District Awards are as follows:

“Beverly Diane Taylor, Friend To Children” Award

The “Friend To Children” Award originally began as an award to a Tennessee legislator who focused special attention on social welfare issues. Now, it is presented each year to any Tennessean who is not a social worker, but who has, nevertheless, worked to improve the lives of Tennessee school children. This recipient may have achieved these improvements through a direct-service agency, through a charity aimed at children, or through the promotion of child focused, public policy.

TASSW is pleased to announce the 2010 “Friend to Children” award goes to: Bethel Bible Village

Beginning as the vision of one man to intervene on behalf of prisoner’s children, Bethel Bible Village was founded by prison evangelist Floyd Hipp.  Reverend Hipp took a step of faith to provide food, shelter and an education to six homeless boys in 1954.

Fifty-six years later, Bethel continues to provide food, shelter and education.  Located in Hixson, Bethel’s 65 acre campus offers safe, nurturing and Christ-centered homes to children of families in crisis.  In addition to providing a home, Bethel’s residential services for children include counseling, independent living skills training, behavior modification and family intervention.  These services are offered in four homes on campus.

Through the intervention of staff and programs offered at Bethel, children and youth understand they are special and can succeed in life.  Hope for the future is realized as they are introduced to Jesus Christ and empowered to fulfill all of their God given potential.

Previous award recipients are partially listed below: