Green thumb earns MCH youth a blue ribbon

Heather, one of our foster care youth from the Tyler outreach office, is a student at Whitehouse High School where she is involved in a horticulture class. She participated in the Smith County Livestock Show, entering her basil plant that she grew from a seed beginning in January of 2011.

Heather won a blue ribbon for her entry, and chose to auction her plant for $40.00.

Please help us congratulate Heather on her blue ribbon!


Thank you to our Tyler outreach office for providing the photograph and story!

Prom 2011

Fancy dresses, movie-star radiance, snazzy tuxes… it must be prom season! On Saturday, April 16, MCH hosted its charter school’s prom in the Johnson Student Center. The sun was beginning to set as cars arrived to deliver our youth, who emerged from their rides with beaming smiles.

Their faces gave way to the anticipation of this much-awaited night. Dates met outside the doors of the ballroom beneath the glow of lanterns. Complimenting each other’s red-carpet worthy ensembles, couples entered the room that will be forever engraved in their memories.

Anticipating the arrival of guests, the elegantly decorated ballroom sparkled with metallic table cloths and large candelabra centerpieces, balloons danced on the floor and pillow-covered couches sat amid dim lights. The necessary photography set-up and the long table full of teen snack favorites were ready for their partakers.

After months of planning and days of organizing this event, staff observed prom night as a proud parent would, excited and a little sad that the night had arrived. But as the DJ spun the first record, laughter and chatter filled the room. Everyone was happy and ready to have the time of their lives.

Here are photos from Prom Night 2011. Check out all the glamour!

Boys Ranch Family Day

This past weekend, the Boys Ranch hosted the Ranch Stampede. Sixty family members of our youth at the Boys Ranch attended. There were workshops for parents that morning. Austin, one of our current residents at the Ranch, spoke about life at the Boys Ranch. Matt, a former resident who is attending the University of North Texas, gave his testimony of how the Boys Ranch impacted his life.

Families and youth enjoyed a picnic lunch, recreation activities, including horseback riding, fishing and horseshoes, and demonstrations of the Alpine Tower.

Methodist Children’s Home appreciates Dottie Briggs, Ranch Administrator, and her staff for their leadership in hosting this event.

Matt gave his testimony at the Ranch Stampede.

Austin, a resident on the Boys Ranch, also spoke at the Ranch Stampede.

RECreation Weekend 2011

Live, Christian music rocked the chapel on Friday, April 1. It was the first day of RECreation weekend, an event designed for fellowship and community-building for the Waco campus and Boys Ranch youth. The Home’s religious education (RE) and recreation departments worked in conjunction to create the schedule for the weekend. And it was packed with fun-filled activities, from hearing inspirational speakers to going on a photo scavenger hunt.

Rev. Quinton Gibson, pastor of St. James United Methodist Church in Temple, and Rev. Chris Mesa, pastor of Austin Avenue United Methodist Church in Waco, kicked off the weekend by speaking to MCH residents Friday evening.

The theme of the weekend’s events centered around RE’s theme for the year, which is “Story”. The word “story” represents God’s story. The message RE hopes to share with this theme is that God’s story doesn’t end with the Bible, and they are helping youth understand how their stories fit into God’s story.

Saturday morning, teams of residents were sent on a photo scavenger hunt in Waco, set up by recreation coordinators Matthew Maron and Beth Harris. A lot of fun and unique photos were taken. Our youth enjoyed their Saturday morning hunt, and it shows in their photos! The list of items to find ranged from sweet to wacky. Winning teams’ photos are pictured below.

Winner of finding something magnificent in Waco.

Winner of most unique t-shirt.

Winner of the category "picture of love."

Runner-up for "do what a sign says."

Winner of "do what a sign says."

Winner of "biggest patch of bluebonnets."

Winner of finding the smallest house.

Overall winning team for most points earned.

Community lunches were provided for the youth Saturday and Sunday afternoons. Nancy Teagardner, director of dietician services, and her team did a great job setting up the pavilion on the Waco campus for lunch on Saturday. Youth were able to munch on their meals and enjoy the fresh air while hanging out with friends.

The weekend concluded with guest speakers Josh Ingram, a singer and songwriter, and Rev. Tonya Burton, Director of the Perkins Youth School of Theology at Southern Methodist University. Bus Seven, MCH music director Colin Campbell’s band, provided musical entertainment and worship throughout the weekend.

Kim Hammitt, director for RE, said the weekend was a success.

“Created as an RE-intense event, it’s about fellowship and building relationships among our youth,” she said.