A Hidden Sanctuary
Located deep in the mountains of Appalachia, Buckhorn Children & Family Services offers Kentucky’s most abused and neglected children and adults a place to heal in safety and peace.
“You are my hiding place; you preserve me from trouble …” PSALM 32:7
The boys and girls we receive are often the victims of unspeakable abuse. They have been abandoned, verbally and physically assaulted, and sometimes even trafficked. For them, the world seems to be a cold, heartless place, full of monsters and darkness and hopelessness.
We do not believe in throwaway children. We do not believe that any child is beyond help. When the world says there is no place for these children, we say, “Send them to us.”
OUR philosophy
More about Our Purpose
At BCFS, that future is wide and waiting. Here, we have a home for them, a health plan for them, and the love, compassion, and acceptance they’ve missed. And here, they will learn that they have a Father in heaven who will protect them and never leave or hurt them.
Vision
Sometimes, these children come to us with nothing, and they’re broken, angry, and ready to give up on life.
But this is not the end of their story. At Buckhorn, their story is just beginning.
These children are in need of a safe place. They’re in need of a healthy environment. They’re in need of treatment and therapy, because without this, they have no future.
Mission
Guided by faith and grounded in the mountains we call home, Buckhorn empowers youth and families in crisis to heal, grow, and reclaim their stories.
We serve with Appalachian heart and faith—restoring lives through compassionate care, recovery support, and unwavering belief in every child’s worth.
We care, and we want to show them that there’s still a lot of good in the world. We’ll introduce them to that goodness and show it to them every single day.
Value
Rooted in Appalachian resilience and guided by spiritual hope, Buckhorn walks alongside youth and families in crisis—offering healing, belonging, and the tools to thrive.
Whether they come to us as a baby needing a loving family or a teen handcuffed in the back of a police car, we’re here to welcome them home.
The road might not be easy, but we’re on it together, one day at a time.
what WE do
Buckhorn Children & Family Services pursues this mission with the following values.
Compassionate
Buckhorn Children & Family Services expects the best of all people. Staff are caring and respectful, using trauma-informed approaches. Staff and Board members promote an open and welcoming campus where listening, understanding, and service are central to care.
Responsive
BCFS is attuned to and proactive in addressing trends in the community. The staff meet people where they are, using best practices to serve them as individuals. Buckhorn communicates with stakeholders at all levels in order to respond in ways that benefit the people at the heart of the mission.
Evidence-Informed
Buckhorn Children & Family Services employs evidence-based and results-oriented practices that demonstrate measurable outcomes for clients. The organization strives to provide a comprehensive continuum of care through Buckhorn’s programs, as well as placements for follow-up care.
Good Stewards
Buckhorn Children & Family Services is committed to securing resources for programming and using those resources wisely. Continuity of services that adapt to changing social needs means having competency, adequate staffing, funding, and stewardship to be successful.
Faith-Based
Buckhorn Children & Family Services has a historical connection with the Presbyterian church and continues to live out its faith-based roots by recognizing the preciousness and value of all people, compelled by love for others. Buckhorn recognizes spirituality as part of holistic health for many people, and the organization operates in a non-sectarian fashion, welcoming all faiths.
