Wednesday, June 24, 2009

Six Flags Trip

In early June, several of our Waco campus residents enjoyed a day of fun at Six Flags. The recreation department offered the trip for all of our "Off Steps" youth (for an explanation of Off Steps see below).

There is nothing quite like rewarding positive behavior with a fun day of rides and carnival food! Our youth and staff had a wonderful time on all the roller coasters and adventure rides. MCH residents Brittany and Kat even found two new "furry" friends!

Special thanks to Waco campus recreation coordinator, Matthew Maron for this photo.


What is Off Steps?
Off Steps is the final level on MCH's accountability and opportunity program, Steps to Success. The program works within our strengths-based philosophy of care to place youth on the appropriate level or "step" based on their attitude and behavior. Youth who achieve the Off Steps level are some of the best role models to other residents.

Thursday, June 18, 2009

A Splash into Summer


Summer programming began with a splash at MCH!

While some of our young people are attending morning summer school at our Waco campus charter school, our other residents are volunteering their time to a variety of community service projects around Waco. And the afternoons are filled with summer fun like swimming at our Waco campus pool and field trips to local parks.

Four of our youth from the Waco campus are in Mt. Pleasant, Texas serving with Central Texas Conference Youth Missions by building wheelchair ramps, cleaning up parks and painting and repairing houses for those in need. We also have four youth from our Waxahachie campus who are currently in Louisiana serving on a mission trip with the First United Methodist Church of Waxahachie. Way to serve, MCH! Look for mission trip pictures in upcoming posts.

Here are some pictures of youth from the campus and Boys Ranch taking advantage of the hot weather to bask in the sun and spend time at the pool.




Some boys from the Ranch spent time at Cameron Park enjoying fishing and playing catch and disc golf with staff.





Respond with a Comment: If you are an MCH employee, what is one exciting summer adventure your residents are looking forward to enjoying?

Friday, June 12, 2009

Charter School graduates 17

MCH's Charter School graduation on June 4 was a meaningful time for our graduates to share with family and friends. Graduates expressed their appreciation for the love and care they have received here at the Home. Congratulations to both the graduates and the staff members who have worked tirelessly to help them succeed!

Following are some photos from the graduation commencement at First United Methodist Church of Waco.





Friday, June 5, 2009

A Season for Celebration

As the days get longer (and hotter) students are preparing for summer at Methodist Children's Home. Whether they are residents of the Waco campus looking forward to summer camp , Boys Ranch youth hoping for some good fishing, Waxahachie students planning for a mission trip or foster care and community outreach families gearing up for a family vacation, summer is the buzz-word at Methodist Children's Home.

And no one looks forward to summer more than our graduating seniors! Ready to start a new life and strike out on their own, our seniors have been overjoyed to don their caps and gowns for a little "pomp and circumstance." The Boys Ranch held their graduation ceremony at the Waco campus chapel on Thursday, May 29 with seven graduates decked out in "Mustang blue." Family and friends gathered around as the boys celebrated this huge educational milestone.

Here are some photos from their celebration with family and friends.










The Waco campus University of Texas Charter School held their graduation ceremonies yesterday, Thursday, June 4. Come back next week to see photos of their graduation festivities.