The holiday season has always been a time of giving whether it be to family, friends, or those less fortunate. People seem to put their wants and needs on hold during this joyous season by practicing the importance of giving. The administration of CHANCE residential homes for young men and women found Friday, December 18 to be no exception to the gift giving spirit.
CHANCE residential centers are a place for at risk youth to live in a safe, highly structured environment. Through around-the-clock care, counseling and academic instruction these youth work to return to their communities with high self esteem and a new demeanor. As these centers strive to rebuild trust and self-confidence, they have been able to see young men and women emerge with an excitement for life and an understanding that they can make worthwhile contributions to the community.
“When a young person arrives at CHANCE residential center, our role to “Give a Child a CHANCE” is in full effect. If love and understanding, positive support, and meaningful information are not a part of life’s experiences, hope for the future becomes lost. The CHANCE residential centers provide a chance at life that many of us take for granted,” Phyllis Bennett, Executive Director of UCHRA said.
A large number of Christmas gifts were anonymously donated to CHANCE for the youth living in three residential centers. Each youth in the three CHANCE centers was given an Under Armour duffel bag filled with numerous clothing. “It is through such anonymous donations that we are giving these children a chance to have a Christmas. Many children come into our centers with very little personal belongings, and we are glad to be able to give them something that they can carry with them when they leave us not withstanding all they have learned while being at our homes,” Brian Swearengen, UCHRA Residential Services Director said.
For more information on UCHRA’s residential centers or ways to make donations, please contact the UCHRA Central Office in Cookeville, TN at (931) 528-1127 or visit us at www.uchra.com.
CUTLINE: Christmas was brighter for the young men and women at the UCHRA Residential Centers. Representatives from the centers are pictured above receiving an anonymous donation that was later given to the youth of each center. From left to right: Amanda Young, Indian Mound Administrative Assistant, Teresa Hutchings, Indian Mound Facilitator and Case Manager, Amy Dutton, Youth Impact Center Facility Coordinator and Case Manager , Tina Puckett, Indian Mound Case Manager, and Brian Swearengen, UCHRA Residential Services Director.
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