACROSS FLORIDA, GEORGIA, AND SOUTH CAROLINA. OUR UNIQUE CONTINUUM OF CARE ALLOWS US TO COME ALONGSIDE CHILDREN AND FAMILIES AS AN EMPOWERING PARTNER TO NURTURE, ENCOURAGE, ENRICH, AND ADVOCATE FOR THEM ON THEIR JOURNEY.

RESIDENTIAL SERVICES: 92 CHILDREN BETWEEN THE AGES OF 12 AND 23 WERE SERVED IN 2021. FOR 145 YEARS, THORNWELL HAS BEEN A SAFE AND WELCOMING PLACE FOR CHILDREN AND YOUTH WHOSE LIVES HAVE BEEN SHATTERED BY ABUSE, NEGLECT, DISPLACEMENT, AND ABANDONMENT. SOME ARE PLACED HERE BY THE STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA. OTHERS HAVE BEEN ADOPTED BY FAMILIES BUT HAVE STRUGGLED TO OVERCOME THEIR TRAUMA. CHILDREN LIVING ON THE THORNWELL CAMPUS ARE PROVIDED WITH LOVING CHRISTIAN HOMES, NUTRITIOUS MEALS, CLOTHING, EDUCATIONAL SUPPORT, MEDICAL AND DENTAL CARE, AND MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELING (59 CHILDREN RECEIVED COUNSELING SERVICES IN 2021) TO HELP THEM HEAL FROM THE TRAUMAS THEY HAVE EXPERIENCED. THORNWELL HAS A PARTNERSHIP WITH AN EQUINE THERAPEUTIC RIDING PROGRAM, AN ART THERAPIST, AND A DRAMA THERAPIST TO GIVE CHILDREN OTHER WAYS IN WHICH THEY CAN MANAGE FEELINGS AND PROCESS PAST TRAUMA. IN ADDITION, THORNWELL USES THE EVIDENCE-BASED TRUST BASED RELATIONAL INTERVENTION MODEL TO CREATE A THERAPEUTIC MILIEU WHICH CAN HELP OUR YOUNG PEOPLE HEAL ATTACHMENT WOUNDS AND DEVELOP AN ABILITY TO FORM STRONG, SUPPORTIVE RELATIONSHIPS.

COMMUNITY BASED SERVICES:BUILDING FAMILIES - THORNWELL'S COMMUNITY-BASED FAMILY INTERVENTION OPERATES PROGRAM SITES IN: -GREENVILLE (2 SITES, 1 OPEN POSITION), COLUMBIA, MYRTLE BEACH, AND CHARLESTON, SC-ROSWELL, LILBURN, TUCKER (1 POSITION OPEN FOR A 3RD SITE), AND SAVANNAH, GA -QUINCY, CLEARWATER (1 POSITION OPEN), AND TAMPA (2 SITES), FLTHE BUILDING FAMILIES PROGRAM CONTINUES TO PROVIDE IN-HOME COUNSELING TO CHILDREN AND THEIR FAMILIES, WITH THE MISSION OF PROVIDING HIGH-QUALITY, TRAUMA INFORMED, ATTACHMENT FOCUSED CLINICAL INTERVENTION. WE ALSO OFFER PARENTING CLASSES AND GROUP WORKSHOPS (BOTH IN PERSON AND VIRTUALLY) WHICH ARE OPEN TO THE COMMUNITY. DURING 2021, THE BUILDING FAMILIES PROGRAM BEGAN TO RETURN TO OFFERING IN HOME SERVICES, WHILE CONTINUING TO FOLLOW CDC GUIDELINES. VIRTUAL ONLY SERVICES, AS WELL AS A HYBRID MODEL OF IN HOME AND VIRTUAL COUNSELING, ARE NOW ONGOING OPTIONS WITHIN OUR PROGRAM, ALLOWING FOR EVEN GREATER ACCOMMODATIONS TO BE MADE FOR BUSY FAMILY SCHEDULES AND FLUCTUATING CONCERNS OF ILLNESS. IN 2021, OUR PROGRAM SERVED A TOTAL OF 1,471 FAMILY MEMBERS. 