Under 12 youth get time for play

Methodist Children’s Home recreation department staff have the challenge of meeting the unique recreation needs of our youth who range in ages. While the staff do a wonderful job of balancing the needs of the younger youth and the older youth in their home units, they are constantly seeking opportunities outside of the home unit for the younger youth to get out their energy and be able to engage in age appropriate activities.

Monthly our 12 and under youth get to hang out exclusively with their own age group. This month they went roller skating at Skate World.

“This was a great event because it allowed them not only to act ridiculous and play as a 12 and under youth should, but also burn off their unending energy,” explained Kimberly Bobbitt, recreation coordinator. “Once we were on the skating rink, we skated for hours nonstop. Another great aspect of these events is that it creates another space for these younger youth to get more one-on-one attention they need from loving adults. I am so grateful to get to be part of these events and love on these youth.”

Coach Matt Rodgers selected for FCA Super Centex Victory Bowl

MCH Bulldogs head coach Matt Rodgers will join the area’s best coaches and players for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes Super Centex Victory Bowl this summer. The Heart of Texas FCA announced the 2015 coaching staffs during a press conference on Saturday, Jan. 10.

Rodgers will join the coaching staff for the Blue Football Team, led by Joey McQueen from Florence. The Blue Team will face off against the Red Team led by Whitney coach Kenneth Gilchrist during the Victory Bowl at the Waco ISD Stadium on Saturday, June 13.  

“This is a great honor for Coach Matt Rodgers,” said Kevin Henry, athletic director for MCH. “I am excited for him to have the opportunity to coach in the Fellowship of Christian Athletes Victory Bowl this summer.  When Ben Johnson, executive director of the Heart of Texas FCA, called and asked if I thought Matt would do a good job, I told him ‘absolutely!’”

Throughout the week, players and coaches will participate in community service projects as well as team building events and practices as part of the event. Former MCH player Ty Kinnard participated in the Victory Bowl last year.

Congratulations Coach Rodgers!

Core Value Award for Hope - Ahmad Washington

Each year Methodist Children’s Home recognizes staff members who exemplify the Core Values of the organization. Staff are nominated by their peers and are recognized at an all-staff meeting during which the Core Awards are given.

The Core Awards for MCH are:

Christian Principles
Relationships
Responsibility
Growth
Service
Hope

Ahmad Washington, spiritual development minister, received the Core Award for Hope. The recipient of the Core Award for Hope is defined as someone who believes in the possibilities of the future.

According to Washington’s nomination, “Ahmad consistently pursues relationships and strives to build community with every person at MCH. Ahmad’s strong commitment to the Lord serves as the foundation for all relationships he builds with youth and staff. Ahmad serves the MCH community with passion, delivering truth and expressing the love of Christ relentlessly. Ahmad invests in our youth and never gives up on them; he grieves over their pain; and he boldly shares the truth found in the Word of God to help them find freedom. His witness is an encouragement, and a reminder that in building relationships, we can fulfill our mission to offer hope by being a loving Christian community. Ahmad is a leader in helping MCH gain perspective and see that we are all empowered to connect, and through those connections, we can share truth and love and begin to offer the hope found in Christ alone.”

Washington has worked for MCH for 10 years. “When I learned I would be receiving the Core Award for Hope, I was both humbled and grateful to God for this honor,” he said.

Kim Clark, director of spiritual development, and Washington’s supervisor had this to share, “Ahmad is an important part of the ministry at MCH. He is truly invested in the lives of the students and staff. Ahmad is able to offer the hope of Christ to those around him through amazing preaching, music production and genuine relationships. The youth migrate towards him because he is honest and real, always pointing then toward who God created them to be. He shows them daily how they can live for Christ through the ups and downs of life.”

New Beginnings in Corpus Christi

Making the decision to ask for help in times of need is never easy, but for Amy Lutz it was a necessary step in the right direction for her family. Recently divorced, Lutz realized that if she was going to provide a better life for herself and her son, Robby (9), she would need the support of a Christ-centered organization. Lutz reached out to the local MCH Family Outreach office in Corpus Christi for more information on their programs and found the support she so desperately needed.

Lutz and her son were connected with Michelle Gunter, who became their case manager. Over the course of four months, Gunter helped guide Lutz through the Family Solutions program. This program helps families enhance their quality of life by providing weekly meetings with a case manager who works with the family to identify problems and develop goals to improve their situation. The Corpus Christi office is among a network of 12 MCH Family Outreach offices carrying on a 125-year tradition of providing help and hope to children and families in Texas and New Mexico.

