FAQ
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What is Tupelo Children’s Mansion?
The Children’s Mansion (TCM) is a residential program that operates as a subsidiary of Tupelo Children’s Mansion Ministries (TCMM), located in Tupelo, Mississippi. Founded in 1953, the Mansion has provided temporary or long-term care to hundreds of children needing a safe and loving environment. It is recognized as one of the oldest and most trusted institutions of its kind, dedicated to the nurturing and well-being of children in need.
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What kind of facilities are at the Mansion?
Our beautiful forty-acre campus includes: residence halls and staff housing, a Christian school, gymnasium, dining hall, and administrative offices. There is also an on-campus church, a maintenance facility, a print shop, a donations center and a thrift store.
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How many children are at the Mansion?
The number of children in residence at any particular time fluctuates between 25 and 50. The Mansion serves between 50 and 65 children per year. Approximately 25 of them are new placements.
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Is Tupelo Children’s Mansion an orphanage? What are the requirements for placement of a child at the Mansion?
Tupelo Children’s Mansion Ministries has not established any set criteria for the placement of children at the Mansion. A committee reviews all applications and determines what children can be best served by our program, whether orphaned, abandoned, abused/neglected, or from a family that finds itself in a crisis situation and needs short-term assistance.
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How much are the fees or tuition while a child is in your care?
Because of the generous financial support of individuals, churches, and businesses, the Mansion can become home to any children in need, regardless of their financial resources. At the time of placement, when possible, relatives are asked to make a commitment of any amount that fits within their budget. When applicable, the referencing church is also encouraged to send support as well.
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What kind of treatment methods are used at TCM?
Tupelo Children’s Mansion is a residential group home, not a residential treatment center. We do not place children who have severe mental health issues. Many of our children come to us in need of Godly counsel and therapy due to their past or current experiences and environment, and for this reason we have a full-time social worker on staff and a contracted clinical psychologist. However, children needing a placement that would require a full treatment plan and intense therapy would not be serviced at TCM.
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What are the living arrangements for the children?
We have six homes on our campus that are referred to as residence halls. These are large homes that house eight to ten children each. Each home offers a full living room, dining area, and kitchen. Some have game rooms or study areas. There are three homes for the boys and three homes for the girls, arranged to give adequate space between the genders.
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Are the Mansion children eligible for adoption?
Tupelo Children's Mansion is a residential program providing care to children whose families are in crisis. Our primary goal is to work with the relatives in a reunification process. Unfortunately, however, there are cases when the family members are unable to provide adequate care for the child, and adoption becomes an option and is in the best interest of the child. TCMM is not an adoption agency and works with New Beginnings International Children and Family Services in the adoption process. For more information contact: www.NewBeginningsAdoptions.org / 662.842.6752.
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If a child at the Mansion can be adopted, how would a family considering adoption become involved in the process?
It is not required that a family be a Special Kid Sponsor in order to adopt a child; however, from a practical standpoint, sponsorship is the avenue in which the large majority of our children are matched with families. As a sponsor, you have the opportunity to be involved in the life of the child, and build a relationship with the child.
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How can I become a Special Kid Sponsor or Guardian Angel Sponsor?
Clicking here will take you to our special pages which you can use to make donations to the ministry or to become a sponsor. If you have any questions, or would prefer to make your sponsorship commitment by telephone, you may call our Sponsor Relations staff members at: 662.791.7724 or 662.791.7726.
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Can the child I sponsor visit me?
Most of the children are allowed to visit sponsors during the summer and during the Christmas holidays. To arrange for a visit, you must send a written request to the Residential Department of TCMM containing the following information:
Your name, address, and phone number.
Your church name, your pastor's name, and his phone number.
Which child you would like to have for a visit or your preference for a child (for example: a boy between the ages of 9 and 12).
When you would like to have the child visit you.
Requests for summer visits should be received at TCM in March or April, and requests for Christmas visits should be received in September. (Please note that some children may not be available for sponsor visits.)
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Where do the Mansion children attend school?
Tupelo Christian Academy is a part of the overall ministry of TCMM. It serves grades three-year-old Kindergarten through 12 and is located on the Mansion campus. Organized in 1979, Tupelo Christian Academy is a private, nonprofit Christian school that offers high academic and spiritual standards to families in northeast Mississippi. The school has grown from an enrollment of 23 to a present enrollment of 125, including staff children and off-campus students. Continued growth is taking place each year.
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What curriculum is taught at Tupelo Christian Academy?
TCA utilizes the A Beka Book and McDougal Littell curricula. All classes are teacher taught. Advanced math and science classes are offered in the high school such as trigonometry and physics. Elective subjects include: psychology, economics, and Spanish. Some of the children benefit from our ACE Learning Center and the special summer school program.
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What is Haven of Hope Girls’ Home?
Opened in 2004, Haven of Hope is an extension of the TCM Residential Department, and it provides a segmented and more structured program to help teenage girls with special behavioral or emotional needs.
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How long does the average child reside at the Mansion?
The average child resides at the Mansion for two years. During that time, we are working towards reunification with family or adoption placement. Some children, through their own choice, stay at TCM until they graduate from high school.
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Where do most of the children without parents go once they have graduated from high school?
Many of them stay at TCM and become a part of our Transition to Independent Living (TIL) program. During that time, they live on campus and attend a local college. Others transfer to out-of-state colleges or Bible colleges. At times, a child will move in with a family with whom they have become closely acquainted with over the years, or, at times, some return to their biological families.
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Who pays for the children's college?
TCMM has an Education and Assistance (E&A) fund that helps with the continuing education of TCA graduates for the first two years.
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Please come! This is our home. . .and we love to have company! You are welcome to visit the campus any time you're in the Tupelo area. Tours of the campus are given from 10:00 A.M. to 3:00 P.M. Monday through Friday, and from 10:00 A.M. to 2:00 P.M. on Saturdays. Tours are by appointment only!
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