Let’s go back to 1994 to learn when we acquired the Beckley Campus with Gary Wilson as the President/CEO. At that time known as the Beckley United Methodist Center, Inc. was struggling to keep up with the rapidly changing environment.
Unable to continue a viable program and hoping that much needed ministry to children and families might somehow continue. After much discussion on September 20, 1994, Burlington’s Board and Management Team accepted Beckley’s invitation to bring “new life” to the Beckley campus.
The campus was owned by the United Methodist Board of Hospitals and Homes, Inc., covering more than 60 acres. It included three cottages, an activities building/gymnasium, an office building and a shop/garage. The cottages were closed after 30 years of service. Only two staff remained.
The desire was to resume a ministry in the Beckley area. The hope was to reopen two cottages and introduce a variety of community-based services including foster care, in-home services, adoptive services, transitional living and continue the Right from the Start Program.
Although this was not an easy task, we trusted God to open doors and hearts to bring forth mission-minded, competent staff and leadership.