2021 SAW, ON AVERAGE, AN INCREASE IN FAMILIES SERVED AND GROUP OFFERINGS PROVIDED PER COUNSELOR, HOWEVER DUE TO A FEW OPEN VACANCIES, OUR NUMBERS SERVED WERE RELATIVELY CLOSE TO 2020 (TOTAL OF 1,473 FAMILY MEMBERS WERE SERVED IN 2020). 2021 DID PRESENT CHALLENGES IN TERMS OF HIRING QUALIFIED CANDIDATES AND OUR PROGRAM EXPERIENCED UNUSUALLY PROLONGED STAFF VACANCIES.IN 2021, BUILDING FAMILIES SERVED CHILDREN AND FAMILIES IN THE FOLLOWING WAYS:- 44 WORKSHOPS/GROUPS WERE PROVIDED TO CAREGIVERS- 7 EIGHT-WEEK PARENTING CLASS SERIES WERE COMPLETED- 86 FAMILIES PARTICIPATED IN THE 6 PHASE INTENSIVE IN-HOME INTERVENTION, WITH 83.7% OF THOSE FAMILIES SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETING THE PROGRAM. AN ADDITIONAL 18 FAMILIES WERE OPENED AND STILL BEING SERVED AT THE CLOSE OF 2021, THOUGH THEY HAD NOT YET COMPLETED THE PROGRAM. THE BUILDING FAMILIES PROGRAM IS AN IN-HOME SERVICE THAT OFFERS IN HOME COUNSELING FOR CHILDREN AND THEIR FAMILIES. FAMILIES ARE SUPPORTED IN ACHIEVING THEIR PERSONALIZED GOALS WITH A FOCUS ON ENHANCING FAMILY CONNECTEDNESS, SUPPORTING CHILDREN IN DEVELOPING NEW SKILLS, AND REDUCING STRESS FOR PARENTS. OUR PROGRAM STRIVES TO IMPROVE COMMUNICATION AND HEALTHY FAMILY FUNCTIONING THROUGH THE USE OF TESTED, PROVEN PARENTING TECHNIQUES TAUGHT BY EXPERIENCED AND PASSIONATE PROFESSIONALS. AS THE ONGOING IMPACT OF THE PANDEMIC SPILLED OVER INTO 2021, OUR TEAM OF MASTER'S LEVEL THERAPISTS, OFFERED CLINICAL SUPPORT TO THE MANY UNFOLDING NEEDS OF CHILDREN AND THEIR FAMILIES DURING THIS MOST UNIQUE TIME IN OUR NATION'S HISTORY.FOSTER CARE - THORNWELL'S FOSTER CARE PROGRAM WAS ESTABLISHED IN MARCH 2016 AS A CHILD PLACING AGENCY (CPA) LICENSED BY THE SOUTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES. THORNWELL'S FOSTER CARE PROGRAM IS DESIGNED TO EQUIP, TRAIN, SUPPORT AND RETAIN WELL-TRAINED FOSTER PARENTS TO ENSURE STABLE FOSTER PLACEMENTS FOR CHILDREN IN SOUTH CAROLINA. PROVIDING CHILDREN IN NEED WITH SAFE HOMES TO SUPPORT TRAUMA RECOVERY AND HEALING WHILE THEIR FAMILIES COPE WITH