The name is meant to reflect the program's communal nature and the benefits to all involved. 

Horses and Hereos is designed to meet the needs of disabled children through therapeutic horsemanship. Our PATH-accredited program, our sensitive Gypsy Vanner horses, and beautiful indoor riding arena are ready to welcome your children.

For more information please contact Amber Miller at (217) 226-2226. Click HERE to download our Horses and Heroes program flyer.

The R.I.D.E. program is an additional community riding program! R.I.D.E is a beginning level horsemanship program with a focus on personal goals, such as improving Resilience, Regulation, Independence, Determination, Dependability, and Empathy.

Our R.I.D.E. program is for all children to experience the benefits of equine therapy in building skills and confidence.

Click HERE to download our R.I.D.E. Registration Flyer

Camp Carew provides a setting in which the Christian faith can be experienced in fellowship with others.

We seek to help people deepen their awareness of God, each other, and the natural world by providing a camp program and a setting in which personal growth can take place. Our goal is that campers will strengthen their own sense of personal worth as well as their relationship to Jesus Christ and to others.

Camp Carew is a member of the Presbyterian Church Camp and Conference Association (PCCCA), and a member of the American Camp Association.

Summer activities at Camp Carew are directed toward Christian community. Through group living in the small unit, campers and leaders are challenged to work, plan, play, study, sing, and worship together.

Camp Carew is open for rental and can host retreats for persons of all ages throughout the year.

Established in 1952, Camp Carew is built on sixty acres nine miles south of Carbondale, Illinois in the beautiful woods of Little Grassy Lake inside the Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge.

Contact Camp Director Tristen Meinert, or click HERE for more information

Kemmerer Village, paired with Assumption Community Pride Association, First United Methodist Church, and Memorial Presbyterian Church have bridged the childcare gap in Assumption by establishing a licensed, state-of-the-art daycare center. Our center offers a safe, engaging, and inclusive space for children, providing a strong foundation for their educational and social development. With a focus on child-centered curriculum, dedicated staff, and a commitment to affordability, we aim to empower parents and support working families.

Location:

It is located within the First United Methodist Church in Assumption, at 209 North Walnut Street. The space has been newly renovated and we serve 27 children ages 6 weeks to school age in our fully licensed center.

Our trauma informed residential program provides multi-faceted residential care to male and female youth between the ages of 12 – 19 years old who are experiencing significant behavioral, emotional, and mental health issues.  Our services include master level therapists, a structured and supportive daily program, and recreational activities. The 16 acre campus has three ranch-style cottages where the youth reside, along with an on-campus school, chapel, and dining facilities, stables and an indoor riding arena, and a guest house for visiting family members of the youth. 

Referral sources include the Department of Child and Family Services (DCFS), the Illinois State Board of Education, Department of Juvenile Justice, county Juvenile Court, Department of Healthcare and Family Services

Special Education Jr. and Sr. High classes are taught on Kemmerer’s campus. Class sizes of 4-8 students per teacher & teacher’s aide allow for highly individualized instruction. Our teaching staff are certified for Learning Disabilities, Behavioral Disabilities, and Severe Emotional Disabilities.

Foster Care

Our Community Services Department is contracted with DCFS to provide foster care services for surrounding counties. 

Youth in all program types are assigned a specific caseworker to manage their case, and who will provide ongoing monitoring and support.  Additionally, youth in all program types are offered a full array of services based on their individual needs, including educational advocacy, nursing consultation, individual therapy, psychiatric services, specialized therapy based on needs, mentoring, equine therapy, etc. 

Kemmerer Village recruits, licenses, supports, and monitors foster homes for all three levels of foster care.  Community Services staff host a bimonthly training and support group for caregivers, allowing them the opportunity to learn, share, and grow.   Additionally, Foster Parent Rights and Responsibilities, as outlined in Foster Parent Law, are discussed and reviewed at every meeting.  

Any person or family interested in learning more about foster care can reach out to the Community Services Department 217-226-2128 for more information.   

Adoption Services

Kemmerer Village can facilitate the adoption of DCFS Youth in Care who are, for whatever reason, unable to be reunified with their parent(s).   Kemmerer Village is only a foster-to-adopt program, meaning  adoptions facilitated by Kemmerer Village may only be completed for youth who are placed in our care, we are not able to facilitate private adoptions or adoptions for youth whose case is managed by a different agency. 

