For youth at the Boys and Girls Homes of North Carolina, therapeutic recreation has become an integral element in the Waccamaw Way model of care.
“The Waccamaw Way utilizes multiple clinical methods of treatment with an individualized treatment plan put together for each youth through our clinical team,” BGHNC President/CEO Ricky Creech said. “Therapeutic Recreation is a treatment service designed to restore, remediate and rehabilitate a youth’s level of functioning and independence in life activities, and promote health and wellness.”
To meet the expanding needs for the youth, Kelly Coughlin has joined Lauren Geiss as a member of the BGHNC therapeutic recreation team as a Recreation Therapist.
“My goals as a recreation therapist at BGHNC are to introduce residents to new leisure opportunities while creating positive memories,” said Coughlin. “I want to give them a safe environment to improve their social skills, ability to work in a team, and develop other important skills.”
Coughlin was working as a recreation therapist in the Charlotte area when she learned about BGHNC.
“I learned about BGHNC through the placement of facility dogs KIAWAH and ZARA,” she said. “At a paws4people event, I heard President Creech discussing BGHNC. That led me to look up the organization and I eventually came across a job posting relating to my experience.”
Coughlin enjoys spending time outdoors in her free time.
“I enjoy hiking and exploring the state parks around North Carolina with my friends and my rehabilitative facility dog SCHALL,” she said. “I also like to try new crafts, as well as go out to eat.
“I am very excited to be part of the BGHNC team,” she added. “I look forward to working with the staff and residents with SCHALL by my side.”
About Boys and Girls Homes of North Carolina
Boys and Girls Homes of North Carolina, Inc., has been helping children since 1954. Since then, more than 7,500 children have benefitted from the services of the not-for-profit, 501(c)3 agency. Its mission is to provide a comprehensive array of services for children and youth who have been removed from their homes due to abuse, neglect or other family dysfunction. BGHNC offers adoption, family and therapeutic foster care, Success Coach services to prevent children from coming into foster care, and free children’s therapy, as well as residential care on the campus at Lake Waccamaw. The campus features a SACS-accredited school with a middle and high school curriculum, vocational education, recreation facilities, farm, chapel and cottage life. As many as 320 children are cared for through the residential, community-based services, and school program provided by BGHNC at any given time. BGHNC operates its program, services and activities in compliance with federal nondiscrimination laws. BGHNC is nationally accredited by the Council on Accreditation.
