| Abandoned parsonage provides safe haven for neglected siblings BY BARBARA COWARDUMCONNECTION CORRESPONDENT  The Board of Child Care and Colesville UMC have joined forces to open a new group home for siblings in Montgomery County.
Dedicated on May 4, after six years of planning and development, the childrens home is situated in the old parsonage of Colesville UMC. Since the house was no longer being utilized as the pastors primary residence, the church wanted to extend their ministry to the community and put the facility to good use. The first step in the project was to relocate the former parsonage to be closer to the church building. In April, the residence was moved to the parking lot behind Colesville UMC. With additional help from the Board of Child Care, which invested more than $300,000 in capital improvements including a new roof and air-conditioning, the church was able to realize its vision to operate a state-licensed childrens home that offered a much needed and welcomed service in the area. Today, the childrens home enables siblings from disadvantaged families to remain together while their parents work through various problems, encompassing a range of issues and emotional difficulties, such as abuse and neglect. While children can reside in the transitional home for an indefinite period of time, family reunification is the ultimate goal, said Tom Curcio, president and CEO of the Board of Child Care. With the bricks and mortar bestowed by the Colesville UMC, referrals coming from the Department of Social Services, and licensed and experienced staff provided by the Board of Child Care, the home reflects a true partnership between the Baltimore-Washington Conference and the state of Maryland. It extends the mission of the Board of Child Care to ensure that disadvantaged children within the greater Baltimore-Washington area are provided with a safe and nurturing environment in which to develop and grow. It is our goal and objective to provide a safe haven for these children, which allows families to stay intact as much as possible, said Curcio. The sibling home is a temporary situation where brothers and sisters can remain together until they return home. The residence opened its doors in May to two sisters, ages 8 and 11. Members of Colesville UMC, where the children regularly attend worship services, are expected to contribute to the childrens emotional and spiritual development by volunteering in the residence. The home accommodates eight children, and currently is at full capacity with three sets of siblings ranging from 8 to 13 years old. It is expected that two of the children will rejoin their parents shortly, which is a great joy and blessing to all those who have been involved, providing a tangible example of how the home has made a positive difference in the lives of one family in need. The Board of Child Care sees tremendous benefits for the children who are residing in the home. By keeping the siblings together, the children feel safe and have a positive attitude, said Curcio. Tara Pessia, a clinical coordinator at the Board of Child Care, affirms this belief. She states that the home has a real family atmosphere in which the children have come to trust and connect with the staff, and she sees firsthand how much the siblings appreciate staying together. They have a normal daily life with school, extracurricular activities and church attendance as well as ongoing family therapy. Recreational activities include trips to Hershey Park and local museums. These fun events are balanced by normal daily household chores such as taking out the trash and setting the table at mealtimes, said Pessia. These are normal kids in tough situations. | 
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