Twins, Lincoln and Jasmine, were three years old when referred to A Child’s Haven (ACH) by their Early Interventionist (EI) for speech delays and extreme separation anxiety. Lincoln and Jasmine’s mother, Jessica, shared with their EI that she was struggling with her husband’s death and needed help. Her EI had just attended a Lunch and Learn at ACH and knew Jessica and this family could benefit from our multigenerational treatment services. During their ACH intake, Jessica revealed Lincoln and Jasmine’s father passed away shortly after their second birthday. After their father’s death, the twins had very different reactions. Jasmine developed extreme separation anxiety, and Lincoln went from a boy full of personality to not talking at all. The first few weeks of drop offs were extremely tough for the twins. Emotions ran high, and you could feel the children’s despair and insecurity. Our clinical team showered them with patience and support, and Jessica’s Child and Family Therapist walked her through different ways to comfort and help Lincoln and Jasmine with this transition. Once the children became more comfortable with coming to ACH, a transformation began. Our clinical team helped Jasmine identify her anxiety and taught her healthy coping strategies. Lincoln learned other ways to communicate, starting with basic sign language, until he gained the confidence to speak simple words like, “Yes”, “No”, and “Thank you.” After several months, Lincoln was speaking in full sentences again. The twins weren’t the only ones making progress. Jessica had major breakthroughs during Family Therapy sessions with their Child and Family Therapist. She worked through a lot of her grief, learned better routines that would help their family at home, and practiced coping skills with her children. Lincoln and Jasmine are now five years old and getting ready for Kindergarten this fall. The whole family continues making progress each day. An investment in A Child’s Haven is an investment in a child and family’s mental health. Donate today.

A Child’s Haven (ACH) hosted its inaugural 4K graduation Friday, June 3, 2022 in collaboration with South Carolina First Steps (SCFS). Family members, ACH staff, community members, and Miss South Carolina USA, Meera Bhonsle, were all present for the celebration. ACH was the fourth SCFS 4K program in Greenville County and launched in August 2021. ACH also provides Therapeutic Child Care to young children suffering from trauma or abuse. The SCFS 4K program adds a traditional academic component and further ensures a child’s success when they enter a public-school classroom. ACH Program Director, Coraretta Smalls, leads the initiative with support from other clinical staff. The SCFS 4K Program enhances the ACH program as a model for Therapeutic Child Care in South Carolina. ACH Executive Director, Tanya Camunas, commented that, “We are thrilled to be graduating our first 4K class this year. Our children will enter public school having overcome their trauma and prepared to be great learners.” South Carolina First Steps is the state’s only dedicated, comprehensive early childhood initiative focused on getting children ready for school and life success. Martha M. Strickland, South Carolina First Steps 4K State Director said, “We are grateful to A Child’s Haven for partnering with First Steps 4K so that all students are fully prepared for kindergarten. SC First Steps 4K gives families the opportunity to enroll their eligible child in a free, high-quality 4K program of their choice as part of South Carolina’s Child Early Reading Development and Education Program (CERDEP).” About A Childs Haven: Founded in 1992 by Eva P. Hunt, ACH is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) that provides healing therapy for Greater Greenville’s developmentally challenged at-risk preschoolers, while fortifying vulnerable families and strengthening our community. It is one of only two Therapeutic Child Care service providers in the state. https://achildshaven.org/ About South Carolina First Steps: South Carolina First Steps to School Readiness (SCFS) is both a nonprofit and state agency and is the only dedicated comprehensive early childhood agency in South Carolina focused on getting children ready for school and life success. We serve more than 30,000 children in 81 school districts across 46 counties. https://scfirststeps.org/

A Child’s Haven (ACH) recently earned our fourth consecutive Three-Year Accreditation from the Commission of Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities International (CARF). ACH is accredited until March 31, 2025 for Intense Family Based Services: Family Services (Children and Adolescent); with Board Governance Standards applied. CARF’s decision represents the highest level of accreditation that can be given to an organization and demonstrates ACH’s conformance to CARF standards. The process involved a rigorous peer review by a team of surveyors during an on-site visit, and the outcome affirmed ACH’s commitment to offer programs and services that are measurable, accountable, and of the highest quality. “CARF commends A Child’s Haven’s commitment and consistent efforts to improve the quality of tis programs and services and looks forward to working with the organization in its ongoing pursuit of excellence,” said President and CEO of CARF, Brian J. Boon, Ph.D. This achievement came as ACH celebrates their 30 th anniversary of providing healing therapy to children and families who have suffered from trauma. Executive Director, Tanya Camunas, said this about their recent accomplishment, “We are extremely proud of achieving the highest level of accreditation that CARF offers. This further distinguishes A Child’s Haven as an organization that is dedicated to improving the quality of lives of children and families in our community.” Learn more about ACH’s services and how you can get involved at www.achildshaven.org About A Child’s Haven: Founded in 1992 by Eva P. Hunt, ACH is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) that provides healing therapy for Greater Greenville’s developmentally challenged at-risk preschoolers, while fortifying vulnerable families and strengthening our community. It is one of only two Therapeutic Child Care service providers in South Carolina. https://achildshaven.org/ About CARF: CARF is an independent, nonprofit accrediting body whose mission is to promote the quality, value, and optimal outcomes of services through a consultative accreditation process and continuous improvement services that center on enhancing the lives of the persons served. Founded in 1966 as the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities, and now known as CARF International, the accrediting body establishes consumer-focused standards to help organizations measure and improve the quality of their programs and services. For more information about the accreditation process, please visit the CARF website at www.carf.org .