Lutz faced many challenges at the beginning of the program, but Gunter helped her see these challenges as opportunities for growth. While learning to parent on her own, Lutz also discovered that Robby is autistic and was subsequently diagnosed with ADHD. Lutz acknowledged she needed a deeper level of support that encompassed more than learning new parenting skills. With Gunter’s assistance, Lutz outlined goals in key areas of her life and began taking steps to make those goals a reality for her and Robby.

“Those goals laid a foundation for a new life,” Lutz said.

In addition to connecting Lutz to local resources for parents with autistic children, Gunter helped Lutz set financial goals. Lutz wanted to feel a new sense of independence in her life and be able to empower herself. Gunter also assisted Lutz in the process of returning to school for massage therapy, an industry that Lutz is passionate about.

“Where I am now is completely different than where I was,” Lutz said as she spoke about the benefits of the Family Solutions program. “I couldn’t have made it where I am now without the help I received.”

Working with Gunter on a regular basis helped Lutz focus on the things she needed to accomplish for her family but didn’t have the strength to do alone. Looking back, Lutz admitted the timing could not have been more perfect. MCH Family Outreach in Corpus Christi was there when she needed them most, preparing her to embark on a new beginning.

Bright Futures in Lufkin

Narasha Adams found herself at a crossroads. As a single mother with two young children living in Lufkin, she consistently struggled to connect with her children. Her older daughter, Brooklyn (5) has developmental issues and Octarien (4) was having trouble in school. Adams knew that in order to be the best parent possible to both her children, she would need help.

Adams found that help and has benefitted greatly from the Family Solutions program offered through MCH Family Outreach in Lufkin, which is a part of a 125-year tradition of providing help and hope to children, individuals and families in Texas and New Mexico.

The purpose of MCH Family Outreach offices is to empower families in their communities and support them during trying times. Over the past few months with weekly support from LaKiesha Chatman, her case manager, Adams said she has been able to work toward goals that will help her family reach new levels of stability.

“Going back to school is important to me,” she said. “I want to provide a better future for my family.”

MCH Family Outreach connected Adams with local resources to help develop her reading comprehension and computer skills. In addition to supporting Adams’ goal of going back to school, Chatman also provided the Adams family with resources on how to get more involved in the Lufkin community. Through the Family Solutions program, Chatman has also provided information on both Asperger’s and autism, as these might be conditions Brooklyn deals with.

“Narasha is a great mom,” Chatman said, as Brooklyn and Octarien played in the living room. “She is protective of her children and only wants the best for them.”

Adams said she is grateful for the support she has felt from Chatman.

“LaKiesha will call me just to ask how I am doing, and that means a lot,” Adams explained.

Though these interactions may seem small, they have meant the world to Adams and her family. She said knowing Chatman cares about her family has helped her cope over the months.

Every day families like Adams’ in Texas and New Mexico reach out for support and our MCH Family Outreach offices willingly offer a helping hand. Looking forward, Adams hopes to begin taking cosmetology classes, as well as learn more about Asperger’s and autism so she can continue to advocate on Brooklyn’s behalf. Adams knows that if she hadn’t had the strength to ask for help, her family would not have had the opportunity to grow as it has.

“I would refer them to anyone,” Adams claimed when talking about MCH Family Outreach. “I feel blessed to have their help.”

Year of Celebration

Happy New Year from Methodist Children’s Home! This year marks a special time for our ministry as we celebrate 125 years of offering hope to children, youth and families. Founded in 1890 as the Northwest Texas Conference Orphans Home, our ministry continues to thrive by adapting to the continually changing needs of society in order to give thousands of children a chance at a better life.

Our ministry has been led by 10 presidents who have provided us with strong leadership and guidance throughout the years. The name of the ministry has changed four times, starting as the Northwest Texas Orphans Home in 1890, followed by Methodist Orphanage in 1898, Methodist Home in 1942 and finally, Methodist Children’s Home in 1996. Our services have undergone transitions as we have grown from an orphanage to a multi-service childcare agency.

With 125 years of service, Methodist Children’s Home has been blessed with longevity and continues to explore ways to give our families a brighter future. Throughout 2015 to honor our 125^th anniversary, we will share stories and host events to commemorate the past, celebrate the present and create the future of Methodist Children’s Home. MCH has a special weekend planned Oct. 9-11, 2015 where we will host special guests, recreate events of the past, and share exhibitions and tours of our historic campuses.

Follow us on Facebook and Twitter in order to get the latest information on our year of celebration. Thank you for supporting Methodist Children’s Home!