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Childhood taught foster parent importance of family
United Way
To coincide with the kickoff of Sedalia-Pettis County United Way’s 2010-11 fundraising campaign, The Sedalia Democrat will publish a series of articles that highlight the various agencies in Sedalia and Pettis County that United Way supports.
The series of articles will focus on how the agencies, 24 of them in all, work to improve people’s lives by providing support, care and nurturing to children, adults and families throughout the community.
The Show-Me Christian Youth Home is more than just a place for children to find shelter and a warm meal.
The five homes in rural La Monte and others throughout the state have helped change the lives of nearly 1,900 children since 1967.
Darrin Taylor, 28, of Mayview, came to the home when he was 9 years old.
“I grew up kind of rough,” Taylor said.
His mother had an abusive boyfriend who took out aggression on Taylor when he was a child. Taylor was placed in the foster care system and went through numerous foster placements that did not work out before he arrived at the home.
“I liked it right away,” Taylor said.
He spent five years at the home in La Monte and realized what a true family was.
“I realized this is a pretty cool place to be,” Taylor said. “You’re just like a regular family.”
Taylor left the home at 15 and attempted to reconnect with his biological family, but it did not work out. He moved to Raytown and started a remodeling business before he got a phone call from an old friend.
Karen Culler, executive director of the home, said it began in 1967 because of a combined effort of 35 churches and 140 individuals who were determined to open a children’s home in Missouri.
“Our goal is to build a bright future for each child who comes by helping them understand that the circumstances that life has thrown them are challenges that can be overcome and that they are valuable,” Culler said.
The La Monte home was the first to be built and now there are homes in seven other locations throughout the state.
The home takes in children who have been neglected, abused, homeless or whose family cannot support them.
Culler said the youngest child to come to the home was 3 days old. Children can stay until they are 18.
“They can overcome the problems of the past and realize God loves them, we love them and they can learn to love themselves,” Culler said.
When the Mayview home needed house parents, Culler called Taylor to see if he were interested.
“It was Karen’s voice, but it’s like God calling,” Taylor said.
As soon as he saw the pictures of the children, he knew he and his wife, Aubree, could help.
For the past four years, Taylor has been raising young boys, including his two biological sons. He now has eight boys in his home.
“There are just too many lives out there similar to mine that just need to know they’re loved,” Taylor said. “I really couldn’t tell you where I’d be if it wasn’t for here. It made all the difference in my life.”
The home relies on funding from organizations like the United Way and donations from area churches and individuals.
“Receiving support from the community is not only a blessing to the success of the work, but also an encouragement to the young people to know that there are others who care,” Culler said. “We really appreciate the United Way’s support that has been so consistent over the years.”
For more information about the Show-Me Christian Youth Home, visit show-mehome.com.
