Monday, September 26, 2011

MCH Celebrates National Grandparents Day

The Grandparents as Parents Program (GAPP) is a community outreach program located on the Waco campus. Rehan McNeil, lead program coordinator, and Dave McHam, coordinator, currently serve 49 grandparents. These grandparents combined are raising 135 grandchildren.

GAPP offers support groups, parenting workshops and enrichment activities to help equip these families facing new challenges. They kicked off the fall season by celebrating National Grandparents Day on September 12. The grandparents were honored by attending an informal meal at a local restaurant. Fun and fellowship was enjoyed by all.

Lori Battles, a GAPP client, with her two granddaughters
Rehan McNeil with Juanita Gallegos, a GAPP client

Friday, September 16, 2011

MCH Alumni Association supports new Heritage Park project

The MCH Bulldogs are enjoying a successful start to their 2011 football season, and they invite staff and youth to come out to watch their home games at the new Bulldog Field at Heritage Park.

The football field, located at the back of the Waco campus, is the first phase of a new development called Heritage Park, which will also include upgrades to the area near the pavilions. Although the project is still in the planning stages, discussion about Heritage Park has included ideas to build a new softball field near the Alumni Pavilion, improvements to the basketball/tennis court, a new volleyball court, and a walking/jogging trail.

Heritage Park will recognize the rich history of MCH, and significant funding for this project is being provided through earnings from the MCH Alumni Association Endowment Fund. Alumni provided funding for six sets of bleachers and the scoreboard at Bulldog Field, and funds will soon be used to build two Heritage Park entryways. Another generous donor made a gift to purchase the goalposts at Bulldog Field. Future projects will be completed as funding becomes available through the Alumni Association and individual donors.

In recognition of the legacy of former MCH football teams, the Bulldogs are wearing a Badger decal on the back of their helmets. From the 1920s to 1940s, MCH was known for its successful football program. During this time, the team’s mascot was the Badgers. The football program ended in the late 1940s when MCH youth began attending Waco public schools.

In addition to Heritage Park, the Alumni Association has provided funding for the Boys Ranch Recreation and Activities Center and renovations to Harrell Memorial Chapel in recent years.

“Methodist Children’s Home is a community with a rich history of traditions and a great legacy and heritage of contributing to the positive growth and development of young people,” said Tim Brown, MCH president. “I believe the Alumni Association appreciates the value of this, and they have chosen a unique way to celebrate and affirm their role as mentors.

“Heritage Park is both a symbolic and functional project that will serve not only as a reminder of our history, but will celebrate the continuing accomplishments of the young people who benefit from similar experiences in the future as part of their own growth and development here.”

To view the MCH Bulldogs' 2011-2012 athletics schedule, click here.



Monday, September 12, 2011

Albuquerque Outreach Office Open House

The Albuquerque, New Mexico outreach office held an open house on August 19. Twenty agencies and members attended. The two-hour event included a light snack and a presentation of the MCH outreach services.

Many new relationships were made that will help to provide more complete services to the families in the Albuquerque area.

Special thanks to Melissa Opheim (vice president of community services), Kelly Smith (western regional administrator), and Maggie Rogers (church relations officer) for making the trip to join us!







Thank you to Alicia Carter, Albuquerque outreach director, for providing this blog post and photos.

Friday, September 9, 2011

MCH Bulldogs' Athletic Schedule

Stay up-to-date on MCH’s athletic teams and their progress this season. We have a page dedicated to keeping track of our team’s schedules and scores year-round. The link to the MCH athletics web page can be found at www.methodistchildrenshome.org.

Look for this icon:



To go there now, click here.

Thank you for your continued support of our teams! Go Bulldogs!

Tuesday, September 6, 2011

Ozarks Leadership Conference

Youth from the Home’s three residential campuses attended the Shepherd of the Ozarks Youth Leadership Conference August 8-12, 2011. The conference was hosted by the Southwestern Association of Executives of Homes for Children.

Eighteen youth, who have been identified as potential leaders on their campuses, enjoyed a week in the heart of the Ozark Mountains in Arkansas.

Our youth were involved in outdoor activities such as the ropes course, hiking, rock climbing and horseback riding, along with praise and worship services. Through these activities, they had opportunities to learn and practice leadership skills. They were also challenged to return to their own campuses and demonstrate these skills in their home units and schools.