Behind every miracle there is a story.
One Hundred and twenty years ago the Methodist people of South Carolina heard the cries of hundreds of orphans. With faith, hope, determination and scant financial resources, Epworth Orphanage was established. From those humble beginnings, thousands of children and families have turned to Epworth in their time of need. Each child’s situation was wrapped in a dismal story, but with Epworth came the opportunity to create a beautiful new future. With every transformation there is a story. A story of triumph. A story of an Epworth Miracle.
Sam
Click to set custom HTML
Sam's family was in crisis, until Epworth opened its doors to them.
Sam* is a three year old boy who came to Epworth through the Family Care Center (FCC). He came with his older sister and, unlike most children at Epworth, his pregnant mother. His mother battled addictions to alcohol and drugs, and was in danger of losing custody of her children. Through the FCC, the children remained safe while the family was able to remain intact as their mother received therapy and parenting skills.
Like most three year olds, Sam had a lot of energy but his behavior was aggressive and out of control. He constantly chased the other children in the FCC and threw toys and punches at his caretakers. When his mother saw this she reacted hastily and yelled at him, sending him spiraling into more aggressive behavior. Sam’s behavior was a problem and with a new baby on the way, his habit of hitting was a concern for everyone.
The Epworth staff immediately began to redirect him. When he would hit they told him, “Sam, I’m not for hitting,” and then redirected his behavior to something constructive. He would stop for awhile, but inevitably a new episode would arrive. Around the clock, the staff provided consistent redirection, all the while modeling good parenting techniques for his mother.
After months of care, Sam’s behavior began to shift and his hitting began to disappear. It was just in time, because not long after that, his mother gave birth to a healthy little boy who was drug and alcohol free. By that time Sam’s behavior improved so much that he was never a threat to the infant. When his mom came home from the hospital, they moved into the transition apartment at the FCC and lived together—as a family.
Not long ago, when his mother graduated from the FCC and they moved out on their own, Sam served as co-host for his mother’s graduation party. The polite, generous boy welcomed every guest at the door and smiled as his mother served him a piece of cake to celebrate their transformation.
*Name and photo changed to protect the family's privacy
Like most three year olds, Sam had a lot of energy but his behavior was aggressive and out of control. He constantly chased the other children in the FCC and threw toys and punches at his caretakers. When his mother saw this she reacted hastily and yelled at him, sending him spiraling into more aggressive behavior. Sam’s behavior was a problem and with a new baby on the way, his habit of hitting was a concern for everyone.
The Epworth staff immediately began to redirect him. When he would hit they told him, “Sam, I’m not for hitting,” and then redirected his behavior to something constructive. He would stop for awhile, but inevitably a new episode would arrive. Around the clock, the staff provided consistent redirection, all the while modeling good parenting techniques for his mother.
After months of care, Sam’s behavior began to shift and his hitting began to disappear. It was just in time, because not long after that, his mother gave birth to a healthy little boy who was drug and alcohol free. By that time Sam’s behavior improved so much that he was never a threat to the infant. When his mom came home from the hospital, they moved into the transition apartment at the FCC and lived together—as a family.
Not long ago, when his mother graduated from the FCC and they moved out on their own, Sam served as co-host for his mother’s graduation party. The polite, generous boy welcomed every guest at the door and smiled as his mother served him a piece of cake to celebrate their transformation.
*Name and photo changed to protect the family's privacy
Khalilah
Khalilah becomes a first generation college graduate
A few years ago in The Record, Khalilah shared her Epworth story of how she overcame fear in her life and found stability at Epworth in her teenage years. Being able to live in a structured environment, while keeping in touch with her family, put her on a trajectory for a great future. Part of that future recently became a reality.
Khalilah became the first college graduate in her family when she crossed the stage at Claflin University. She earned a degree in marketing and finished her college degree with honors, earning over a 3.0 grade point average. Khalilah completed her degree while being a part of Epworth’s Independent Living Program for young people ages 18-23 who are transitioning from Epworth’s cottages into independent adulthood. With degree in-hand, Khalilah is now looking ahead to the next chapter in life, graduate school.
She has already lined up her first post-college jobs. This summer she is working at a local financial advisor’s office. As she helps around the office, Khalilah is learning financial advice that many young people in their early twenties have not yet considered. She is learning the benefits of accelerated debt reduction, how to navigate the insurance marketplace, budgeting and the advantages of retirement planning. All of this information is exceptionally timely as is she looking to move into her first apartment later this year and is currently saving to purchase her first car.
After graduation she was a counselor in Columbia’s City Year AmeriCorps Program where she mentored other young people to improve educational outcomes for students and communities. Her City Year program built from her prior experience at Clemson University’s Emerging Scholars summer camp for disadvantaged youth, where she was voted Counselor of the year by the campers.
“I love kids,” Khalilah said. “I just love talking with them and hearing about what they are going through. Kids these days know so much more than most people think. It is great to just talk with them about what they have experienced and help them however I can.”
Khalilah also reaches out to those younger children at Epworth to help them follow in her footsteps. Recently she spoke to our residents during worship at “Graduation Sunday” and emphasized the importance of education, whether it is through a college or university, the military, or another path – keep learning. “No one can take away your knowledge. They can take your clothes, your money… but they can’t take away what you have learned.”
