It was Monday, October 9, 1899. Eldon Potter, the only son of Clinton and Mary Potter, died from Typhoid Fever. Clinton and Mary knew they would not have any other children or any descendants. They decided to start Potter Bible College on their 140-acre farm in honor of Eldon Potter and that school began classes in 1901. The school lasted for more than a decade but had financial difficulties and had to close. The Potters always had a heart for children and on Saturday, Nov. 7, 1914, the deed was filed and “Potter Orphan Home and School” was established where Potter Bible College once was. Since the Potters were members of the Church of Christ, they stipulated that the home was to always be under the control of members of the Church of Christ. Therefore, those on the Board of Trustees and all employees are members of the Church of Christ.
Clinton Potter passed away in 1934 and Mary Potter passed in 1936. Over the years, there have been difficult times. A series of fires in the 1940s destroyed the buildings on campus. But with the help of supporters, new buildings were built.
Since 1914, many changes have taken place in laws, regulations and policies but more than 7,000 children have called where the Potter’s farm used to be, “home.” As regulations changed over the years, services have been modified and added. For many years, children lived in the dormitory in a traditional “orphanage” setting. But as regulations changed, that way of providing for children passed into history. At that time, we began building new houses on campus for children in more of a typical family-style model. Rather than living in a hall with a “matron,” they live in a family setting with a set of “parents.” After the children moved out of the “dorm building” and into houses, the “dorm building” was converted into apartments for single-parent families who are unable to support themselves. Since that time, we have built additional housing for single-parent families in the form of quad-plexes. Single-parent families are provided individual apartments, utilities, food from the pantry, training in life skills and counseling.
The single parents work on goals, with the ultimate goal being to become self-supporting and move out. But, in addition to educational goals, they may have financial goals, parenting goals or goals in any number of areas. Potter Children’s Home has had single parents complete degrees or training in all kinds of areas of interest including business degrees, education degrees, nursing, vocational therapy, cosmetology and many others. While at Potter, they have many of their needs taken care of in a safe, caring environment.
Today, we still have children on campus who either don’t have parents or whose parents are not in a position to take care of them and provide for their needs. We want to help them have a “normal” life that other children experience and enjoy. Many have difficulties in their lives they need help in working through. Counseling is provided for all the residents.
As the number of residents has grown, the staff needs have grown, also. Significant remodeling has occurred to accommodate needed staff. Although changes and modifications have been made in the services over the years, the mission is still the same: guided by the love of God, we want to provide for those who cannot provide for themselves. We believe Clinton and Mary Potter have left quite a legacy that has now lasted for more than 100 years here in Bowling Green.
Potter Children’s Home is supported through and by private donations and does not charge anything for any of the services provided. If anyone is interested in taking a tour of the campus, we are happy to do that. Just call to set up a time.
-submitted by Potter Children’s Home
