Kevin Thompson, All Grace Outreach Officer, John Mashni, Media Professional, and Brent Mata, Media Specialist, visited Whaley Children’s Center in Flint on October 31, 2007 following a $15,000 donation made by All Grace Outreach. As a result of the donation, Tricia Reinhard, Chief Development and Finance Officer, invited the gentlemen for a tour of the facilities and to meet some of the children who they are helping to support.
Tricia Reinhard provided a heartwarming presentation to AGO Group during their visit on October 31, 2007. The group was able to meet some of the children, tour the center and see the operation of the Whaley Children’s Center first hand. This tour also inspired the Team Office in Flint, where Kevin Thompson is the Chief Legal Counsel, to adopt the Whaley Children at Christmastime, resulting in large donation of items from their needs list for the children, as well as a $1,000 cash donation.
Whaley Children’s Center has a fascinating history. Donald Whaley, the son of founder Robert J. Whaley, died in 1880 at only eleven years old. Deeply saddened by the death of his son, Robert Whaley decided to establish a home to care for “homeless and neglected children”. Following Robert’s death in 1922, the Donald M. Whaley Children’s Center was incorporated in 1924 and built in 1926. The Center has been helping less fortunate children ever since.
Whaley currently houses 40 children from throughout the State of Michigan, with their ages ranging from 5-17. The children who come through the doors of Whaley have been severely abused and neglected and as a result suffer emotional and behavioral struggles. Several of these children have already been part of the social services system, such as foster care, for the children at Whaley these placements have not been successful. Many of these children need professional assistance in developing and coping with their circumstances.
Sadly, there are more children in need of help than Whaley Children’s Center can possibly support. Of particular need are the transitionally aged children preparing to transition out of the school years and into adulthood. These children may not be ready to be on their own and Whaley feels that there is a strong need to establish stable homes for these children until they are adequately prepared to be on their own.
Whaley has approximately 100 employees and over 200 volunteers. Approximately 79% of the agency’s funding comes from the State of Michigan the other 21% is dependant on other resources such as private donation, events, as well as, grant dollars and trust distributions. Imagine the amount of resources it takes to operate a facility that cares for children and makes a home for them 365 days a year! We applaud the love and patience of the Whaley staff!!
The philosophy of Whaley Children’s Center is referred to as the “Circle of Courage”. The four parts of the Circle of Courage elements are Generosity, Independence, Belonging and Mastery. You can read more about the philosophy, history, operations and how you can help at the Whaley’s website: www.whaleychildren.org
A short video of the center was taken during the visit by Kevin, John and Brent. Out of respect for the children’s privacy, the video has been edited to simply show some of the center and offer an idea of the environment.
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