Why A Children's Village?
Childhood is a very special time of growing and developing. It is, in large part, one's childhood environment that shapes how productive and responsible one will be as an adult. Most children are fortunate to be raised in warm and secure environments where parents provide the love and discipline so vital to growth and development.

But what about those children who aren't as fortunate? What about those whose parents don't have the time, patience or ability to love? What of those children who have lived through family tragedy: neglect, desertion, physical or sexual abuse? What about those who through no fault of their own have been deprived of a healthy, secure home? What happens to them?

Many grow up as neglected and abused children in our community. They become "sociological orphans:" bearing not only crippling emotional scars but often physical scars as well. Unless they receive some kind of help guiding them toward maturity, their chances of living constructive lives are diminished.

At Children's Village, children are measured by their potential rather than their past. It's here - in a caring foster family setting - that abused, homeless and at-risk children have a second chance at childhood and an opportunity to rediscover their self-respect and develop into healthy, happy and productive adults. Where boys and girls learn Christian family values, positive behavior and enhanced social skills, grow spiritually and achieve academic success all through the example and teaching of a caring staff.

Over the past 25 years Children's Village has provided quality 24-hour, long term residential foster care for hundreds of boys and girls from East Texas. It currently operates 2 family style living homes on a rural campus setting. The typical population is 6-8 youth per home, serving boys and girls, ages 6-18.

Since both boys and girls are served, brother and sister siblings can remain together in care. Children's Village is dedicated to helping youths who, because of family dysfunction and abuse, find their lives, values, relationships and hopes for the future shattered by their present circumstances.

The Homes Utilize the Teaching Family Model emphasizing a balanced approach with:
Teaching social, academic and independent living skills for increased success at home, at school, and in the community.
Nurturing and supportive relationships to restore trust.
Encouraging spiritual and emotional growth.
Modeling responsible behavior with character and values development.
Equipping youths with the necessary resources to achieve academic success in Tyler schools.

Children's Village is a charity. The boys and girls who come into care at Children's Village have no family financial resources or State sponsorship and Children's Village does not receive Federal Funds. Therefore, Children's Village relies almost exclusively on local contributions from concerned individuals, churches, civic organizations, businesses and foundations to meet the daily needs of the children in care.

How can you help?
Individual gifts, Memorial/Remembrance gifts and monthly sponsorships are support that can immediately be used to provide the daily care and nurturing that our youth deserve.
Consider a present day gift to Children's Village or a deferred Testamentary gift in your will.
Gifts of appreciated securities or property may help your financial situation, in addition to helping our children in care.
Children's Village has established an Endowment Fund. Gifts to this fund will be permanently invested with the annual income used to meet the daily care and needs of the boys and girls in our foster homes thus providing a renewable service of hope.
Become a "Special Friend" mentor. - Develop an ongoing relationship with one of our youths (as an individual or a family)
Share a skill or talent with a group of youths (fishing, crafts, cooking class, etc.)
Tell Your Neighbors and Friends - Share our vision with others.

If We Can Be of Service to You or Someone You Know:
Please call: Children's Village (903) 592-3421 for Kathy Steinocher,
Campus Director, 3653 F.M. 724, Tyler, Texas 75704
childrensvillage@sbcglobal.net

Children's Village History:
Children's Village and Family Service Agency, Inc. is a charitable, non-profit Corporation in Texas and a 501 (c) (3) tax exempt organization. Its purpose is to provide 24 hour residential foster care to neglected, abused and abandoned boys and girls from the Tyler, Smith County and Northeast Texas area. It operates under a 30 member voluntary Board of Trustees and is licensed as a Basic Care Children's Home by the Texas Department of Protective and Regulatory Services.

The Children's Village Home began in 1981 with a 2,400 sq. ft. donated wood frame duplex. The structure was moved to the home's location on FM 724 in Tyler and was remodeled to meet childcare building, health and fire code standards. In 1985 the home was enlarged by an additional 1,600 sq. ft. and the residential licensed capacity was increased to 14 children.

In 1992 a 2,600 sq. ft. duplex apartment was built adjacent to the cottage as a Transitional Independent Living unit for our 17-year-old students to live in their senior year in high school. The focus is to help these older teens develop the independent living skills and self-reliance they will need to move into the Tyler community as productive adults or go off to college when they graduate from high school. This duplex apartment unit also allowed Children's Village to increase it's licensed capacity to 22 children. In 1998 we expanded in capacity with 5,300 sq foot residence, including two efficiency apartments, raising our capacity to 32 children.