To feel a deep, heartfelt connection to a cause to help people is one of the more special moments in the human experience. Being inspired by the passion of others for the greater good is really what life is all about. This past week, our entire Outreach Team at WIMCO was moved to the point of tears hearing Alexis Kelly pour out the heart behind the Kelly Children’s Home, a new children’s homecoming to Beaufort County that will change the trajectory of the lives of so many children in our community.

Beaufort County currently has approximately 147 children in foster care with only 23 licensed foster parents in the county. Inadequate housing, drug abuse, and sexual abuse are the top 3 reasons children are placed in foster care in Beaufort County. Twenty-five percent of these children are separated from their siblings when placed in foster care. The 12-18 year old age group is the one with the greatest need given their imminent transition to society and the need to teach them critical skills to make it in the world. The Kelly Children’s Home will serve this monumental need in Beaufort County and aim to break this cycle of abuse and neglect.

Alexis and her husband Josh are raising money through the Kelly Foundation to purchase the land and building in Washington that will become the Kelly Children’s Home. They have a closing date set for July and they are in the midst of a big fundraising push to reach their goal of $130,000 raised by that time.  Their hearts are gold and their resolve is strong. Once the purchase is made there are some immediate needs for renovations to the grounds and the building, to effectively turn this building into a home.  Please visit their website at https://thekellychildrenshome.org/ and also please consider visiting their GoFundMe and donating to this worthy cause.
https://charity.gofundme.com/o/en/campaign/thekellychildrenshome

As our meeting last week culminated, our entire group was fighting back the tears thinking of the children that need help and will be helped by the Kelly Children’s Home. We believe in the Kelly’s and the heart behind this project, which is why we decided to become involved in a big way. WIMCO has come alongside the Kelly’s with a donation of $25,000 as well as a commitment to partner with them in consulting and construction services to help see the home become the gem it promises to be for Beaufort County. We share this not to boast, but rather to challenge you, the rest of our community, to come alongside the Kelly’s as well. This need is real and the Kelly Children’s Home is a big part of the solution. We encourage all of you to give whatever you can to help see this become a reality. Thank you.

Local non-profit addressing need for foster parents in the East