ACES Mission Statement

Welcome to the Official Site of Appalachian Children's Emergency Shelter ("ACES").  Our mission is to provide a safe and nurturing home for children in need. ACES strives to help our children discover their personal strengths and learn to cope with the crises in their lives. We strive to recognize the value and dignity of each individual who resides in our home. Our clients are children between the ages of eight and seventeen years old. These children reside at ACES up to ninety days. Our purpose is to provide emergency shelter for children until permanent placement can be arranged.

HISTORY OF ACES

The vision for ACES began in 2003 when Judge Brenda Weaver faced yet another heart wrenching case when a ten year old girl needed to be placed in the state's custody due to physical abuse by her father, yet there were no available foster homes in Jasper. Having witnessed this similar scenario hundreds of times in the court system, Judge Weaver cried out to the community for action. The community of Pickens County answered her call by initiating the Appalachian Children's Emergency Shelter.

Our construction completion goal is September 2008.  When ready for occupancy, ACES will house up to eight children at a time. There are separate living spaces for the girls and boys with a study hall in each of those two areas. We also have an activity room, a group therapy room, and administrative offices.

STATISTICS

Approximately 100 children are in the state's custody in Pickens County. At this time, there are only 30 approved foster homes in Pickens County, although County growth increased 29% from 2000-2006 and is increasing ever more rapidly all the time. The increasing methamphetamine problem in Pickens County makes the situation even more dire, as the need to find safe homes for children is on the rise.   View Georgia statistics.