Some children arrive at Christ's Haven unsure of their next home, hoping it’s the last time they have to move.
A newly renovated cottage by Milestone Church is designed to make that moment of uncertainty feel more steady.
The remodel marks the third Christ's Haven home upgraded through Milestone Church’s ongoing partnership with the organization, which helps give displaced youth a sense of normalcy, dignity and hope.
Stability in uncertain seasons
Christ's Haven residential program provides homes for children ages 0 to 18 whose families are temporarily unable to care for them due to crises. It serves as an option outside traditional foster care, offering a consistent home-based support model during transitions.
Each home is led by houseparents responsible for meeting daily needs, including food, childcare, medical care, counseling, tutoring and overall stability.
“They’re providing homes for children who, at that time, don’t have another place to go,” Marketing and Communications Manager Callie Schiesser said. “Christ's Haven focuses on creating normalcy, dignity, and hope while families work through difficult seasons.”
The goal is not just housing, but creating a daily rhythm that feels familiar—shared meals, consistent routines and a sense of belonging during uncertain seasons.
Inside the third remodeled cottage
For Milestone Church, the latest remodel focused on strengthening the spaces where kids eat, talk, study and feel at home.
The kitchen and shared living areas were redesigned to support structure and flexibility for families with children of varying ages.
Key upgrades include:
- Open-concept kitchen designed for connection and visibility
- Expanded dining table for varying group sizes
- Upgraded appliances for heavy daily use— including bottle washing and meal prep
- Additional seating for shared meals and conversations
- New outdoor fencing for child safety
- Outdoor family space with seating and play elements for gathering
Providing more than shelter
While the renovations improve function, those involved said the deeper impact is emotional—helping children feel secure enough to open up, build trust and begin healing.
That sense of belonging often lasts beyond a child’s stay. Some return years later for holidays or milestones, still calling the cottage home.
“We’ve seen a lot of gratitude,” Schiesser said. “These homes are where they come back and call home.”
A broader commitment to serve
The project was funded through Milestone Church’s annual missions budget, which supports local outreach and community initiatives.
This is the third Christ's Haven cottage the church has renovated, with future projects expected as part of its ongoing service efforts.
“We don’t want to just be a big church with a lot of people; we want to be known as a church that helps people,” Schiesser said.
Learn more
To learn about Milestone Church service times or involvement opportunities, click here.
To learn about Christ's Haven and its programs, click here.
The above story was produced by Multi-Platform Journalist Chloe Chapel, with the Community Impact's Storytelling team, using information solely provided by the local business as part of their "sponsored content" purchase through our advertising team.
