Annual Report 2021-22

A Message From CEO Dr. Joseph T. Birli
Greetings, Bethany Friends.
As we complete another year having endured the remnants of COVID that continue to add to the many
life changes for everyone, the youth and Team Members of Bethany Children’s Home have exhibited
resiliency and perseverance in the 159th year of our existence. Not even a pandemic will keep us down
because we are Bethany Strong. As we approach our 160th year of operating programs and services
toward helping children heal from unfortunate traumas and abuse at the hands or circumstances beyond
their control, we have become stronger through adversity and challenges.
Yet, despite COVID, we have maintained a strong financial foothold of remaining debt free while managing youth census for
health and safety purposes with limited, dedicated Team Members. Recruitment and retention of such exceptional Team Members
has been a priority over the past year and continues to be into the next. Bethany has committed to renew and has been granted the
federal $6 million grant to serve the Helping Hands unaccompanied children for another 3 years.
Furthermore, with the pandemic, many organizations like Bethany have encountered losses of programs or decrease in services;
therefore, we have observed increased needs and answered the call from numerous counties for the urgent need of emergency
shelter space for youth at immediate risk of abuse and neglect. It is our hope to begin offering emergency shelter services in our
26-bed Henning facility in the new year, however, this is all dependent on the challenges with the workforce demands.
So, I implore, anyone that may have interest or know of someone with the gifts of humility, passion, and relational people skills,
that desires to make an impact on young lives, please refer them to Bethany. But more importantly, if you or someone you know
desires to have your life impacted by working with the exceptional youth of Bethany, please apply. This year we are offering
exceptional employee benefits to include 4.5 weeks of vacation time and individual employee health care coverage with no
premium charge to the employee. These employee benefits are unheard of in the nonprofit sector, let alone in this day and age, but
we must remain competitive and strive to be an employer of choice.
Finally, I realize this may be a strange plea in a letter for an annual report, but we have been in strange times that require every
communication to represent our needs. Therefore, I believe it is important to take every opportunity to express those needs
while sharing the exceptional work taking place on our campus and beyond. Thank you for your continued support, generosity,
thoughts, and prayers.
For the children and youth that are rejected, abandoned, wounded, abused, and neglected, seeking safety and healing, you are
making a difference!
Respectfully,
Dr. Joseph Birli
President/ CEO