The Primary goal of the Rome First MHCC ministry will be to help these children in effective, consistent and long-lasting ways by joining with them in ministry. Our targed approach will involve "adopting" Family Cottage, the home of twelve 8-13 year old boys. There will be multple facets to this ministry (described below) that will address the spiritual, physical and emotional needs of our boys. While our "Family" boys will be the focus of these ministries, quarterly service and worship events on the MH campus will give us opportunities to get to know and together, it is expected that new ideas for helping these children will emerge!

Prayer Ministry
One of the most important things that we can do for our Family Cottage boys is to pray for their healing, happiness, and hope on a daily basis. By becoming a part of the MHCC Prayer Team, you will receive specific prayer requests for our boys from cottage staff via e-mail or through a phone chain.

Card Ministry
Our Family Cottage boys need to know that they matter in God's Kingdom. This ministry will be about communicating God's love to children by sending cards or encouraging notes on a regular basis. Through these efforts, our boys will learn that someone loves them and cares enough about them to take the time to correspond with them.

Bible Study
Our Family Cottage boys will only experience true and complete healing through the grace of God and a personal relationship with Him. MHCC welcomes those who desire to help the children with spiritual growth through VBS programs and Bible study opportunities (1 time or regularly) or though financial support for Bible study materials.

Individual Needs
Our Family Cottage boys have the same needs as all children. They need haircuts, help with homework, clothes, medical care, and braces - just to name a few! By helping our boys with these items, we fill a bigger need in them - the need to know that someone cares about them.

Cottage Repair
Family Cottage is a 50 year-old home that is in need of repairs. Initial repair work will be focused on the dining room, den and foyer/entry areas as detailed below:
Dining Room: remove and replace existing flooring, repair door molding, remove non-functioning lighting, replace damaged ceiling tiles, remove and replace existing cabinetry, repaint room
Den: install can lights, repaint
Foyer/Entry: install can lights, remove front columns, replace old flooring, repaint

Cottage Furnishings
Family Cottage is home to our boys and we want it to be a warm and welcoming haven where they can heal. Our initial focus will be to update the dining room, den and foyer as follows:
Dining Room: replace loveweat, repair existing dining tables and benches, replace rug and pillows, and provide curtains, wall art, computer and chair
Den: replace 4 sofas and 2 chairs, repair end tables, provide curtains
Foyer: provide mural or other welcoming wall art

Fundraising
Repairs and furnishing updates to Family Cottage will require funds for materials and furniture. Several fundraisers will be held throughout the year for this purpose. Volunteers for this aspect of the MHCC Ministry can assist with the existing Lunch for Love Program or the Preschool Santa Breakfast or can help plan future fundraisers such as a possible Christmas Tree Sale, Mother/Daughter Tea or Fall Bazaar.

Awareness
It is vital that the mission and needs of MHCC are communicated to the general public, churches and civic groups, and lawmakers. Volunteer staff is needed to conduct tours, make donor thank you calls, file donor records, update the MHCC website and speak with groups regarding MHCC. Volunteers can help at the Cedartown campus or at the Development Office in Rome. Also, there are opportunities to write letters, seek grants, and visit with lawmakers on bahalf of MHCC.

Contact:

If you would like to donate, volunteer, or help in any other way,
please contact Devon Smyth (770-714-2361) or Mary Margaret Mauer (706-346-6419)