Meals on Wheels

Kemmerer Village home services staff prepare meals for the Assumption area “Meals on Wheels” program, Monday – Friday.  The meals are delivered to a location in Assumption, where volunteers for that program distribute them.

Norman Housing

Norman Housing provides case management to young adults and families who have been involved with the DCFS system to obtain and maintain safe and healthy housing. Support for budgeting and home management are also provided in support of the goal to maintain housing. This program provides supports to several counties surrounding Christian County.

Safe At Home

In our role as Safety Managers, we provide in home support to families experiencing stress and turmoil, identified by the Department of Children and Family Services. The goal is to maintain children safely in their homes, without necessitating a removal by DCFS.  A team integrated of KV, Inc staff work together with DCFS Intact Family Caseworkers to ensure the family weathers the situation without family separation. This program provides supports to several counties surrounding Christian County.

The children are encouraged to attend worship services on campus each Sunday. The kids especially love the praise and worship music. We offer several small groups and bible studies throughout the week. Services are provided by Kemmerer Village Pastor. We also welcome guest speakers.

Kemmerer Village is a mission of the Synod of Lincoln Trails Presbyterian Church USA. We combine the traditional spiritual beliefs of the Presbyterian Church with the high professional child welfare standards of today.

Therapeutic Recreation is an effective  accent to the traditional means of therapy for the youth at Kemmerer Village.  Through recreation children here have the opportunity to improve both self confidence and self-esteem through a wide variety of activities. These structured activities aid in improving social skills, peer interactions, fundamental decision making skills and cognitive thinking. Therapeutic Recreation also works to broaden these children’s awareness of appropriate leisure activities in their communities helping to foster positive skills to cope with previous traumas.

• Art Therapy
• Music Therapy
• Team & Individual Sports
• Physical fitness and Healthy Life-Style
• Hobby based activities to develop new interests

Teaching and Reaching Kids Through Recreation

IIAA History

In 1976, three men followed their belief that sportsmanship and teamwork would be beneficial to youth in Foster Care, residential treatment centers, and group homes across Illinois, and the IIAA was born. In 2016, Kemmerer Village took over this program. Today, over 25 agencies participate in the IIAA, and over 1500 children statewide are served yearly by this program.

The IIAA organizes sports and recreational activities for youth who are involved in treatment services throughout the state of Illinois.  The IIAA’s mission has long been to enhance children's lives through the use of therapeutic recreation principles such as developing positive social skills with team sports, self-confidence through achieving physical competency, and the use of healthy activities as a means to cope with stress, anxiety and depression.

We are always looking for volunteers to help with our annual tournaments and events.

If you have any questions about the Illinois Inter-Agency Athletic Association, or if you would like to donate your time, talents or make a tax-deductible contribution so we may continue to provide exceptional experiences for children throughout the state of Illinois, please contact Brandon Smith  at 217-226-2175. 

The Mission of the Kemmerer Village Equine Program is to assist children and youth in attaining the necessary skills to become well adjusted productive members of society. Horses have been an integral part of the Kemmerer Village history. With the help of so many generous donors the Franchois Riding Arena now makes this mission and program a year round benefit to the Children offering one of a kind Assisted Equine Therapy. 

On-campus horse stables, indoor riding arena and pastures provide an excellent opportunity to engage an otherwise resistant client in the therapy process. The program is operated by Amber Miller, Licensed Clinical Social Worker who has multiple certifications in Equine Assisted Therapy.

In the "Horses and Heroes" program, clients who have advanced in their clinical program are selected to continue their growth by serving as volunteers to riders who come from the community. This is a unique and wonderful opportunity for clients to work alongside quality community volunteers to help others learn more about becoming leaders.

Sponsor a Horse:

Kemmerer Village would like to invite you to sponsor one of our therapy horses. By sponsoring one of our horses, you help provide the best care for them. Another option to support our Equine Therapy program is to donate money for, or purchase specific items, that our horses need. Sponsors who support a horse for a full year will receive a plaque with their name on their horse’s stall. Please contact 217-226-2132 for more information.