Case For Support
Indiana's Abandoned, Impoverished Children
Abandonment. Poverty. Neglect. When these troubling characteristics are combined in the life of a child, chaos reigns in their lives. Kids growing up in these situations frequently end up as homeless adults, behind prison bars, and in poverty themselves.
Indiana has a large number of orphaned and fatherless children who are living in poverty. In fact, 35% of Indiana children are currently growing up in single-parent homes without their biological father, and 40% of all newborn babies are born out of wedlock. (Kids Count Data Center, 2012; U.S. Census Bureau) More than 16,000 children in Indiana have neither parent in the home and are living below the federal poverty level. (National Center For Children In Poverty, 2010) The results of living in such situations are very serious for kids:
- Male children born out of wedlock are 10 times more likely to become
chronic juvenile offenders if born to an unmarried teen mother (Source: Maternal and Perinatal Risk Factors for Later Delinquency. Pediatrics 99 (1997): 785-790)
- 85% of all children that exhibit behavioral disorders come from fatherless homes (United States Center for Disease Control)
- 70% of youths in state institutions are from fatherless homes (U.S. Department of Justice, Weed and Seed, 1998)
- 71% of all high school dropouts come from fatherless homes (National Principals Association Report on the State of High Schools)
Abuse and neglect affect thousands of Indiana children, and multiple placements compound the problem:
- Each year in Indiana, about 17,000 children are confirmed to have been abused or neglected, and 12,000 kids live in out-of-home care in state-subsidized placements such as foster homes. Of these 12,000 children, 20% are waiting to be adopted. (Child Welfare League of America)
- One study concluded that 32% of foster care alumni “experienced 8 or more foster care placements throughout their child welfare career.” (The Foster Care Alumni Studies, Casey Family Programs, 2007)
- There is a direct correlation between the number of placements in foster care and troubles later in life such as mental health disorders, homelessness, incarceration, and unemployment. (Casey Family Programs, The Foster Care Alumni Studies, Why Minimize Placement Change? 2007); (Children and Family Resource Center, Instability in Foster Care, 2002); (see also the National Resource Center for Permanency and Family Connections, 2009)
A Positive Solution: New Song Mission
Children who have suffered from abandonment and poverty need a nurturing community setting that addresses all four facets of life: physical, emotional, spiritual, and intellectual. The New Song Mission children’s home campus is an incredibly unique refuge for kids where they can thrive and grow up to become well-adjusted, productive adults. Modeled after highly successful children’s campuses in Oklahoma, Tennessee, Virginia, Georgia, and Alabama, New Song Mission represents a proven alternative and fantastic news for kids who need safe, loving homes and a private education.
Children Will Thrive On the New Song Campus
Our research, personal visits, and extensive interactions with children and staff at children’s homes throughout the country have helped us to create an incredible, life-changing opportunity for some of our state's most vulnerable children.
Key characteristics of New Song Mission are:
- A campus environment
- A beautiful, natural setting
- Spacious, well-built homes
- Loving and nurturing Christian staff
- Full-time house moms and dads
- Long-term care lasting several years
- A private education
- Low student-to-teacher ratios
- Hands-on learning experiences
- Outdoor recreation opportunities
- Support provided privately through financial and in-kind gifts
New Song Mission will have each of these distinguishing components as well as an equestrian program, gardening, music lessons, and art exploration. Can you imagine children being safe and loved in this amazing environment?
Beautiful Brown County
The natural, scenic topography of Brown County, Indiana provides the perfect setting for a children’s home campus. New Song owns 100 scenic acres in the remote hills of the county, and civil engineers, architects, and surveyors have all donated their professional services to design a campus that takes full advantage of this magnificent environment.
The establishment of the ministry in Brown County is also ideal because the campus is situated in between the cities of Columbus and Bloomington and is also near the town of Nashville, all of which have many wonderful
churches that have been incredibly supportive of New Song.
Help Us Build Homes For Kids!
The children we will serve—the abandoned, fatherless, and impoverished children of our state—don’t need “housing,” they need homes; safe, loving homes. Be a part of the solution. By God’s grace, through the work of New Song Mission, you can help provide them with the loving families they need. You can join the hundreds of financial supporters, business professionals, construction workers, building supply companies, and other volunteers to make it happen. We are so excited about the upcoming opening of Home A!
Home A is completed, and we hope to house children in it very soon. We will be able to care for up to eight children in each of the three Phase One homes.
At New Song Mission, we recognize the value of family. That’s why each of our houses has been designed to feel like “home” to the kids and to promote family interaction. Our two Brown County volunteer architects did a fantastic job developing an exceptional floor plan and overall design, from the large kitchen upstairs to the classroom in the walk-out basement.
Securing the Future and Building a Sustainable Mission
Since we began the ministry, supporters of New Song have provided $2,580,000 in financial gifts and $910,000 in ‘in-kind’ support including professional services, construction materials, furniture, and supplies. In addition, well over 15,000 hours in donated construction and grounds keeping labor has been received! It is because of God working through our amazingly generous, sacrificial ministry supporters and our conservative fiscal philosophy that we have always remained debt-free. As a result of this steady stewardship we are now ready to open our very first home and our other two homes are nearing completion.
God’s Provision Since Our Inception
God has provided abundantly for New Song Mission since its founding in 2003 through the sacrifices and generosity of nearly 2,000 people. The list below is but a small sample of the amazing ways we have been blessed:
- New Song leaders were led to a picturesque 80 acre tract of woods and hills in Brown County, and we purchased that land contingent upon acquiring an adjoining 20 acre tract of road frontage
- We purchased both tracts without taking on any debt, and we now own the 100 acres
- Zoning reclassification was received after a challenging, faith-building experience
- A comprehensive campus design was donated by civil engineers and surveyors to fit the amazing topography of the Brown County property
- The ministry has received approximately $2.5 million in financial gifts since its inception
- New Song has received more than 15,000 man hours of donated labor valued at more than $400,000 from over 700 individuals
- One campus home is completely finished and two other homes are nearing completion. Our entire campus infrastructure is also fully developed (e.g. road, water, electrical grid, pond, etc.)
- We anticipate opening our first home as soon as House Parents are confirmed, with the hope of having all three homes opened and operating in the next 12-18 months. In each of the homes we will care for up to eight precious children
- New Song has more than 3,200 supportive friends and dozens of churches from many denominations
- We celebrate the hundreds of prayers prayed and answers given—answers only God could provide
Conclusion: Help Us Rebuild Children’s Lives!
For several years we’ve witnessed the blessings of God in developing the ministry of New Song Mission. We’ve seen the sacrificial generosity of hundreds of people who are deeply concerned about young boys and girls who are suffering. We invite you to help children heal from feelings of rejection, abandonment, and fear. Please help them know they are deeply loved by prayerfully partnering with us to rebuild their lives.
For Christ and kids,
Robert P. Schloss, J.D.
Founder/Executive Director