Summer Fun Mean Summer Opportunities

Swimming, fishing, ping-pong, a zip line, and league games all sound like exciting and fun camp activities to any child. Then add on the idea of meeting and interacting with other children their age and making new friends; that is a recipe for a great time!

With funding and support from the First Methodist Church of Marietta, this is now going to be a summer of fun for children within the Reconnecting Families Program to enjoy.

Misty Harkins is a mother of three who was granted the opportunity through RF to send her children to a camp just like this. Misty’s children will be attending the Athens Y Camp in Tallulah Falls, Georgia.

“I am really honored that they are able to go. I am also excited that they will have the chance to do something during the summer!”

In October of 2009, Misty entered the RF program. Upon entering the program, the children were placed in foster care for a year and recently returned home in October of 2010.

“The children haven’t been home long, but the transition has been great!” This shift back into the home has been a success due to programs and activities that the family has participated in. The family has participated in programs including the recently completed Celebrating Families. This is a 16-week program that provides families with dinner and group meetings on Thursday nights. Misty said that one of the main benefits that her family received from the program was the ability to sit down, talk and eat together. The program showed her and her children how to be successful.

After hard work and dedication to her treatment, Misty has been sober for 17 months and enjoys the time and “normal” life that she and her children are now able to take part in. Accountability was the main aspect that Misty said she was missing from her life before treatment, but now it is something that occurs daily. Drug court has helped this accountability happen and in Misty’s opinion has been the best decision ever, she was able to get her children back. Misty says she now knows that there is such thing as a normal life! Congratulations Misty!

Thanks again to the First Methodist Church of Marietta for providing the opportunity to allow children like Misty’s children to participate in the Athens Y Camp!