A Child's Haven (ACH) hears stories like Julia's all too often. Julia's pediatrician referred the family to A Child's Haven when she was two years old. At the time, Julia’s parents hit a very rough patch in their marriage and had been separated for a few months. After witnessing too many arguments and not having a stable routine, Julia began to shut down. The brave, kind little girl with a bubbly personality became extremely reserved and hardly spoke a word. One of the few things Julia’s parents could agree on was they needed to find a way to help their little girl. The referral from Julia’s pediatrician prompted our Assistant Clinical Director to contact the family and schedule an intake appointment. During intake, our team was able to sort through details of Julia and her parent’s history. Julia’s father had not experienced childhood trauma, but her mother grew up in an unstable home plagued by domestic violence. Julia’s parents also shared that it was tough to co-parent since their separation. A few weeks later, the family enrolled at A Child’s Haven. Julia was very reserved and barely spoke, so our treatment providers taught her a few sign language signs to help her communicate until she began speaking more often. Through daily interventions in Therapeutic Child Care and Individual Therapy sessions, Julia’s old personality resurfaced. It started with positive interactions with her peers, then grew into saying words like, “Hello!” and “Thank you!”, and finally led to her singing along to her favorite songs. This progress was so encouraging to Julia’s parents, and they became more willing to try some of the same parenting techniques in their own homes. Even though they were separated, Julia’s parents still attended Family Therapy sessions together so they could learn how to co-parent effectively. After a few months, they developed a strong co-parenting plan that worked for them and helped Julia continue to make progress. Julia’s parents were thrilled their Child and Family Therapist taught them skills needed to help their child. One year after beginning treatment at A Child’s Haven, Julia was ready to discharge and transition back into a traditional daycare. Julia is now 5 years old and her parents report she is ready for kindergarten. An investment in A Child’s Haven is an investment in a child and family’s mental health. Donate today.

Travelers Rest High School (TRHS) awarded $25,626.88 to A Child's Haven (ACH) through their 2021-2022 spirit week. This donation came as a lovely surprise when we received a call from TRHS inviting ACH to the check reveal pep rally. With big smiles and grateful hearts, the ACH Development and Communications team attended the reveal. These funds will directly support our mission through our three core services. Director of Development and Communications, Michael Beaver, spoke shared ACH's mission and purpose in the community to the entire student body followed by the big reveal! "It was a wonderful surprise and incredible honor to accept this donation from the Travelers Rest High School student body," said Michael Beaver. "A Child’s Haven is celebrating 30 years in 2022, and the future looks brighter than ever. It is wonderful to witness this next generation of leaders embracing philanthropy, and we are thrilled our community continues to find new ways to support our organization.." The TRHS Spirit Week is unique because it is solely student driven. Instead of nonprofits applying, students from their Student Council submit charities of their choice, share why they should support the charity and vote on it as a group. Student Body President, Tori Fullbright, informed us that ACH was the unanimous choice this year.

Julian was only three and had already been kicked out of two different daycares before his family was referred to A Child’s Haven (ACH). An ACH therapist interviewed Julian’s mother to explore his past and current behavior challenges. Julian’s mother shared about past family trauma including abuse and neglect as well as challenges Julian had expressing his emotions. “Trying to put him in time out is like pulling teeth. He will push the TV over or throw something. He doesn’t know how to act out his frustration. Instead, he acts out in destructive ways.” Our therapist used conversations with Julian and his mother to develop an Individual Plan of Care (IPOC). These plans help our clinical providers and therapists track Julian’s progress so we can adjust strategies and goals if needed. One week later Julian began attending ACH and he and his mother began learning and healing together. Julian’s first few days at ACH were tough. To make Julian more comfortable, ACH clinical providers spent extra time with him nurturing and encouraging positive coping strategies when he experienced tough emotions. Our clinical providers found some strategies worked better than others and shared that information with Julian’s therapist. Two weeks later, Julian’s therapist met with his mother to discuss progress and begin her healing as well. During this first session, the therapist and Julian’s mother discussed positive coping strategies that had been working in the treatment rooms. Julian’s mother couldn’t believe it. She was so relieved to hear that Julian was already having positive experiences and was excited to start using these strategies at home. During the rest of his time at ACH, Julian made significant progress and eventually obtained all but one of his IPOC goals. Upon discharge, Julian had accomplished emotion recognition, self-awareness and self-regulation skills, and positive relationships with his family and his peers. He also went from having multiple tantrums a day to about three a week. Julian’s mother shared how much their family enjoys being less stressed and how easy daily tasks are now. “Just going to the grocery store with Julian has become so much easier. He also is getting along with his siblings which warms my heart.” Support children like Julian by investing in our mission today. Donate here.

