We have long referred to Circle of Friends (COF) as our “anchor ministry” at Gilmont. The voyage of life can be treacherous and for families with a child with developmental disabilities, there are many additional challenges. There are waves of uncertainty and stress and there are often feelings of isolation. Yet there is common ground at COF and from what a parent shared with us, “this camp is truly an anchor in the storm.”
God’s Provision in Meeting Our Needs.
We marvel at how God has provided just what each camp has needed – from the leadership who plans and prepares, to the families who attend; and, from the volunteers serving, to the funds provided to keep these camps free to the families. Each COF camp has been special and has uniquely blessed each participating family and those who serve them.
Celebrating Commitments and Moving Forward.
Another way COF has anchored Gilmont is through the deep commitments of those who have been called to step in and be at the helm of leadership over the years. These individuals believe deeply in what the ministry provides and the COF Leadership Team has dedicated untold hours to planning, recruiting, training, fundraising, nurturing, and leading the camps.
This is especially true for Arika Bright, who stayed at the helm of the COF ship when Gilmont was without an Executive Director, throughout the pandemic, and beyond. During this time, Arika and the COF Leadership Team not only kept the ministry afloat, they made it run much smoother! When the Executive Directors were hired, Arika and the COF Leadership Team worked with Jennifer and Kenny to continue to improve the ministry and add a fourth weekend to serve more families. Arika recruited and added additional leadership team members, including Josh Tate, whom she married at Gilmont in 2023!
As the Executive Directors and Program Committee considered the sustainability of Gilmont’s ministries, one of the primary concerns was burnout among staff and volunteers. As Arika and the other members of the COF Leadership Team grow their families, careers, and other responsibilities, it would be increasingly difficult to ask them to volunteer 2-4 weekends a year.
With Crosby Fleming and Andy Hackett joining Gilmont’s year-round staff, Gilmont now has enough senior leadership to lead Circle of Friends with the continued help of our faithful volunteers.
Share in our deep gratitude.
Many leaders have equipped this ministry to serve these special families over the years. The 2022 Leadership Team Working Retreat included some of the most faithful in recent history.
These incredible volunteers will ALWAYS be part of our Circle of Friends, but we cannot expect them to plan, attend, and run ALL of our COF weekends. These individuals have been invited to continue to be part of the ministry as they feel led, serving as Weekend Coordinators, who will work with Gilmont Staff to welcome families and train and oversee volunteers; and, Parent Coordinators who will support the parents and caregivers.
With honor and gratitude, Gilmont wants to recognize those who have served on the Circle of Friends Leadership Team, including: Arika Bright Tate, Doni Barrett, Clay Bourne, Bridget Byers, Chase Caviness, Gavin Cogburn, Max Frick, Brilee Moore, Zach Poorman, Drew Rogers, Melissa Schreiber, Josh Tate, Katy Whiteley, and Will Whiteley.
We invite you email [email protected] “Special Thanks to Arika and the Team” with your special thank you to these wonderful people! We love them and thank God for all the time, energy, and talents they have so generously shared. They have truly anchored the Circle of Friends Ministry during this most recent chapter in the history of Gilmont.
More about the ministry:
Circle of Friends camps were the first to be offered to the community by our newly formed nonprofit organization in the mid-1990s. It all started with a few faithful folks, asking what would serve special needs families in our region, and learning that a family respite camp would answer a longing for safety and understanding. So, in faith, the Board of Directors said “yes” to this call. Today, approximately 100 camp sessions later, COF continues to provide families and volunteers with a weekend of adventures full of memories that they will treasure forever.
Gilmont cultivates a safe space where no one is labeled, the whole family is welcome, and where siblings are not asked to explain the behavior of their brother or sister. It is a true respite for caregivers who are often on duty 24/7, 365 days per year. At camp, they are free to take time for whatever they need – a rest, a walk, a talk with another parent, a massage, or just some time to breathe in the beauty of God’s creation.
We are amazed, again and again, how this safe space we help provide is met with such gratitude on the part of all involved – the volunteers and the families. It has been a place of little miracles where a parent shared, “This is the one time each year that I get to truly relax and let my child be cared for by another – this is truly a gift from God!” And, where a volunteer shared, “this camp taught me that we are really all the same – special – and most basically, we are all just in need of love and understanding.” Everyone involved receives a gift of serving or being served, of learning, and experiencing God’s grace and lovingkindness as we journey together at Gilmont and beyond.