Who We Are
Children’s Ark is a non-profit, professional accredited residential and community treatment provider for young people and families in trouble. We provide a nurturing and therapeutic residential environment and high quality services for young people to discover their talents and learn the necessary skills to meet life’s challenges. We are committed to giving young people the opportunity to heal within the context of healthy relationships, creating a sense of hope and acceptance while providing stepping stones for them to achieve future success.
Our Seven Guiding Principles
- Relationship – from top administration down, staff take steps to build close, healthy relationships with every child. We go far beyond professional expectations in order to be allowed into a child’s heart.
- Individualized Treatment – we continuously create specialized programs and modalities to meet individual kids’ needs, never labeling the children or putting them in categorical ‘boxes’.
- Unconditional Love & Acceptance – we strive to display unconditional acceptance for the child (even when we don’t accept the behavior) and provide a safe place to make mistakes. We love kids through their poorest decisions and we don’t give up.
- Set Clear Limits & Provide Accountability – while we love kids where they are, we care too much to allow them to stay where they are. We provide firm accountability when kids cross limits – especially when those infractions cause problems for others.
- Organizational Commitment – from top administrators to support staff, we are directly involved in every resident’s life. Our constant mission is to remain involved and to keep improving everything we do.
- Early Success in Order to Build Hope – we provide for early success on which to build. Goals are very achievable in the early going and the program does not dwell on mistakes – all in an effort to build confidence and HOPE.
- Environment is Loving & Non-threatening – anything contributing to an ‘institutional’ feel is avoided. The program is far from punitive and the culture is supportive and non judgmental. The physical layout is designed to be ‘a house that smiles.’
