Our Journey
The story of The Kelly Children’s Home (KCH) began in 2016, when Josh and Alexis Kelly adopted a child from North Carolina foster care. This life-changing experience opened their eyes to a critical gap: thousands of children in need of homes, and a devastating lack of support for teens aging out of the system. Driven by faith and a mission to provide stability for the vulnerable, the Kellys established KCH as a 501c3 nonprofit in December 2016.
While searching for a permanent home for their vision, the Kellys didn't wait for a building to start serving. Between 2016 and 2023, the organization became a pillar of community support, launching annual Back to School initiatives and Christmas Blessings programs—distributing over 1,000 holiday gifts and 2,000 diapers to families in need each year. From assisting domestic violence survivors to partnering with local schools, the mission was active long before the doors were officially open.
The turning point came in 2020. Amidst the challenges of the pandemic, the Kellys discovered a vacant former church in the City of Washington. In a powerful display of solidarity, the community rallied to help purchase the property outright by September 2020. This momentum led to a transformative partnership with the City of Washington and a grant from the Department of Commerce, enabling the extensive renovation of the facility into a state-of-the-art group home featuring:
- 13–15 Bedrooms for youth and young adults.
- Educational Spaces: Including a library, computer lab, and classroom.
- Family Environments: A visitation center and family-style dining area.
Following a 2024 groundbreaking with BW Architecture and Berry Building Group, our vision finally became a reality. On June 5th, 2025, we celebrated our Ribbon Cutting Ceremony, officially opening our doors as the only licensed Safe Place Agency in Eastern North Carolina. To reflect our expanding mission and commitment to serving vulnerable youth with compassion and opportunity, we established a DBA (Doing Business As) under the name Kelly Center of Hope. We are already welcoming young people into our home, providing the guidance, stability, and hope they deserve. We are excited to see what all the Lord has in store and we're grateful to have you alongside us on the journey.