Kerry Garner Believes in Centerstone
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“I like to give to organizations that I believe in,” says Kerry Garner, CPA, about his many years of giving to Centerstone. “I wish everyone knew just how many different programs Centerstone offers.”
Kerry learned about Centerstone from “one of the dearest people that I know,” his friend Lisa Eggebeen, Vice President at one of The Steven A. Cohen Military Family Clinics at Centerstone. “I have several veterans in my family, so seeing that Centerstone does so much for vets warms my heart.” Kerry is also very thankful for the Crisis Response Team that works around the clock to help prevent suicide, because he has known people who felt shut off from their family, didn’t believe they had a future, and died by suicide.
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But it’s Centerstone’s work with foster care families that really hits home for Kerry. “When I was young, our family didn’t have much. I remember always wondering why Santa didn’t think we deserved as much as other kids in my school. I really enjoyed using your [Holiday Giving Initiative] program to purchase Christmas toys for your Foster Care families because I want to help children not have the feeling that they deserve less.”
Centerstone needs more donors like Kerry who have a heart for people in our care. He gives generously to help teens and adults living with mental illness and addiction get their lives back. He knows how important it is to care for children in difficult circumstances. Kerry wants to help Centerstone deliver care that changes people’s lives.
On behalf of the many people whose lives have been changed through your gifts, we thank you so very much, Kerry!
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Foster Care Brings Families Together
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Emma came to Centerstone as a teen, difficult to place because she made one bad decision. Since being accepted by a foster family, she became an A student. She sings in the choir and participates in softball, girls’ wrestling, and 4-H. Her foster family has adopted several children who are all doing well.
“Permanency and adoption for youth in care is a big success, but this can be very challenging on many levels,” says Edrica McDowell, Statewide Clinical Community Services Program Manager. Thankfully, Centerstone has a fiercely dedicated team of licensed professionals, offering a full range of services to help. This support is provided no matter where you are in your foster care journey – from the time you begin thinking about fostering a child, through placement, to managing the daily joys and challenges of being a child’s hero.
Since July 1, 2024, Centerstone’s foster care programs have reunified 23 children and youth with their families, plus nine adoptions and six have received other permanent placements.
Centerstone “was one of only 11 agencies awarded a contract to provide Intensive Foster Care Services to hard-to-place youth who have experienced many disrupted placements,” says Lynne Carter, Director of Centerstone Foster Care. She is proud that Centerstone “takes care of our [foster] families like they are part of our family.”
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Lindi and Stella were recently adopted
by the Nix family that has adopted a total of six children
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Foster families are volunteers who go through a rigorous process for licensure that includes 20 hours of training annually. They provide a home for some of the most vulnerable children with little reimbursement. For example, the state per diem received by the family for children 0-4 is typically about $27 per day. This is never enough to cover things like: food, clothing, transportation to medical specialists that can be an hour or more away, childcare assistance, car seats, diapers, and formula. Sometimes additional beds are needed when foster parents try to keep siblings together in one home. Older children also have needs for extracurricular activities, job interviews, and driver’s education. Often, children come to our care without even a suitcase for their belongings.
Your help is needed to manage the funding gaps. Any amount, large or small, can impact a child’s life – the larger the gift, the larger the impact for foster families.
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In addition to making a gift, Carol Cox, Vice President of Foster Care and Early Childhood Services says it’s very important to “spread the word that Centerstone provides foster care.” May is National Foster Care month, a perfect time to do just that. Let’s join together in making meaningful connections within our communities. Help Centerstone locate prospective foster care parents. “We are always needing foster parents and foster-to-adopt parents.”
Now is the time to make a difference in a foster child’s life! Click the button below and designate your gift to Foster Care in the Donation Comments section.
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To learn more about Centestone’s Foster Care program click here .
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Meet More of Our Foster Care Families
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April & Bobby
After running a successful day care business, April & Bobby began exploring foster care through Centerstone’s Foster Care. Initially afraid of the time and resources it would require, they quickly began to realize they had the most important resource of all: love.
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Keith & Mary
Keith & Mary discovered Centerstone’s Foster Care eight years ago at a baseball game. Already parents, they had been wanting to grow their family for a while. Since then, Keith & Mary have fostered 28 children and have learned a lot along the way.
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Changing Lives with April Events
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An exciting evening of GloBingo was held on April 12 in Alton, Illinois.
198 people were in attendance and enjoyed the festivities! Nearly $15,000 was raised to provide services at Centerstone.
Thank you to our community partners, listed here.
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The 10th Annual Reclaiming Lives Luncheon was held on April 22 in Nashville, Tennessee.
320 people heard a powerful message from Zak Williams, keynote speaker. $300,000 has been raised to date.
More photos and information to be posted soon on the link below.
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For more information about upcoming and past Signature events, click here.
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Don’t Miss These Upcoming Events in 2025
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Fairway to Recovery
Friday, May 9
The River Club
Lakewood Ranch, Florida
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Life;Story
September 6, 13 and 20
Being held in person in Illinois, Tennessee, Florida and virtually in any location
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Thank You to Our Community
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- $5,000 from the AF Group to support the Crisis Stabilization Unit in Carterville, Illinois
- $26,250 from the Andrea Waitt Carlton Family Foundation to support support counseling services for veterans, service members, and military families in Middle Tennessee
- $37,500 from the Clarksville-Montgomery County Community Health Foundation to support the Crisis Stabilization Unit and walk-in center in Clarksville, Tennessee
- $1,500 from the Community Foundation of Bloomington and Monroe County to support the Stride Center and mobile crisis services in Bloomington, Indiana
- $5,000 from the Community Foundation of Southern Indiana to support Life Skills Training in Clark and Floyd Counties in Indiana
- $25,000 from CSX Transportation to support The Steven A. Cohen Military Family Clinic at Centerstone in Jacksonville, Florida
- $27,275 from the Illinois Behavioral Health Workforce Center to support the Building Compassionate Communities (BCC) program through the Chicago Parent Program in Carbondale, Illinois
- $50,000 from the Kentucky Veterans Program Trust Fund to support counseling services for veterans, service members, and military families across Kentucky
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Stay Connected with Centerstone’s Foundation
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