History of Baptist Homes, Inc.

In June, 1998 Dr. Bill Causey, Executive Director of the Mississippi Baptist Convention Board, organized a committee to explore the needs of the mentally retarded in Mississippi. The committee was charged with determining whether there was a particular area of concern that needed to be addressed, and if it was feasible to do so.

The committee, some of whom were parents of children with mental retardation, reported that the critical problem area was with adults. There are places and programs in place for those under 21 years old. They are generally in schools and are helped to develop academically and socially. The real problem arises when these children start getting older. After caring for the child for many years, parents begin to realize that their child might outlive them. This becomes a source of fear because they know no one else will give their child the love and attention that they have.

With over 80,000 Mississippians having mental retardation, this is no small problem.

From that committee grew the impetus to do something. The result was that Baptist Homes, Inc. was formed and the idea for SON Valley blossomed. It's important to note that Baptist Homes, Inc. is not a member of the Baptist Cooperative program and therefore receives no funding from the Baptist Convention. The Convention supports the idea of SON Valley and encourages individuals to support it. Note: The State Baptist Convention passed a Resolution in October/2002 endorsing the work of Baptist Homes, Inc. The Resolution is attached.

An important milestone was reached when Baptist Homes, Inc. was given an 80-acre tract of land outside Canton. The catalyst for a good fundraising program was provided when a local Baptist pledged $500,000Ñpayable when Baptist Homes, Inc. raises the initial $500,000.

At this point, the acute need is to reach the goal of $500,000 so that the pledge donor's funds can match it. Then the dirt work will be done (we have someone who will provide this work at low cost) and the infrastructure will be put in place. A road into the property has to be built and paved, a lagoon has to be dug and approved, etc. Water facilities are available at the site. It is expected that this infrastructure work will be finished in time for Phase 1 (two group homes, housing 8-10 residents each, and a multi-purpose building) to be constructed by the end of 2004.

The short history of Baptist Homes, Inc. is a record of God's intervention along with the promise of close fiscal scrutiny of any money spent. A Baptist men's construction group from Texas will provide labor for the construction of Phase 1 (God led us to them). This will allow us to concentrate on finding local material suppliers who are willing to donate and/or give us low prices on the construction materials.