1970's
In 1977, Joe and Anne Rackley answered the Lord's calling to establish the Roxie Anna Collins Children's Home Ministry.
The ministry was named for Joe's grandmother, a devout Christian and pastor's wife, who lived all of her 93 years in Oconee County.
By 1979, Joe and Anne started home construction on land Joe previously purchased years earlier in Oconee County.
Using his engineering skills, Joe built the original residence.
His goal was to build a home to care for children, who could no longer live in their own homes.
Early 2000's
Joe and Anne's vision to provide the same loving home environment came to life.
Roxie Anna Collins Children's Home was born in its new location.
In 2000, the Rackley Family Enrichment Center was built and encompasses multiple uses. One purpose is as the center of the ministry’s outreach program offering counseling opportunities to struggling families in the community.
Surrounded by a fully stocked library, this space also provides a place for tutoring and computer work for the children.
The multifunctional design allows a place for meetings and administrative offices. If you were to take a peek inside, at different times, you may see group dinners, meetings or training sessions attended by the children, houseparents, staff or others involved in the ministry
1980's and 1990's
In 1980, Joe and Anne welcomed their first resident – an eight-year-old girl to the home.
For 18 years, Joe and Anne, along with their daughter Kimberly, ministered to children.
In 1996, Kimberly married Mike Kunz. Soon after, they became houseparents for a year.
In 1998, Joe and Anne realized they wanted the ministry to live past their lifetime; it was time to move the Children's home from their personal home to a new site.
Collins Home relocated to a 26-acres of property donated by the Tribble Foundation.
Mid-2000's to Today
In 2002, the Golden Brothers Home was finished as residential home for up to 8 boys.
In 2005, the Respite Home and BK's efficiency apartment concluded the building efforts.
In 2015, Collins Home & Family Ministries changed names to the Collins Children's Home.
In 2020, the Collins Children's Home proudly celebrated 40 years of supporting children and the local community.
