The Twin Cedars history is characterized by a strong tradition of caring for and providing services for children dating back over 160 years.
1845
1924
1963
1965
1973
1980
Community leaders in LaGrange, Georgia, under the leadership of Mrs. Arthur “Click” Bradfield, concerned for the safety and welfare of local children and families in crisis, formed the West Georgia Youth Council.
1990
The Bradfield Center Campus in LaGrange, located at 1022 East Depot Street, was created to meet the needs of troubled youth and was licensed to serve up to 40 boys from throughout the State of Georgia. A plan was launched to serve youth ages 9 to 17 who suffered from sexual abuse, trauma, severe emotional disturbances, and those exhibiting sexually aggressive behaviors.
1991
The West Georgia Youth Council relocated to the former Eastside Primary/Boys Junior High School property at 1022 East Depot Street. Located on 15 acres, this facility provided services for boys at Hudson Boys Group Home, services for girls at the Bradfield Girls Group Home, and offered after school and evening treatment services through the Youth Guidance Center.
1993
The Anne Elizabeth Shepherd Home in Columbus merged with the West Georgia Youth Council in LaGrange on May 18, 1993. The name was officially changed to Twin Cedars Youth Services, Inc. on October 19, 1993.
Currently, The Anne Elizabeth Shepherd Home serves up to 58 girls ranging in age from 7 to 17. Three cottages on the campus are utilized for residential services and support a fully accredited year-round school, Ault Academy. Two group homes, Owens Cottage and Reality House, are also part of the Anne Elizabeth Shepherd Home Campus.
2002
The Children’s Advocacy Center of Troup County was established in 2002 in response to a community need for a coordinated systems approach to serving victims of child abuse within the Coweta Judicial Circuit. With support of the District Attorney’s Office, the CAC opened its doors in early 2003.
2003
Through a unique partnership with Habitat for Humanity and The Jimmy Carter Work Project, the Magnolias Campus was constructed. Programs now at this campus include: the Partners in Prevention Project and the Circle of Care program.
2004
George R. Moore Specialized Foster Care program began in June of 2004. Over the past ten years, the program has grown to 30 homes with approximately 27 children in care. The program now provides services in Columbus, LaGrange, and Macon.
2004 also saw the establishment of the Annette Boyd Group Home at the Magnolia Campus in LaGrange, Georgia. The home caters to girls ages 13-17.
2005
Twin Cedars Youth Services, Inc. was named the Agency of the Year by the Georgia Association of Homes and Services for Children.
In May 2006, the new Connections facility was completed and dedicated in honor of Mr. Lewis L. Banks, a charter member of the West Georgia Youth Council.
2006
The Bradfield Campus houses the main administrative center, two residential cottages, a gym housing a challenge ropes course, a recreation field, a cafeteria, and a fully accredited school, Ault Academy. Connections Group Home is also part of the Bradfield Center Campus. The Bradfield Campus and Connections serves up to 50 boys ranging in ages from 9 to 17.
2007
In June of 2007, Circle of Care celebrated “A Decade of Service to Teen Mothers.” The program was established in 1997 by the Troup Family Connection Authority in collaboration with Troup County DFCS and District Four Health Services to address the issue of rising repeat pregnancy rates in the LaGrange Community. Overall, 700 teen mothers, babies, and fathers have been assisted by Circle of Care services.
In response to a statewide change in service delivery in 2007, the Community Counseling program was established in LaGrange and Columbus in order to meet treatment needs of youth in residential care, as well as the community at large.
2008
In LaGrange, the Callaway Foundation granted TCYFS the use of the Coleman Center for a long-term lease of $1 per year. In addition, the Foundation assumed the cost of renovations which was estimated at $1,450,000 for the 12,000 square foot facility. Completed in July of 2008, the newly renovated facility now houses the Twin Cedars human resources & finance departments, the Children’s Advocacy Center of Troup County, Darkness to Light, admissions office, training offices, marketing and development, and administrative offices.
Chattahoochee CASA was established in November of 2008 to recruit, screen, train, and retain volunteers to serve abused, neglected, or abandoned children involved in juvenile court deprivation hearings in the Chattahoochee Judicial Circuit.
2009
The Georgia Association of Homes and Services for Children (GAHSC) honored Mike Angstadt, Executive Director of TCYFS with the 2009 Leadership Award.
2012
In May, the doors of the new Dorothy Wells Knight Community Counseling Center opened. Located at 1025 First Avenue, the facility houses Twin Cedars’ Columbus area mental health services. Major funding for the project was secured from the Dorothy Wells Knight UniTrust in 2010. The centrally located facility in Uptown Columbus will serve children and adolescents through individual or group therapy to overcome an array of problems.
2013
Joining the TCYFS team in 2013 was the Lee County CASA program. Lee County CASA opened its doors in January of 2011 and began taking cases in September of 2011.
The Child Advocacy Center of East Alabama joined the Twin Cedars Youth & Family Services team. Established in 1991 with services offered in 1993, the CAC was created to provide a safe environment for the children in the Lee County Judicial System.
Darkness to Light was adopted and introduced to Troup County by TCYFS and Troup County Family Connection Authority in October of 2013. The program was made possible by a grant from the Callaway Foundation.
The Alcohol Prevention Initiative, a social marketing campaign to decrease underage drinking, was launched. As a partnership with the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities, the program will ask the community to “Be the Wall” between teens and alcohol.
Children’s Tree House, the Columbus-based Child Advocacy Center was established to meet the needs of abused and neglected children in the six counties that make up the Chattahoochee Judicial Circuit. CTH has a history dating back 25 years of serving victims of the Chattahoochee Judicial Circuit.
Reality House, a residential youth development program for girls 14-21
Teambuilding started in Columbus in the late 1980’s and was spearheaded by Executive Director Mike Angstadt. As the program grew, Teambuilding expanded to included LaGrange and Macon courses.
Twin Cedars Youth Services changed its name to Twin Cedars Youth & Family Services, Inc. to better depict its true mission of serving youth and families.
2017
In January of 2017 Sheri Cody started her new role as Executive Director. Sheri served as Deputy Director for the past thirteen years. She brings wealth of experience in the human services and mental health fields.
