This is my son, Ty, with his grandchild, Cosette (my great-granddaughter). Ty sent me this photo yesterday. It warmed my heart so much!
Isn’t that the most precious photo and the most adorable expression? Someday with the help of her mom and dad, grandparents, her Uncle Sam, and friends who love her enough to read to her, Cosette will know the difference between an up-side-down view and one that is right-side-up. But meantime, this Great-Grandma (call me “GG”) takes enormous joy in seeing the delight in this child’s face – and her interest in books at her young age!
When children are surrounded by love, they grow into loving adults who know how to love in return. Yesterday, while Cosette was receiving this kind of nurturing, my friend, Kathy and I took the hour and a half’s drive from Ennis to Helena. We visited Intermountain Children’s Home and delivered some backpacks with school supplies for a boy and a girl who are there.
Intermountain is a school and residential facility for children who did not have the privilege of a loving start. They are between the ages of 4 and 14 and are critically “at risk.”
I first visited Intermountain about 14 years ago- with my Presbyterian Women’s group. We delivered “Wish List items” to the home for the children. This chapel was not there at that time… it was added to the campus about 6 years ago. I have loved visiting every couple years or so and watching Intermountain grow and thrive.
Intermountain was established in about 1908. It’s been around a long time! It was essentially a home for abandoned children initially. Today it is home to 24 children who need intervention for a variety of reasons. (The numbers were double that before COVID forced the space to house less children for social distancing and safety). There are four cottages with 8 children in each… and a staff of trained professionals who work as counselors, teachers, cottage parents, and administrators.

and Tyler Zimmer, who is Intermountain’s fund-raising coordinator
and an excellent tour guide!
Children who have been abused or neglected need guidance to learn how to play together peacefully, how to get along, how to trust again.
Harry “Dibbs” Mitchell is just one of thousands of children who have been helped by the Intermountain brand love and care. Many, like “Dibbs” went on to live successful lives and enjoyed being able to “give back” to the place that changed their lives when they needed that intervention the most. They have about an 80% success rate – sending children out into the world with less traumatic symptoms than they came with. Not every child is receptive and able to change yet. We need to keep all our children in prayer. God’s not through with them yet… nor are we!
Intermountain’s website can tell you how to add your financial help if you are looking for a way to help children that has a long history of success: https://www.intermountainresidential.org/

(and Grandpa Ty, photographer)
took Cosette to the pumpkin patch

was as pretty as ours
from Helena back to Ennis
I hope you are inspired to think of a way that you can help children in your life. If you’re a mom or dad with family still at home, you have your task facing you daily. Love ’em, read to ’em, and limit their screen time. Give ’em lots of hugs, encouragement, and face-to-face time!

but they are not nearly as good a baby-sitter as you are!
God bless you, Ty & Monika, for being good grandparents.
God bless you, Jordan, for being a loving daddy.
God bless you, Sam, for being an adoring uncle.
Here’s a cute little Halloween kitten to bid you farewell for today.
Love,
JanBeek
Comments on: "Helping Children" (14)
You are simply amazing! Was totally inspired by your post. Keep doing the good things you do. God bless you! ❤️❤️
Thank you, {{{Diana}}}, I appreciate your kind words. I do enjoy sharing the positive things that happen in my life. The world needs a big dose every day of your positivity and mine, don’t you agree?
Yes it does need a super duper huge
Dose❤️😊
Jan, you’re a light to this world!!Cosette is a darling doll surrounded by love and literature ~what a combo! I’m so blessed my grandchildren are in that position. What a blessing that place is for so many children. The plaque proves the difference it can make in lives (80% is huge). What a precious offering of love with the backpacks and supplies. You have a heart of gold and I want to be the same way! God bless you and your friends! Love abs hugs 💚🤗 ps the fall colors are outstanding
What a sweet comment, {{{Karla}}} – Thank you so much! I’m glad to hear you have grandchildren who are in loving families, too. <3
Very sweet photos! Thanks for sharing!
You’re welcome! Thanks for visiting before your bed time after a long work day. <3 I love you!! <3
Delightful pictures of Cosette, who probably knows the story off by heart, so doesn’t need the book to be the right way up 🙂 ; and encouraging story of the care homes.
Thank you, {{{Derrick}}} – – – You’re probably right. Up-side-down or right-side-up, it’s still a great book! <3
X
Jan, thanks for sharing the inspiration which Intermountain brings to so many lives since 1908. The photos of little Cosette take me to some of my precious two-year old granddaughter. She loves books as well.
Isn’t it a joy to see our little ones being turned on to literature at an early age?? SUCH A GIFT! <3
Awesome pics!!! Thank you for sharing the happiness! Blessings! ♥♥