Staff Award for Service

Methodist Children’s Home recognizes staff who have demonstrated our core values in their work with our youth and families. The following is an excerpt from the nomination of Sheila Kendricks for the Service core value award. Sheila is a unit manager on the Waco campus.

"Over the course of this last year, we were having difficulty finding the right unit manager for the Tom Mitchell home unit. Sheila took on the arduous task of running two home units for several months, putting in countless hours to ensure the staff and youth were cared for. Throughout this time, she displayed a willing spirit and an eagerness to help. She embraced this challenge and request with a simple yes, never complaining about the long hours and heavy workload. She continued to provide the highest level of care for our youth. Through it all, both homes flourished."

Sheila had the following to say about receiving the Service core service award:

To receive this award made me feel I am fulfilling my goals not only in the workplace but also in my personal life. To receive this award from Chuck Russell, childcare administrator, meant a lot because he truly has a heart for our youth and I really respect him. It is nice for our staff to be validated for our work.

Raise money for MCH by searching on the internet!

Here's an easy way to raise money for Methodist Children’s Home. Just start using Yahoo! powered GoodSearch.com as your search engine and they'll donate about a penny to MCH every time you do a search!

In addition, do all of your shopping through their online shopping mall, GoodShop.com, where you can shop at more than 2,400 top online retailers with a percentage of your purchases going to the Home. You pay the same price as you normally would, but a donation goes to MCH!

You can also enroll in the GoodDining program. Eat at over 10,000 participating restaurants nationwide and you can earn up to 6% of every dollar spent on the meal as a donation for the Home.

Here's the web site — http://www.goodsearch.com. Once you register, be sure to select “Methodist Children’s Home – MCH (Waco, TX)” as your cause. You can also download the GoodSearch toolbar to your computer for easy access to the search engine every time you open your Internet browser. Click the link above to get started raising money for the Home today!

Disc Golf Fun

Recreation staff at each of the Home's campuses plan activities for our students throughout the year. During the holiday break, the recreation staff at the Boys Ranch organized a game of disc golf for their youth. Below are some fun photos of the event.

Staff Award for Growth

Methodist Children’s Home recognizes staff who have demonstrated our core values in their work with our youth and families. The following is an excerpt from the nomination of Suzanne Frerich for the Growth core value award. Suzanne is a unit manager on the Waco campus.

"Suzanne is a self-starter and very organized. She has an excellent working knowledge of our strength-based approach and she has strong relationships with both her staff and the youth and families she serves. One of the core values at MCH is growth. Part of our mission is to provide opportunities for spiritual, physical and emotional development. One such opportunity is the Shepherd of the Ozarks Leadership Conference. Suzanne has organized and facilitated the conference for our youth since December 2008. She attends the conference with our youth as well as being a sponsor during our senior trips. She has assumed this responsibility in addition to her regular duties. Suzanne is always willing to go the extra mile."

Suzanne shared the following about receiving the Growth core value award:

I was very surprised about being recognized. It is rewarding to see our youth grow and mature in a positive way. I enjoy the feeling I get when youth amaze me with their knowledge, talent and kindheartedness.

Staff Award for Hope

Methodist Children’s Home recognizes staff who have demonstrated our core values in their work with our youth and families. The following is an excerpt from the nomination of Jerri Melonson Givens for the Hope core value award. Jerri is a caseworker in the Houston outreach office.

“For the past year, Jerri has been working with one of our youth who is aging out of care and having difficulties in the transition. As many of us can attest, 17 is a hard age and can take a few challenging detours. As Jerri has worked with this youth she has maintained a positive attitude and a belief in the value of each youth having someone determined to see them succeed. She is committed to walking with this youth at one of the most critical times in their lives, transitioning to independence.”

Jerri shared the following about receiving this award and working for MCH:

I am very appreciative of the award and delighted to be recognized. I would like to thank my co-workers. I could not give 100 percent without their assistance. I have a strong desire to make a difference with children and families and everyone works hard to offer hope to them. I will continue to do the best I can. Thank you!

Staff Award for Responsibility

Methodist Children’s Home recognizes staff who have demonstrated our core values in their work with our youth and families. The following is an excerpt from the nomination of Thelma Peters for the Responsibility Core Value Award. Thelma is a lead youth care counselor for a girls’ unit on the Waxahachie campus.

“Thelma is consistently on time with all her required documentation including Revolve, inspections and staff schedules. Thelma exhibits responsibility beyond expectations. When presented with an issue, Thelma approaches the issue from the perspective of a problem solver. Her sense of responsibility is displayed through her dedication to the youth in her home as well as others on the Waxahachie campus. Thelma is committed to providing quality care to our youth and she goes above and beyond on a daily basis at MCH. Thelma is responsible, accountable and trustworthy.”

Thelma shared the following about working on the Waxahachie campus:

I enjoy the time I get to spend with the girls. I get to see their growth and how we make a difference in their lives. I feel that our youth are our future and I like knowing we make an investment in their lives.

Congratulations Thelma!

Staff Award for Christian Principles

Methodist Children’s Home recognizes staff who have demonstrated our core values in their work with the youth and families we serve. We will feature the recent award recipients in upcoming blog posts. The following is an excerpt from the nomination of Nicole Ehler for the Christian Principles award. Nicole serves as director of program services for the Boys Ranch.

“Nicole epitomizes Methodist Children’s Home core values by living and teaching Christian principles, building healthy and trusting relationships with our students, taking responsibility and accountability for self and others, providing opportunities for growth in spirit, mind and body, and helping the students she serves to believe in themselves and the possibility of a bright future. Nicole consistently presents herself in a responsible, polite and gracious manner with a healthy dose of common sense. She speaks respectfully and calmly with both staff and students and always acknowledges the needs of others and seeks their input on decisions. Her professionalism and creativity are boundless as she strives to provide meaningful, educational and fun activities for MCH students, such as the Ranch Stampede, Fall Festival and Community Chapel Service and Lunch. Nicole is a greatly valued staff member, mentor and friend, and the Boys Ranch is honored and blessed to have her as part of our team.”

Nicole shared the following on how she feels about working at MCH:

I love working with the Boys Ranch youth. The boys always exceed my expectations. I am challenged and appreciated, and I cannot help but want to do a good job when I am surrounded by such great people.