Hillcrest Gym Renovation Dedication

The Hillcrest Children's Home Activities Center was erected in 1978 and was in sincere need of repair and renovation to secure its continued value of providing health and happiness to the children and youth at Hillcrest. The generous gift received from Mrs. Edwardene Johnson provided a new floor, entrance, ceiling, HVAC system, paint, roof repair, and other detailed improvements of this important gymnasium facility.

Our official Board of Directors wrote:

"This great compassion gift brings and hastens redeeming ministry to numerous children and for years to come. Similarly, Mrs. Johnson’s generous act of compassion made in honor of her loved ones, Edward & Bonnie Swain, is a model testimony of parental respect reflecting God’s promise to bless, provide, and prosper his children with a future and a hope."

On August 2, 2018, we celebrated the generosity of Mrs. Edwardene Johnson and her family with a dedication. The entire COMP ACT family gathered to re-dedicate our gym and pray over the Johnson family and the future of the Hillcrest Activities Center. Mrs. Edwardene was presented with COMP ACT's highest award, the COMPASSIONATE ACTION Award.

Lesson from a Broken Quilt

by Sharon Page

In June, I received a phone call from one of our local volunteers. In 2010, Sylvia created the most beautiful quilt with the fitting theme of “children around the world.” She was inquiring of its present location. The quilt was given to our young girls to enjoy, so it is strategically displayed in the cottage where they reside; originally in Wilmoth Cottage and now in Garrison Cottage. When I visited Garrison Cottage to confirm its location, I was surprised to find an empty wall where it normally hangs. An all campus search began.

 In January of this year, Wilmoth Cottage endured extensive water damage caused by a sprinkler system that froze during unusual cold temperatures in Hot Springs. With this knowledge, I immediately assumed that the quilt was taken down to protect it from the gushing waters. After a few conversations and extensive searching, the quilt was located and delivered to my office! I was excited to return it to its rightful place.

 As I began the short trip to Garrison, with quilt in hand, I was greeted by the sweet voice of one of the young girls who was walking toward me with her houseparent. “Miss Sharon, you found it! You found it!” What a joy to hear such excitement that spoke of the significance of this quilt. Anna* and I began to study the quilt together; she was more familiar with it than I. As she spoke with delight of its contents, she abruptly said “Watch this; I know this one by heart…” My heart melted as she looked away from the scripture verse stitched into this masterpiece and proclaimed, “For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life, John 3:16.” I celebrated with Anna* as we do when children quote scripture from memory and then I looked her in the eyes as if it would be my last moments with her and said , “Anna*, remember those words the rest of your days.”

Back to School

Our residents are headed back to school this month and we can use your help! First, I ask that you include our kids and youth in your prayers. Some are starting at a new school while other are moving to a new building with new teachers and a new routine. School can be hard for children in the foster care system as their development may have been slowed, they likely didn't get the proper support from their biological families and they may struggle with self-confidence and concentration. Pray for patience from teachers, kids and houseparents as they navigate new classrooms and learn new material.

If you'd like to donate financially, click here to donate to our School Supply Fund.

Upcoming Birthdays

Birthdays are a big deal to our residents here at COMPACT. Sometimes we get to throw a child their first birthday party ever. Sometimes it is hard to spend a birthday apart from their biological family. Below is a list of upcoming birthdays on our campus. Please consider sending a card of encouragement to uplift and brighten a child's birthday.

AUGUST BIRTHDAYS

Sheba * 17 yrs. - Female

Odell* 15 yrs. - Male

SEPTEMBER BIRTHDAYS

James* 15 yrs. - Male

Betty* 10 yrs. - Female

Bexley* 18 yrs. - Female

Lyra* 16 yrs. - Female

Noah* 13 - Male

*In order to protect the identity of our residents, the names listed above are pen names. Pen names reflect actual children on our campus and have been chosen by each resident when they come to COMPACT.