Christmas Wishlists 2024
 

Elks Aidmore

"Building programs is our business. Rebuilding lives is our passion."

CEO’s Report

Life is full of surprises. Some are good…some not so much. Some, like COVID, are almost unbearable. No matter the surprise, the Bible teaches us it is God who is in control. When things seem out of control to us, Mark 11:24 reminds us “whatever we ask for in prayer, believe you will receive it and it will be yours.”

My “ask” of each of you, is to keep Aidmore in your prayers. We have so many positive things happening which have the potential to favorably impact our funding. We recently requested a review of our most challenging youth. 15 of them were approved for funding at a higher level of placement, resulting in an additional $200,000 annually. Elks Aidmore has long advocated for the recognition of a true Therapeutic Foster Care model in Georgia. The state of Georgia recently submitted a revised state plan to the federal Center for Medicaid Services and received approval for such a program in Georgia. Our agency could see an additional $500,000 in funding from this change. The state legislature will soon be reviewing the 2023 budget, in which we are advocating for an increase of 7.6% in daily per diems for all of the children served by Child Caring Institutions or Child Placing Agencies. The result would be an additional $500,000 in annual revenues. An increase in revenues means more financial stability. More financial stability means uninterrupted delivery of services. Uninterrupted services mean better outcomes. Here are two recent examples:

Jenna T. won 1st place in the Amped Kids Talent Showcase held at Lake Lanier on Saturday, November 13th. Jenna competed against 7 other youth. In addition to winning first place, Jenna will have the opportunity to travel to Nashville and record 4 songs. She was also awarded a $500 scholarship and other prizes.

Diamond L. was selected to be on the 2021 Homecoming Court. Diamond is a junior at Heritage High School in Conyers. She has a 3.4 GPA and was Student of the Month in November. She plans to attend college to become a nurse and has been awarded a scholarship to Paine College to pursue that dream.

At our recent GEA fall meeting in Toccoa, I predicted the Georgia Bulldogs would be the national champions in college football. They started the season as a “no-name defense”. A walk-on quarterback overcame intense criticisms and became the starting quarterback. They fought their way to the top as a team. They shared an immense respect and love for one another. They embraced a “next man up” mentality. They believed they were the best but were always looking for ways to get better. All of these culminated in them having a chance to play for the NCAA college football national championship, which they decisively won on January 10th .

Isn’t that what we all desire at points in our lives? To start, to fight, to overcome, to embrace, to believe, to just have a chance. I have a sign in my office at home, a gift from one of our daughters. In large print it reads “Pray Big”. So, my “ask” of you, again, is to pray for Aidmore. If you are already praying pray BIGGER! Our children and youth deserve a chance to achieve their goals and realize their dreams of a brighter future.