PLATINUM2025

United Methodist Children's Home

aka Embrace Alabama Kids and Embrace Florida Kids   |   Montgomery, AL   |  http://embracealkids.org

Learn how to support this organization

Mission

In response to God’s Word, we embrace and nurture vulnerable children and families by providing homes, healing and hope.

Ruling year info

1961

President/CEO

K. Blake Horne

Main address

923 S Perry St

Montgomery, AL 36104-5021 USA

Show more contact info

EIN

63-0302145

NTEE code info

Human Services - Multipurpose and Other N.E.C. (P99)

IRS filing requirement

This organization is required to file an IRS Form 990 or 990-EZ.

Sign in or create an account to view Form(s) 990 for 2023, 2022 and 2021.
Register now

Communication

Programs and results

What we aim to solve

SOURCE: Self-reported by organization

The United Methodist Children's Home (UMCH) is focused on providing homes, healing and hope to vulnerable children who can't live with their biological parents due to possible neglect, abuse or abandonment. With children as our first priority, we also help broken families address harmful behavior, giving them a second chance at becoming whole again. We're on a mission to change the trajectory of lives for vulnerable kids and families in crisis by providing safe environments for kids. Our caring and compassionate staff provide stability, care and support for a wide variety of people across a spectrum of ages and life stages: from infant to teen; college student to young adult; and beyond for biological parents.

Our programs

SOURCE: Self-reported by organization

What are the organization's current programs, how do they measure success, and who do the programs serve?

Foster Care/In-Home Programs: Alabama and Florida

UMCH serves 37 counties in Alabama and Florida through its foster program. The agency recruits and trains foster families to provide temporary homes for abused and neglected children. Therapeutic Foster Care serves children with mental health issues, and Enhanced Foster Care serves large sibling groups. In addition, Respite Care is offered for short-term stays (weekends to 2 weeks) and provides support and relief for other foster families.

Population(s) Served
Children and youth

These homes in Tuscaloosa and Florence provide a stable and loving environment for college-age youth in foster care or alternative living situations. Supportive staff members are available 24 hours per day and provide stability and continuity for these young adults. UMCH also provides scholarships for students in foster care.

Population(s) Served
Children and youth
Students

Transitional homes fill the gap for youth who are old enough to leave group homes or foster care but aren't ready to live independently. Participants, ages 17-21, must hold a job, attend school or pursue a vocation. They receive financial assistance and guidance while learning necessary life skills.

Population(s) Served
Children and youth

The Family Preservation program aims to keep families together by helping parents who have lost or are at risk of losing their children. The intensive in-home treatment provides them with the skills necessary to handle challenges in a healthy way and provide safe, loving homes. The program has a 95-98% success rate.

Population(s) Served
Families

Three group homes serve youth who can no longer live with their parents or in a foster care setting. The kids, ages 11-18, often have mild to moderate emotional and behavioral problems. Family members remain involved whenever possible. A fourth home, which opened in 2018, serves teenages with autism.

Population(s) Served
Children and youth

This program provides residential group care for mothers ages 14-20 and their children, ages birth - 4. Long-term goals include strengthening bonds between mothers and children, building self-esteem, and preventing repeat pregnancies while single.

Population(s) Served
Children and youth
Infants and toddlers

UMCH serves couples hoping to adopt within the United States or from other countries. The staff conducts training and home studies and is a support system for prospective families. Staff also links birth parents with vital services and resources.

Population(s) Served
Families

Where we work

  • Alabama (United States)

  • Andalusia (Alabama, United States)

  • Auburn (Alabama, United States)

  • Birmingham (Alabama, United States)

  • Dothan (Alabama, United States)

  • East Milton (Florida, United States)

  • Escambia County (Florida, United States)

  • Florence (Alabama, United States)

  • Headland (Alabama, United States)

  • Mobile (Alabama, United States)

  • Okaloosa County (Florida, United States)

  • Santa Rosa County (Florida, United States)

  • Scottsboro (Alabama, United States)

  • Tuscaloosa (Alabama, United States)

  • Walton County (Florida, United States)

Our results

SOURCE: Self-reported by organization

How does this organization measure their results? It's a hard question but an important one.

Number of clients in residential care

This metric is no longer tracked.
Totals By Year
Related Program

Residential Group Homes: Alabama and Florida

Type of Metric

Output - describing our activities and reach

Direction of Success

Holding steady

Number of participants engaged in programs

This metric is no longer tracked.
Totals By Year
Type of Metric

Output - describing our activities and reach

Direction of Success

Holding steady

Our Sustainable Development Goals

SOURCE: Self-reported by organization

Learn more about Sustainable Development Goals.

Goals & Strategy

SOURCE: Self-reported by organization

Learn about the organization's key goals, strategies, capabilities, and progress.

Charting impact

Four powerful questions that require reflection about what really matters - results.

To continue to meet the needs of the vulnerable children and families in Alabama and Northwest Florida.

We're fiercely passionate about serving and advocating for vulnerable children. We do more than provide housing for children, we embrace them into environments in which they can live, learn and thrive.

Our ministry offers services across Alabama and Northwest Florida through group homes, foster care and adoption programs, family preservation services, transitional living programs, scholarship homes, school readiness programs, and homes for mothers and their children. UMCH is accredited by the Council on Accreditation.