A Child’s Haven is celebrating our 30 th Anniversary in 2022. The celebration was kickstarted by an incredible gift of over $1,000,000 from our founder’s children. This gift was donated in memory of their mother, Eva P. Hunt and they asked that funds support the organization’s sustainability and program expansion. In 1987, founder, Eva P. Hunt recognized a great, unmet need for treating at-risk children and their families. Her determination and vision became a reality on January 6, 1992, when ACH opened its doors to serve 10 children. We now serve 100 to 150 children and their families each year. Through their generosity, Eva Hunt’s children honor the memory and vision of their mother and ensure ACH will be able to serve more families than ever. “We are extremely touched by the continued generosity of the Hunt family,” said Executive Director, Tanya Camunas. “A Child’s Haven continues to focus our efforts on expanding our programs to serve more children. This generous gift will give our organization the financial security we need to sustain and replicate our program.” “We appreciate, as the Hunt family, the dedication and continuing recognition of our mom, Eva Hunt. She was ahead of her time and was a relentless champion of children and families.” said Marian Hunt. Since its inception, ACH has been focused on the growth of a quality-driven, sustainable, and replicable program model. The organization will maintain this focus as they celebrate their 30 th Anniversary.

A Child’s Haven (ACH) welcomed two community leaders to serve three-year terms on their Board of Directors. The newest directors on the 14-member nonprofit board are Mark Eley of First Citizens Bank and Nancy Strausbaugh recently of Greenco Beverage. “A Child’s Haven is proud to welcome three eager new members as well as our strong Executive Committee,” said Executive Director, Tanya Camunas. “With their fresh perspective and passion to create a thriving community, we will continue to grow as an organization and fulfill our mission of lifting lives and reshaping futures of young children and their families.” Along with the new members, we have also welcomed a new Executive Committee, led by Dawn Rumney as President. Rumney, Senior Vice President of Human Resources for Greenville Federal Credit Union, will be joined on the executive committee by Jason See of Follet School Solutions (Vice President), Kimberly Singleton of TD SYNNEX (Secretary), Jennifer Osgood of Wagner Wealth management (Treasurer), and Brent Atwood of NAI Earle Furman (Past President). Full list of 2022 Board of Directors. Dawn Rumney — President Greenville Federal Credit Union Brent Atwood — Past President NAI Earle Furman, LLC Jason See — Vice President Follett School Solutions Kimberly Singleton — Secretary Synnex Corporation Jennifer L. Osgood — Treasurer Wagner Wealth Management Neil M. Batavia Dority & Manning, PA Lindsey Davis Communicating Results Group Zack Devier Armada Analytics, Inc. Mark Eley First Citizen's Bank Rachel Putman Goodwill Industries of Upstate/Midlands Dr. Lyle Pritchard, MD PRISMA Health Upstate Nancy Strausbaugh Reed Wilson Palmetto Technology Group

Jahlil and his mother, Shantel, were referred to A Child’s Haven (ACH) when he was four years old. Leading up to their referral, Shantel was an extremely stressed single parent. Jahlil struggled with extreme social-emotional challenges that lead to poor behavior. Shantel was afraid of what the future would look like if Jahlil’s behavioral challenges were not addressed. Shantel had exhausted the ways she knew to help her son and knew she needed a different approach. During her ACH intake, Shantel was excited to learn that while Jahlil was in treatment, the Child and Family Therapist would help her too. Shantel shares, “I’m an old school parent and I parented my oldest three children in a significantly different way. The way I parented Jahlil just didn’t work.” After a few months of being enrolled at ACH, Shantel was relieved to see huge improvements in her son. Jahlil was having positive interactions with adults and peers, and he stopped throwing tantrums every time something did not go his way. During Shantel’s Family Therapy sessions, she learned how to understand her child’s needs. This information taught her how to be the best parent to Jahlil, and she was able to empower him. This newfound empowerment helped Jahlil take charge of his emotions and to process and express them in a positive way. Jahlil continued making significant progress during his time at ACH. He was enrolled in our new 4K program in August and thrived during the transition. Jahlil is on track to graduate from 4K in time to begin kindergarten next Fall. Shantel shared what makes ACH unique. “A Child’s Haven for us has been everything under one roof. During the day he learns coping skills in his classroom and has Individual Therapy a few times a month. Then, we are able to have Family Therapy together with the same therapist. It has worked very well for us. I don’t know where our lives would be without A Child’s Haven.”