The home officially opened its doors in August 1993 with the intent to care for children who were victims of abuse and neglect. Since that time, the home has served nearly 1,400 children with tremendous success.
Harvest is licensed to serve 51 children ages 5 to 18 in its current facilities, located in Lee County . The Stickleyville campus is a 36-acre tract, which houses the Stickleyville Cottage, home to 8 children; and the Emergency & Assessment shelter, which has a capacity of 22. Ten children can reside at the Ruby Dobson Cottage.
Harvest Free Will Baptist Child Care Ministries began only as a dream in the hearts of a few motivated people. It was a dream of reaching out to victimized young people who needed a second chance. It was a dream of providing a home of Christian love to children who merely knew abuse, neglect, and abandonment.
Today, Harvest stands tall among its peers. The home is relied upon by the communities and leaders of Virginia. A Scott County Probation Officer noted, "The children have felt that Harvest was their second home...they felt secure and cared for during their placement." A Wise County Worker stated, "They go the 'extra mile' with kids..."
In Virginia alone there were 6,234 substantiated cases of abuse and neglect reported last year, the majority of which came from dysfunctional families. The need is particularly notable in the southwestern counties, which are among the most disadvantaged in the Commonwealth. Our own Lee County is "poorest" in the state.
These socioeconomic conditions are family stressors, which contribute to abuse and neglect. A child dies from abuse or neglect every 8 days in the Commonwealth; and a child is abused or neglected every 84 minutes. In response to these horrifying statistics Harvest reaches out to prevent this needless pain and suffering.
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
 |
 |
 |
||
 |
||||||||
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
||||||||
