From staff reports

Twin Cedars Youth Services has acquired Georgia Industrial Children’s Home of Macon.

The Georgia Industrial Children’s Home Foundation will maintain ownership of its 172-acre campus, endowment and trust.

A streamlining of administrative duties will allow for expanded services, better serving children, said Mike Angstadt, executive director of LaGrange-based Twin Cedars. The home currently operates two cottages, one for boys and one for girls. Future plans are to make the campus girls-only. It is Twin Cedars’ first general children’s home.

The home, founded in 1898 by the Rev. William E. Mumford, serves abused and neglected children.

“Rev. Mumford wanted to have a home where he could teach a trade to the boys and girls. That way when they left, they had a way to support themselves,” Angstadt said. “That’s why it’s named industrial.’ He wanted to teach them the importance of work.”

Georgia Industrial Children’s Home Board members Larry Kemper and his sister, Betty Lhotka, have been associated with the home since 1950 when their father, Marvin Kemper, was executive director. The two were raised at the home and have served on the board the past 25 years.

“The decision to partner with Twin Cedars respects and preserves the rich legacy of the home and strengthens our future to the benefit of all we serve,” Kemper said.

His sister agreed.

“Both organization have national accreditation. Our services will reach an estimated 1,800 babies, children, teens ad families,” Lhotka said.

In addition to residential programming and specialized foster care, Twin Cedars’ continuum of care includes Second Chance Homes for teen mothers and their babies, community mental health centers, child advocacy centers, youth leadership programs, pregnancy and child abuse prevention programs, parenting programs, summer camps, ropes and team building, and educational services.

The new name of the Home will be Georgia Industrial Children’s Home, a campus of Twin Cedars Youth Services Inc.