CRISIS IS A PRIORITY FOR THE FOSTER CARE PROGRAM. THORNWELL FOSTER CARE EXPANDED IN 2020 TO THE MIDLANDS AND IN 2021 TO THE PEE DEE AREA. THERE ARE NOW A TOTAL OF 7 STAFF MEMBERS INCLUDING A DIRECTOR, RECRUITER, PROGRAM COORDINATOR AND 4 FAMILY SPECIALISTS. THE FOSTER CARE PROGRAM HAS ADOPTED TRUST-BASED RELATIONAL INTERVENTION (TBRI), AN EVIDENCE-BASED THERAPEUTIC APPROACH, TO TRAIN FOSTER CARE STAFF TO WORK WITH FOSTER PARENTS TO MEET THE NEEDS OF CHILDREN FROM HARD PLACES. THORNWELL ORGANIZES A QUARTERLY FAMILY FUN DAY FOR FOSTER PARENTS AND THEIR CHILDREN SO FAMILIES CAN MEET AND NETWORK WITH EACH OTHER, OFFERING A COMMUNITY OF SUPPORT. THORNWELL OFFERS REGIONAL TRAININGS ON A QUARTERLY BASIS TO BOTH THORNWELL FOSTER FAMILIES AND INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE INTERESTED IN LEARNING MORE ABOUT FOSTERING. IN 2021, WE PROVIDED SUPPORT, TRAINING, AND RESOURCES TO 58 LICENSED FAMILIES AND 64 CHILDREN IN THE FOSTER CARE PROGRAM. STRENGTHENING FAMILIES PROGRAM - THORNWELL PARTNERS WITH GATEWAY COUNSELING CENTER (LOCAL ALCOHOL & DRUG ABUSE COMMISSION) AND THE CHILDREN'S TRUST OF SC TO BRING THE STRENGTHENING FAMILIES PROGRAM TO LAURENS COUNTY. STRENGTHENING FAMILIES IS AN EVIDENCE-BASED FAMILY SKILLS TRAINING PROGRAM THAT WORKS WITH PARENTS/CAREGIVERS AND THEIR CHILDREN FOR 14 WEEKS. STRENGTHENING FAMILIES IS CONSIDERED AN EARLY INTERVENTION AND PREVENTION MODEL. THE PARENTS/CAREGIVERS MUST HAVE A CHILD BETWEEN THE AGES OF 6 TO 11 TO PARTICIPATE, PER GRANT REQUIREMENTS. THE FAMILIES ARE INCENTIVIZED TO ATTEND BY THORNWELL PROVIDING A FAMILY MEAL, GAS CARDS TO HELP WITH TRANSPORTATION COST, AND TAKE-HOME FAMILY ACTIVITIES AND MEALS TO ENCOURAGE AND REINFORCE FAMILY BONDING AND FAMILY RELATIONSHIP SKILLS. DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC, CHILDREN'S TRUST ALLOWED FOR SITES TO OFFER THE STRENGTHENING FAMILIES PROGRAM VIRTUALLY WITH EITHER A 14-WEEK OR A 7-WEEK CYCLE THAT HAS TWICE-WEEKLY SESSIONS. IN 2021, THORNWELL PROVIDED 2 CYCLES OF STRENGTHENING FAMILIES, SERVING A TOTAL OF 95 CHILDREN AND FAMILIES. BOTH THE SPRING AND FALL CYCLES IN 2021 WERE CONDUCTED VIRTUALLY AS 14-WEEK CYCLES. WE PROVIDED 3 BOOSTER SESSIONS WHERE FORMER GRADUATES WERE PROVIDED WITH TAKE-HOME ACTIVITIES AND REVIEW MATERIALS.

