Cahaba Valley Elks Lodge 1738 supports the local charity Family Connection. Family Connection is a 501 C3 non-profit agency providing shelter, counseling, and safety for young people in crisis. The services focus on young people ages 12-17 who are homeless, experiencing family disruption, and in need of counseling support. Family Connection serves numerous children, teens and families through its Youth Shelter, school-based counseling program, family support groups, Drop-in Day Shelter and Outreach to homeless street youth. The Lodge has been supporting the needs of Family Connection since 1978. Counselors are available 24/7 to provide guidance and very needed emotional support. In 2023, Family Connection served 75 residence and already in 2024 it has provided support to 50 youths from the surrounding areas of the Lodge. See more information at Family Connection
August 2024 – Executive Director Jennifer Ellison and Director of Programs Jeremy Raines received a check for $500 from CVEL to assist with the construction of a sensory room for the residents. This area will provide a safe location for youth to have quiet time after experiencing stressful situations. It may also be used for one-on-one counseling sessions. During their visit to the Lodge the Directors provided the twenty-one members present with an in-depth presentation of Family Connection’s programs that assures the safety and well-being of at-risk youth in the Shelby County area. It provides opportunities for youth to grow, thrive, and succeed. CVEL supports Family Connection in all of its areas of outreach by providing school supplies, stocking the residence pantry, distributing basic health care needs to the residents and the homeless youth at its Drop-In Shelter, and contributing to counseling and intervention opportunities. Since January CVEL has supported these outreach efforts with over $1500 in member contributions.
Pictured left to right: Elks Member Mary Ann McKim – Community Charities Chairman; Jennifer Ellison – Executive Director; Jeremy Raines – Program Director; Elks Exalted Ruler Shannon Hubbard.
August 2024
CVEL Community Charities Committee delivered over $300 in school supplies requested by Family Connection and Oak Mountain Missions. Throughout the school year our members’ generous donations will be used to replenish their inventory. Pictured: Program Director, Jeremy Raines and Executive Director Jennifer Ellison were pleased to accept supplies from members Sharon Gaydon, Mary Ann McKim, Cherie Huey, and Resident Manager Roger
Easter 2024
The Cahaba Valley Elks Lodge delivered Easter Baskets to its Community Charity, Family Connection. Executive Director Jennifer Ellison and Director of Programs Jeremy Raines lead programs that provide temporary safe and supportive shelter for area youth. Cahaba Valley Elks raised $200 to provide Easter Baskets to its current residents. The baskets contained not only chocolate candies, but also much needed school supplies and personal hygiene items.
(Pictured: Roger Chambers, Shelter Manager, Cahaba Valley Chaplain Mary Ann McKim, Past ER Sharon Gaydon and Director of Programs Jeremy Raines.)
December 1, 2023
Cahaba Valley Elves delivered Christmas Gift Bags for 20 teens being served by Oak Mountain Mission and Family Connection.
On June 8th, 2023, Cahaba Valley Elks honored Susan Johnston, Executive Director of Shelby County’s Family Connection, with the Elks Distinguished Citizenship Award for Outstanding and Meritorious Service to Humanity. With this award the members donated $100 to help with their summer grocery shopping.
Shown are left to right to right, Director of Programs Phil Cain, Charities Committee member Cherie Huey, Past President Liz Ponder, Susan Johnston, and Committee member Mary Ann McKim.