Khalilah became the first college graduate in her family when she crossed the stage at Claflin University. She earned a degree in marketing and finished her college degree with honors, earning over a 3.0 grade point average. Khalilah completed her degree while being a part of Epworth’s Independent Living Program for young people ages 18-23 who are transitioning from Epworth’s cottages into independent adulthood. With degree in-hand, Khalilah is now looking ahead to the next chapter in life, graduate school.
She has already lined up her first post-college jobs. This summer she is working at a local financial advisor’s office. As she helps around the office, Khalilah is learning financial advice that many young people in their early twenties have not yet considered. She is learning the benefits of accelerated debt reduction, how to navigate the insurance marketplace, budgeting and the advantages of retirement planning. All of this information is exceptionally timely as is she looking to move into her first apartment later this year and is currently saving to purchase her first car.
After graduation she was a counselor in Columbia’s City Year AmeriCorps Program where she mentored other young people to improve educational outcomes for students and communities. Her City Year program built from her prior experience at Clemson University’s Emerging Scholars summer camp for disadvantaged youth, where she was voted Counselor of the year by the campers.
“I love kids,” Khalilah said. “I just love talking with them and hearing about what they are going through. Kids these days know so much more than most people think. It is great to just talk with them about what they have experienced and help them however I can.”
Khalilah also reaches out to those younger children at Epworth to help them follow in her footsteps. Recently she spoke to our residents during worship at “Graduation Sunday” and emphasized the importance of education, whether it is through a college or university, the military, or another path – keep learning. “No one can take away your knowledge. They can take your clothes, your money… but they can’t take away what you have learned.”
Len
In Len's Own Words: Epworth's impact on my family.
My experience with Epworth began with my mother. Emma Blair Crouch lost both of her parents before she was 12. Her father was a rural mail carrier delivering mail throughout Saluda County using a horse and buggy. On a freezing winter day in 1929 while crossing a creek, his horse spooked causing the mail to fall into the creek. He jumped into the creek to retrieve the mail. He had to endure a long and freezing buggy ride back to his home. Sadly, he came down with pneumonia and died weeks days later. Seven years later my grandmother died from the flu.
My mother was suddenly an orphan at age 11. With no one there to care for her, her Methodist church pastor arranged for her to live at Epworth. Epworth and the children that lived there became her family. Recently, I discovered my mother’s 1940 Epworth graduation picture. She is the beautiful lady third from the left. She later worked as a secretary using the job skills learned at Epworth. Epworth has raised many great young citizens during its 122 years of service. Here is one in my Mother’s class. William E Sellars, the handsome young man on the far right, went on to be a business leader in Columbia and a Director for First Citizens Bank in Columbia.
In 1942 my mom met my dad, Leonard Ross, Sr. They married and I was born in October 1943. As you know the country was at war with Germany and Japan. My dad went to the South Pacific. When the war ended he returned home. Mom and dad were very young. Sadly, my dad was not in love with my mother. They divorced. Mom had nowhere to turn for support, except her family at Epworth. She was 23 years old and a single mom. I was 3 ½ and her only alternative was to place me in the little kids cottage at Epworth. Here is a photo of me at 4 years old when Santa came to Epworth to see his favorite kid. I lived there until I was 10. Mom married my step-father and I left Epworth to live with them.
While at Epworth, I attended school on campus learning to read, learning my ABC’s and Arithmetic. I also learned the Salvation Story about Jesus Christ dying for our sins. My core values were framed at Epworth! This Mission of Epworth has always been being a safety net for children. This is why I encourage each of you to be generous with your support!
My mother was suddenly an orphan at age 11. With no one there to care for her, her Methodist church pastor arranged for her to live at Epworth. Epworth and the children that lived there became her family. Recently, I discovered my mother’s 1940 Epworth graduation picture. She is the beautiful lady third from the left. She later worked as a secretary using the job skills learned at Epworth. Epworth has raised many great young citizens during its 122 years of service. Here is one in my Mother’s class. William E Sellars, the handsome young man on the far right, went on to be a business leader in Columbia and a Director for First Citizens Bank in Columbia.
In 1942 my mom met my dad, Leonard Ross, Sr. They married and I was born in October 1943. As you know the country was at war with Germany and Japan. My dad went to the South Pacific. When the war ended he returned home. Mom and dad were very young. Sadly, my dad was not in love with my mother. They divorced. Mom had nowhere to turn for support, except her family at Epworth. She was 23 years old and a single mom. I was 3 ½ and her only alternative was to place me in the little kids cottage at Epworth. Here is a photo of me at 4 years old when Santa came to Epworth to see his favorite kid. I lived there until I was 10. Mom married my step-father and I left Epworth to live with them.
While at Epworth, I attended school on campus learning to read, learning my ABC’s and Arithmetic. I also learned the Salvation Story about Jesus Christ dying for our sins. My core values were framed at Epworth! This Mission of Epworth has always been being a safety net for children. This is why I encourage each of you to be generous with your support!
