The Butler County Children's Home
In 1869, our property was purchased from the Dyer family by a group of praying women compelled to remove orphans of the Civil War from the poor houses. The orphanage served children in need for over 100 years.
New Oaks Community
In 2008, Tim and Kristan MacDonald purchased the property from the Thomas family, who had owned it since 1985.
Tim's late wife, Doreen, had a vision for the property to be used for children again. With his late wife's vision, his second wife's support, and his innate ability to activate people and projects, Tim founded New Oaks Community as a 501(c)3 and renamed the children's home The Father's House.
The Father's House was paid off and renovated under the leadership of Daryl and Roxann Gunnarson, who dedicated their lives to the organization for 11 years.
Our Name
"They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of His splendor." Isaiah 61:3b (NIV)
The name "New Oaks Community" was inspired by the passage in Isaiah 61 where God describes His purpose for the brokenhearted, the captive, the grieving, and the poor. When a seed falls to the ground and dies, it has the potential to become something new and strong.
We want to be a community where growth and life happen in the lives of those who live here and for those who take part in our programs.