Why our PSA-focused mission is so important…

Selah (formerly Hearthstone) was established at a time when there were no other support options available to families. While the world is now full of alternative education programs and enrichment vendors, there is STILL little support for private homeschoolers.

SHRC is designed for families who depend on connection and collaboration

PSA families must find their own solutions when it comes to enrichment activities, counseling services, graduation ceremonies, group learning, social opportunities, and more. These things are built into Private Satellite Programs (PSPs), public schools, and charters, however they are not open to private homeschooling families. So, this group was created to share relevant information with PSA families and to help address needs that will not be addressed elsewhere.

The wonderful thing about SHRC is that all our member families can take part in this connection and collaboration effort. We can all share our gifts and receive biblically-based encouragement.

Which brings us to another key point… 

Christ is the common thread for Selah families

Even though SHRC families utilize a variety of education philosophies, methods, and styles, those details are not what define our group. God is the rock on which we all stand—the One around Whom we can all link arms. Private homeschooling is our primary area of service, but unity in Christ is why we open membership to all homeschoolers who seek Christ-centered support. 

Regardless of differing educational choices, we view all of our families as members of ONE body with Christ as our Head. We are ONE family of believers. (See 1 Cor. 12:12-13 below)

*Fun Fact: We are one of very few private homeschooling groups in California who admit charter families. That has always been Selah’s (and Hearthstone’s) policy.

SHRC sees the variety possible in home learning and that not every activity will benefit everyone

Private homeschooling offers a more limitless sky when it comes to learning possibilities and options. Therefore, our mentoring mission ENCOURAGES variety in learning and the seeking of God’s will for each individual family. 

We realize that families under the oversight of a private PSP or public charter have that organization’s requirements and different state laws to consider. For this reason, some information or support activities pertaining to our mission may not apply to every family’s situation.

*Fun Fact: “Private” and “Charter” education are categories that determine which rules and regulations a family must follow – they are not approaches or methods in and of themselves.

SHRC would like to highlight the following points

In order to (1) keep our focus centered on the Lord, (2) stay true to our purpose, and (3) ensure that a Christ-centered support option continues to exist:

·        We keep our eyes on the specific concerns of private homeschoolers – this is about fulfilling our mission to help an underserved community, NOT about creating division.

·        We do not promote, advertise, or recruit for other homeschool groups, PSPs, or charter schools within our group. These organizations have their own advisors, services, communication and advertising platforms. We do not want to flood member inboxes with information from other groups that may or may not align with our mission.

·        Questions and discussion about issues regarding other homeschool groups, PSPs, or charters and their funds should be directed to the advisors and chat forums of those groups and charters.

We believe the high level of variety, flexibility, and freedom to educate with God as our foundation is worth preserving!

In the end, our goal has always been a simple one (and we’d like it to remain simple):

That is, to build-up a God-glorifying, gospel-centered support community for private homeschoolers and for families who desire something different from what the education world has to offer.

*   *   *

I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

(Ephesians 4:1-3)

For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and all were made to drink of one Spirit.  

(1 Corinthians 12:12-13)