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Tuesday, February 27, 2007
Camp family helps neglected children
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Shannon Hines knows she can depend on family.
After all, they taught her how to drive. They attended her 2004 graduation from Avondale High in Decatur. They helped furnish her first apartment.
It’s the kind of things kinfolk do for each other. In her case, it’s the Camp Horizon family.
Camp Horizon Inc. is a Dacula-based nonprofit that serves abused and neglected kids in metro Atlanta. The children, recommended by Department of Family and Children Services caseworkers, are in state custody when they enter the free program.
“We provide them opportunities to leave their chaotic, turbulent lives behind and enjoy things that other kids enjoy,” said Kelli Boudreaux, the executive director. “Our goal has been to teach them, through unconditional love and respect, that they can choose to break the cycle of abuse.”
The program’s signature event is summer camp, the first activity the kids attend. The camp for 8- to 11-year-olds is held at Camp Twin Lakes, a facility for special-needs kids in Rutledge, east of Atlanta. Camp Horizon, which relies on donations and sponsorships, is a partner with Camp Twin Lakes.
When participants get too old for camp, they can enroll in a leadership development program for 12- to 18-year-olds. In addition, get-togethers are held throughout the year, things like a family reunion in May, and a holiday party in December.
“Our children change placements frequently,” Boudreaux said. “Prior to the outings, we ‘lost’ a lot of them. It was difficult to keep track of them year to year.”
On Saturday, the family came together. Nearly 40 kids from Gwinnett, Cobb, DeKalb and Fulton counties attended the Big Apple Circus at Stone Mountain. I joined them.
It was clear to me that the volunteers, campers and counselors are a close-knit group. Lots of hugs and affection. Family.
“If something happens with a camper and that camper needs help, they all come together,” said Hines, 20, who attended the circus. “They send e-mails to everybody to see what anybody can do.”
She was placed in foster care when she was 6. A year later, she went to live with her grandmother. When her grandmother died, she moved in with an aunt.
“It was a family,” said Hines, who works in customer service for a Norcross Publix. “But it wasn’t a pleasant experience. My family is a real broken family.”
So Camp Horizon became her family. For her, it was an eye-opener, too, a snapshot into the endless role relatives play as nurturers, providers and confidence-builders.
“A lot of times, I’d blame myself for a lot of stuff that happened,” she told me. “The self-esteem classes and the constant support lets you know you’re OK. It turned me around a lot.”
Today, Hines contributes. She’s been a camp counselor since 2004. She eventually wants to attend college and pursue a career in nonprofit work.
“I want to touch a kid like someone touched me,” she said.
Volunteers are needed for Camp Horizon’s 2007 summer camp, set for July 21-28, as well as other activities. For more information, please contact Kelli Boudreaux at 770-390-4469; or visit the Web site: www.camphorizon.net.
— Rick Badie’s column appears on Sundays, Tuesdays and Thursdays. Contact him at 770-263-3875 or e-mail: rbadie@ajc.com.
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