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Imagine being unsure of where your
next meal was coming from, whether you would have a roof over your head, whether
your parents would be around, or whether you would be abused today. This
scenario probably seems very far away from your own life or the lives of your
children. Thanks to Clear Creek Farm, area children have the opportunity to
escape from this daily reality. They live in a loving, caring environment that
helps them develop spiritually, morally, emotionally and educationally.
Clear Creek Farm has been a nonprofit Children's Home in Shelby County for the past 28 years. The children who make their home here at Clear Creek Farm come from all over Ohio and are between 6 and 18 years of age. However, we do accept children from anywhere in the United States. Each home has the capacity to accommodate up to 10 children and sits on 70 acres of rolling farmland. Married couples serve as house parents in each home, and since this is their primary residence, they are able to foster a feeling of permanence and normality to the children who come to the home.
Children can be referred to Clear
Creek in a variety of ways. Children's Services, judges or family members may
make the Initial application to the program. Once the Clear Creek staff and
board choose a child who will be compatible with the other children, overnight
visits are planned and meetings are held with the prospective candidate. Once
accepted, the child's stay may be short term or if long term will remain
until high school graduation. The new resident takes part in all aspects of being a family,
including chores, shopping, meals and yearly vacations. In this environment, Clear Creek is able to teach respect and
responsibility, while showing each child what a loving family can be.
Education is an extremely important part of each resident's life. All the children attend Hardin-Houston schools. Because of past living situations, some of the children are behind in their studies when they come to Clear Creek. Consequently, tutors are available in the homes twice a week during the school year to help with homework or projects. The rewards of tutoring can be seen as several of the children have been on the honor roll or named to the National Honor Society. Aside from academics, many of the Clear Creek children participate in extracurricular activities such as baseball, basketball, volleyball, track, cross country, Muse Machine and marching band.
Clear Creek recently added a transition home for those children who have graduated from high school. They may choose to live In the new home as they attend college or start in the work force. In this way, they will still receive counseling and guidance, while learning to adjust to living on their own. This is one more step in assuring the child's success In the world.
The inception of Clear Creek Farm became possible due to the financial support of Paul G. Duke, Founder of Chemlawn. In cooperation with the Upper Valley Joint Vocational School, the first home was built in 1983. Since that time, Clear Creek has depended on foundations, grants, corporate contributions, and individual donors to exist. Clear Creek does not receive any state or federal funding. It is licensed by Ohio Dept. of Job & Family Services.
We are a non-profit organization, licensed by the State of Ohio Job & Family Services, and operating under section 501(c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code.