The North Carolina Mason

for a safe and nurturing environment that prepares them for success on their own. The Transitional Living cottage, a part of the Independent Living program, helps young adults learn and practice the independent living skills they need, in a family-style setting, before stepping out on their own. These programs do not replace families – they add to family support. For many children the Home is a safe place to live while their guardians tackle personal issues related to health, finances, homelessness or domestic violence. For others whose circumstances require longer stays, the Home's resources help them rise as far as their dreams and hard work can carry them. Many of our children are the first in their families to earn high school diplomas and we see them excel academically, win honors in athletics, pursue higher education, enter trades and join the military. Our children gain confidence in themselves and learn to take care of themselves and their families. Their care is guided by a philosophy known as CARE (Children and Residential Experiences), developed by Cornell University. Every employee on the campus receives CARE training, which helps adults understand the traumatic effects of loss, neglect, rejection and hardship on children. By understanding these effects, and particularly the ways trauma may influence children to act, caregivers and staff can help children heal. Otis said that since the campus implemented CARE three years ago, the residents are more successful in staying with the program, with fewer unplanned discharges needing to be made. Looking ahead, the Home continues to build relationships with community leaders, agency partners and other children's homes as it seeks new ways to serve children. Development of a new Community Support Center is underway, powered by a desire to help even more children and families through outreach and on-campus services. And raising funds to ensure that the Home can continue to do its work is a constant. Otis and the board are committed to raising enough in annual support to meet the Home's annual operating budget. The wills and bequests the Home receives from generous donors, which today are crucial in balancing the annual budget, could then be added to the endowment, providing a strong and permanent base of support. "The 150th anniversary is our opportunity to salute the multitudes who worked so hard to build and maintain a safe haven for children in need," Otis said. "We look back only to salute them and to be inspired by their example. I'm very excited by the opportunities we see ahead – to help more children and families – and to work hand in hand with our North Carolina Masonic brethren to make good things happen for new generations of children. Join us! And add your name to the roll of those who have made a difference." "The 150th anniversary is our opportunity to salute the multitudes who worked so hard to build and maintain a safe haven for children in need." – Kevin Otis 14 | T H E M A S O N M AGA Z I N E

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