For the children, youth and families we serve, the facilities and staff are perhaps the most crucial component of our ministry. Our houses are homes - often the only real ones our kids have ever known. Our staff members are so much more than employees earning paychecks. They are the biggest cheerleaders our boys and girls have ever had. They are hugs and kisses, high-fives, heart-to-heart talks, nurturers, rule enforces, and role models. They are the family our children and youth so desperately deserve.

EAK and EFK utilize a number of assessment tools to assure the best overall treatment planning. Initial intake assessments are conducted at admission to address the developmental needs of the youth and family system and to ensure that the interventions and supports necessary are available to meet the identified needs of the youth and family. EAK and EFK utilize assessment tools to evaluate the overall functioning of youth to include their emotional stability, trauma exposure, substance use, independent living readiness, parenting skills and basic living skills. EAK and EFK use current industry standard, evidenced-based assessment tools.

Financials

United Methodist Children's Home
lock

Unlock financial insights by subscribing to our monthly plan.

Subscribe

Unlock nonprofit financial insights that will help you make more informed decisions. Try our monthly plan today.

  • Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
  • Access beautifully interactive analysis and comparison tools
  • Compare nonprofit financials to similar organizations

Want to see how you can enhance your nonprofit research and unlock more insights?
Learn more about GuideStar Pro.

Operations

The people, governance practices, and partners that make the organization tick.

lock

Connect with nonprofit leaders

Subscribe

Build relationships with key people who manage and lead nonprofit organizations with GuideStar Pro. Try a low commitment monthly plan today.

  • Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
  • Access beautifully interactive analysis and comparison tools
  • Compare nonprofit financials to similar organizations

Want to see how you can enhance your nonprofit research and unlock more insights? Learn More about GuideStar Pro.

lock

Connect with nonprofit leaders

Subscribe

Build relationships with key people who manage and lead nonprofit organizations with GuideStar Pro. Try a low commitment monthly plan today.

  • Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
  • Access beautifully interactive analysis and comparison tools
  • Compare nonprofit financials to similar organizations

Want to see how you can enhance your nonprofit research and unlock more insights? Learn More about GuideStar Pro.

United Methodist Children's Home

Board of directors
as of 4/1/2025
SOURCE: Self-reported by organization

Andrea McCain BOARD MEMBER

Andrea McCain

Anna Comer

Anna Comer BOARD MEMBER

Arnab Ghosal BOARD MEMBER

Beth Kilgore BOARD MEMBER

Bishop David Graves

Bishop, Alabama-West Florida Conference of the UMC

Bishop David Graves BOARD MEMBER

Bishop Debbie Wallace-Padgett BOARD MEMBER

Bishop Debbie Wallace-Padgett

Bishop, North Alabama Conference of the UMC

Board Secretary/Treasurer Lisa Free

Brad Norris BOARD MEMBER

Brad Norris

General Contractor

Dawn Theune BOARD MEMBER

Debby Spain BOARD MEMBER

Debby Spain

Judy Bonner BOARD MEMBER

Judy Bonner

Ed Reifenberg

Greg Crouch

Hope Johnson

Jeannie Dodson BOARD MEMBER

Jeannie Dodson

Jerry Maygarden

John Hemmings

John Hemmings BOARD MEMBER

John Miller

Belterra Partners

Jonathan Ratliff

Jonathan Ratliff BOARD MEMBER

Kim Bullard

Linda Cain Ruth BOARD MEMBER

Lisa Free VICE CHAIR

Mark Colson BOARD MEMBER

Mark Colson

Business Council of Alabama

Mark Saliba

Mark Snead SECRETARY/TRESURER

Past-President Glenda Allred

Deputy Finance Director, Finance Director's Office, State of Alabama

Pat Franklin BOARD MEMBER

Patrick Quinn

Century Church, Pike Road

Sommer Vaughn BOARD MEMBER

Steve Umphrey BOARD MEMBER

Steve Umphrey

Susie Bonner BOARD MEMBER

Tyler Fuller

Warren Matthews CHAIR

Warren Matthews

Wesley Britt

Alabama Power

Wesley Britt BOARD MEMBER

Board leadership practices

SOURCE: Self-reported by organization

GuideStar worked with BoardSource, the national leader in nonprofit board leadership and governance, to create this section.

  • Board orientation and education
    Does the board conduct a formal orientation for new board members and require all board members to sign a written agreement regarding their roles, responsibilities, and expectations? yes
  • CEO oversight
    Has the board conducted a formal, written assessment of the chief executive within the past year ? yes
  • Ethics and transparency
    Have the board and senior staff reviewed the conflict-of-interest policy and completed and signed disclosure statements in the past year? yes
  • Board composition
    Does the board ensure an inclusive board member recruitment process that results in diversity of thought and leadership? yes
  • Board performance
    Has the board conducted a formal, written self-assessment of its performance within the past three years? yes

Organizational demographics

info Candid has made improvements to the race and ethnicity options.

Who works and leads organizations that serve our diverse communities? Candid partnered with CHANGE Philanthropy on this demographic section.

Leadership

The organization's leader identifies as:

Race & ethnicity
White/Caucasian/European
Gender identity
Male

Race & ethnicity

Gender identity

Transgender Identity

Sexual orientation

Disability