Why Choose Oblong Children's Christian Home?
Choosing a place for a child in need is one of the most important decisions a family or agency can make. At Oblong Children’s Christian Home, we understand that trust must be earned — through compassion, consistency, and Christ-like care.
For over 50 years, we’ve provided family-style homes where children are surrounded by love, structure, and faith. Our experienced houseparents live on campus and guide youth in everyday life, helping them build confidence, responsibility, and hope for the future.
Each child receives individualized support — from on-campus education at New Life Academy High, to Christian mentorship that nurtures both heart and mind. Most importantly, every aspect of our care is rooted in Scripture and prayer, creating an environment where lasting transformation can take place.
At OCCH, children don’t just find a place to stay — they find a family, a purpose, and a foundation built on God’s love.
Our Campus & Homes
Set on a peaceful stretch of countryside near Oblong, Illinois, our campus offers more than buildings — it provides a true home. The Oblong Children’s Christian Home campus was founded through God’s provision and the generosity of His people, and today it continues to serve as a safe haven where children can heal, learn, and grow in faith.
Our grounds include separate family-style homes for boys and girls, each led by devoted houseparents' who provide daily care, guidance, and stability. Every home is designed to feel warm and welcoming, with shared living spaces, cozy bedrooms, and room for laughter, study, and fellowship.
High School education takes place at New Life Academy, our on-campus school that supports both academic and spiritual development. The campus also includes areas for recreation, counseling, worship, and an indoor riding arena that supports our horsemanship and life-skills programs. Grades Elementary and Junior High attend a local Christian School.
Every corner of our campus reflects our mission — to glorify God by offering children a place where faith is lived out, hope is restored, and family is truly experienced.
Excellence for God’s Glory
Oblong Children’s Christian Home, with homes in Oblong, Illinois, is a ministry of the Christian Church and Churches of Christ to abused and troubled children who are 5 to 16 years old, providing them God’s unconditional love, a stable, structured environment, and family-style group home. We have a private school to help with individualized development.
Children come to our home for a variety of reasons. It may be because:
the child is running with the wrong crowd,
the child is not attending school,
the child has a difficult home situation, or
the child has mild to moderate legal problems, or
the child has social media/cyberbullying issues, or
the child may seem out of control or have anger management issues, or
the child may attempt to cope with trauma by cutting themselves.
We serve both boys and girls and offer a safe place for healing as well as treatment for previous emotional trauma. Our program can help with children as young as five-years-old and offers healthy coping mechanisms. We are just a phone call away. (618)-592-3633
Our goal is to reunite the children with their families. For most families the goal is for the child to return home after making significant changes. The length of stay is determined by how long it takes the child and his/her family to achieve the goals set at placement.
Children are not turned away from our home because of their race, faith, creed, or family financial condition.
The Oblong Children’s Christian Home is DCFS Certified and Licensed.
About Us
Oblong Children’s Christian Home (OCCH) provides Christ-centered, family-style homes for children and teens who need stability, love, and direction. In each of our homes, caring houseparents' create a nurturing environment where faith, structure, and compassion come together to help youth heal, grow, and discover their God-given purpose.
For more than 50 years, OCCH has partnered with families, churches, and communities to guide young lives toward hope and restoration. Through daily discipleship, education, and counseling, we help each child build the foundation for a brighter, Christ-centered future.
Mission
To glorify God by providing loving, family-style homes that help at-risk youth grow in faith, character, and purpose.
Vision
Every child will know the love of Christ, experience the security of family, and discover lasting hope for the future.
Get Involved
At Oblong Children’s Christian Home, every gift of time, prayer, or support helps change a child’s life. Our ministry depends on the faithful partnership of individuals, families, and churches who share our calling to provide Christ-centered homes of love and hope.
You can make a difference by:
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Volunteering for campus projects or special events
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Becoming a Prayer Partner for our children and staff
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Giving to support education, counseling, and daily care
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Sharing our mission with your church or community
Together, we can continue offering homes where faith grows, families are strengthened, and young lives are transformed by God’s love.
Oblong Children's Christian Home
Opening Hours
Mon - Fri: 8am - 4pm
Saturday: Closed
Sunday: Closed
Socials
The Oblong
Children's
Christian Home
Raising Up Children Since 1969
This place is more than a home you learn new things all the time. You feel loved, you learn new things you like that you knew you didn’t you do things you like and learn new experiences this place is more than just a home it was definitely a home to me they are loving people they give chance after chance they go to above and beyond for you the children home is definitely a place to send a kid 💯💯 if I could go back I would you just have to be able to adjust to a new place it’s not easy but once you do you start seeing changes and realizing God bless everyone at the home.
Ophelio
