Recent News
Winter 2009 News
2009 Year End
During this wonderful time of year, we would like to take a moment to reflect on God's blessings during 2009 and to sincerely thank you for your ongoing financial support, prayers, encouragement and involvement. Your gifts this year allowed us to help facilitate the placement of more orphans and foster care children in Christian homes, provide structured education and nurturing group homes for troubled teens, and most importantly allowed us to share God's love and His Word with all of them!
We were privileged to provide services to over 320 children and families this past year in our various programs. The economy is taking its toll on society and thankfully Gateway Woods is there to help. Few are immune and the economy has affected our donations as well. Our Auction was down 15% and our individual donations are down 10%. All of this while caring for more children than ever in our 33 year history. In response, we have taken measures to tighten our belts and do more with less, but there are limits.
Another area of concern for Gateway Woods are the fees we receive from the State for taking care of the children. In the past week we have learned that the State will be cutting the rates of all of our services by 5% - 10%. That could amount to more than a $100,000 decrease in our operating budget. These cuts along with the decrease in our donations just puts us on our knees before a gracious loving Father who will provide for us.
As we complete 2009 and look forward to a new year, we need your help as we strive to make a difference in children's lives. Please consider a donation toward the Operating Fund to support our five current Christ-centered programs. We also need your prayers for changed hearts and for expanding our adoption services into Illinois. We depend on your support to achieve our mission: "To honor and obey God by providing help and healing to troubled children and families who then may bless others." May your Thanksgiving and Christmas be filled with the love of Christ and followed by a wonderful New Year!
Questions & Answers
Why has Gateway Woods grown so much recently?
- In the last few years, Gateway Woods has grown exponentially due to increased demand for our services from the Department of Child Services and Probation.
- Although public dollars cover a large portion of the cost, churchand individual donations have made the growth of this ministry possible.
- All of our capital asset growth has been funded by our generous donors.
- Gateway Woods has received several new state and local contracts allowing us to serve in additional ways.
What are some program highlights from this last calendar year?
- Residential Treatment: Each of our houses, including our brand new Pine House, are completely full and we have turned away children because of lack of room.
- On-grounds School: New Day Treatment contract with the state. Serving more children than ever before.
- Foster Care: More children than ever before in the program. First year to run a break-even program.
- Home-Based Counseling: Two new contracts and therefore two new staff positions.
- Adoption: We have helped with 150+ child placements and continue to expand.
What services are funded by public dollars verses church and individual donations?
- Public funding is a platform for ministry but it only covers part of our budget.
- It is expensive to provide therapeutic treatment to troubled children and families, but funding that we receive from the state covers much of our clients’ costs. We are able to provide extra Christ-centered services because of donations.
- Private donations are used for services directly related to sharing the Gospel because the public funds are used to cover other day-to-day living expenses.
This model for ministry has allowed our church and supporters to bless thousands of children and families over the years.What does Gateway Woods think about future funding?
- We need to balance serving as many children and families that we can at the present time while also preparing for an uncertain future.
- We realize that public dollars are not always stable, especially for Christian ministries.
- Continued church and individual support is the truly stable source of providing ministry.
How can I minister to children through Gateway Woods?
- Pray, pray, pray.
- We need staff with a heart to serve. Be willing if the Lord calls you or one of your loved ones.
- Consider donating to accomplish the mission of providing healing to troubled children and families.
- If you live in Indiana, you can become foster parents and serve hurting children in your own home.
- Consider other long-term donations, such as a percentage of your estate for our future needs.
- Zach Bertsch, Business Manager
Adjusting To New Realities
Is there any person, family or organization that is not challenged in some way with the current recession? Not that we know of. Even if they have not been hit personally, they are cautious and concerned for loved ones and neighbors who are struggling.
As a Christian, charitable, non-profit children’s services ministry, Gateway Woods has not been immune nor have our clients, referral agencies, suppliers and supporters. Like any business with payroll, insurance, utilities, supplies, maintenance, etc., we feel the pinch directly and indirectly. Like everyone else, we are in this ministry too have had to make adjustments, cutbacks, increase efficiencies, do more with less, squeeze another 10,000 miles out of that old car, and fit another resident into that house or classroom. These are times that stretch us and show how much we can do without. But it also reminds us just how blessed we really are to live in a land of abundance and be supported by many loyal and generous donors.
Our auction was down 15% over the previous year, individual donations are down 10%. The only thing that kept pace was local church collections. While the uncertainty continues, we have much to be thankful for considering the big economic picture,” said Zach Bertsch, Business Manager at Gateway Woods.
In the immediate and not too distant future we see and feel some true concerns and even threats both economically and religiously. Of course, our federal government is in deeper debt with deficits climbing to incomprehensible levels. Do we really understand what a trillion is? In parallel, every state is strapped for dollars and making cuts in services, payments, programs and work force. However, states can’t just print more money. Their reality can’t be so easily denied nor postponed. Indiana’s reality becomes Gateway Woods’ reality. How so?
Administrator Jeff Schumacher explained that, “Another area of concern for Gateway Woods are the fees that we receive from the State for taking care of the children. In the past week we have learned that the State will be cutting the rates of all of our services by 5% - 10%. That could amount to more than a $100,000 decrease in our operating budget. These cuts along with the decrease in our donations just puts on our knees before a gracious loving Father who will provide for us."
We have some deep concerns for the future of our sectarian children’s home functioning in an increasingly secular society and licensed under a government that hints at growing hostility to Christian expression and practice. We are wise to “discern the signs of the times” and to learn from events around us. How long will there be protections for sectarian charities who will hire only Christians with compatible beliefs or even a denominational home that hires only from within it’s membership as we are allowed to do? How long will our Houseparents be allowed to take kids to church or read a Bible story at dinnertime? Or how long will our teachers be allowed to integrate faith and a Biblical worldview into the classroom that is funded in part by public dollars? One need only to look at recent court cases and regulatory pressures in neighboring states and nations to see that those who promote and enforce tolerance are often the least tolerant of faith. In the next issue, we’ll explore what Gateway Woods is doing to adjust and prepare for these new realities.
-Tim Sauder, Advancement Director
To view the entire Fall 2009 Gate Post, please visit the Multimedia & Downloads page.