ACADEMIC SERVICES:THORNWELL'S ACADEMIC SERVICES SERVED 307 CHILDREN IN 2021. THESE SERVICES INCLUDE A CHILD DEVELOPMENT CENTER, A LEARNING CENTER AND READ RIGHT. CHILD DEVELOPMENT CENTER: OUR CHILD DEVELOPMENT CENTER, WHICH CONSISTS OF SIX EARLY HEAD START CLASSROOMS, ONE 3K CLASSROOM AND THREE 4K CLASSROOMS, SERVED 139 CHILDREN AGES 6 WEEKS THROUGH 4K PROVIDING NURTURING CARE AND EDUCATIONAL SUPPORT. ALL CLASSROOM TEACHERS ARE TRAINED IN CREATIVE CURRICULUM, TEACHING STRATEGIES GOLD AND CONSCIOUS DISCIPLINE THROUGH OUR PARTNERSHIPS WITH SC FIRST STEPS AND THE SOUTH CAROLINA ASSOCIATION OF COMMUNITY ACTION PARTNERSHIPS EARLY HEAD START-CHILD CARE PARTNERSHIP. ALL CLASSROOM STAFF HAVE AT MINIMUM ECD 101. FIVE EARLY HEAD START STAFF ARE ENROLLED AT PIEDMONT TECHNICAL COLLEGE TO OBTAIN THEIR ASSOCIATE'S DEGREE IN EARLY CARE AND EDUCATION. ALL PRESCHOOL TEACHERS HAVE BACHELOR'S DEGREES. THROUGH ADVANCED EDUCATION OUR TEACHERS ARE EQUIPPED TO MEET EACH CHILD'S ACADEMIC AND SOCIAL/EMOTIONAL NEEDS USING DEVELOPMENTALLY APPROPRIATE PRACTICES IN AN ENGAGING, HANDS-ON LEARNING ENVIRONMENT WHICH PREPARES OUR CHILDREN FOR SUCCESS IN SCHOOL AND IN LIFE. LEARNING CENTER: DURING 2021, THE LEARNING CENTER EQUIPPED 66 STUDENTS FROM 5K TO 12TH GRADE WITH ESSENTIAL EDUCATION SUPPORT. STAFFED BY CERTIFIED TEACHERS AND QUALIFIED TUTORS, CHILDREN AND YOUTH GET ASSISTANCE IN PREPARING FOR EACH SCHOOL DAY, IMPROVING THEIR READING AND MATH SKILLS, AND RECEIVING TUTORING IN A VARIETY OF SUBJECT AREAS. THORNWELL STUDENTS DEMONSTRATE MARKED ACADEMIC GAINS THROUGHOUT THE YEAR AND RETAIN AND EVEN IMPROVE THEIR ACADEMIC SKILLS OVER THE SUMMER. READ RIGHT: IN ADDITION TO THESE TUTORING PROGRAMS, THE LEARNING CENTER ALSO OFFERS READ RIGHT WHICH SERVED 102 STUDENTS IN 2021. READ RIGHT IS A READING EMPOWERMENT PROGRAM THAT SEEKS TO ELIMINATE READING PROBLEMS BY REMODELING THE NEURAL NETWORK IN THE BRAIN SPECIFIC FOR READING. IT IS DIFFERENT FROM MOST READING INTERVENTION PROGRAMS IN THAT READ RIGHT FOCUSES ON DERIVING MEANING FROM THE TEXT TO READ AT A LEVEL OF EXCELLENCE. READ RIGHT IS DELIVERED IN SMALL GROUPS OR ONE ON ONE IN THE READ RIGHT CENTER OR VIRTUALLY WHEREVER A STUDENT MAY RESIDE.

DINING HALL: IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE USDA, THORNWELL'S DINING HALL PROVIDED 77,370 GRAB-N-GO FREE MEALS IN 2021 TO CHILDREN WHO MAY HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING FOOD INSECURITY IN THE SURROUNDING CLINTON COMMUNITY.FARM: LOCATED ON 340-ACRES OF THORNWELL'S RESIDENTIAL CAMPUS IN CLINTON, SC, LUSHACRES FARM EXISTS TO PROVIDE FRESH PRODUCE AND FAMILY-FOCUSED ACTIVITIES TO THORNWELL AND THE LOCAL COMMUNITY. THE FARM ALSO PROVIDES EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES TO RESIDENTIAL AND LOCAL SCHOOL GROUPS ON AGRICULTURE AND LIVESTOCK CARE. PROCEEDS FROM THE FARM GO DIRECTLY TO BENEFIT THORNWELL PROGRAMS SERVING CHILDREN AND FAMILIES. IN JUNE 2021, THE FARM CELEBRATED THE OPENING OF THE FARM TO THE COMMUNITY, AND IN SEPTEMBER, THE FARM HOSTED A FALL FESTIVAL AND CORN MAZE THAT WELCOMED MORE THAN 1,500 CHILDREN AND FAMILIES TO THE FARM OVER SIX WEEKS. ALSO IN 2021, 2,000 POUNDS (OR APPROXIMATELY $4,000 WORTH) OF FARM-GROWN PRODUCE WERE DONATED TO THORNWELL'S DINING HALL AND LOCAL FOOD BANKS.