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Presbyterian Children’s Homes and Services (PCHAS)

An integral part of Central Presbyterian Church is its relationship with its ministry partner, Presbyterian Children’s Homes and Services (PCHAS). Established in 1903, PCHAS programs have evolved over the years to meet the ever changing needs of children and families. Originally established as an orphanage in Itasca, it now offers seven core programs and annually serves 2,800 children and families throughout Texas, Louisiana, and Missouri.

In the early 1960’s PCHAS opened a Group Home Campus in Waxahachie. For years, members of Central Presbyterian Church have been very active as staff, volunteers, mentors and supporters.

In 2012, the Waxahachie Campus opened a Single Parent Family Program to serve seven single parents and their children. PCHAS’ goal is to give these single parents a chance to become strong and self-sufficient without constantly fearing for their and their children’s survival and safety. The single parent families are able to stay 12-18 months while they work towards achieving personal goals, including self-sufficiency. To help the single parents, which now includes single mothers and single fathers, the program provides employment assistance, individual counseling, case management and therapy, money management, life skills training, parenting classes and more.

Some CPC members have completed steps to become Authorized Volunteers and are able to work very closely with the clients on the Waxahachie campus.

In the summer of 2017, PCHAS decided to consolidate its Group Home Program onto its Itasca campus. At the same time, PCHAS asked CPC if the group home children in Itasca, which now includes the former group home children from Waxahachie, could all attend Sunday worship at CPC. CPC has fully embraced this opportunity and, in addition to welcoming the group home children on Sunday mornings, has also volunteered to lead children’s worship/activities once a month on the Itasca campus. This means even more members of CPC will be invited to serve as Authorized Volunteers of PCHAS and be able to enjoy deeper friendships with their children and staff.

The children of God served by PCHAS – kids, youth, single mothers and fathers, staff and administrators – are a vital part of the CPC family. As we minister to one another, we grow together in Christ!