Growth to continue at MCH

The leadership of Methodist Children’s Home (MCH) is pleased to announce the funds have been secured to complete two additional homes on the Waco campus.

“We are excited that the campaign has been well received by so many of our supporters, staff, Alumni and friends,” said Tim Brown, President/CEO. “The short amount of time it has taken to raise this $5.2 million is evidence that this plan for the 21st century home for our children is resonating with donors and our supporters. I am pleased to visit with the young ladies and staff living in the Daniels Home and hear how much they enjoy the new home.”

The Daniels Home

In addition to building the Daniels Home which was dedicated in June of this year, the capital campaign involves the closure and demolition of the West Home and Scharbauer-Thomas Home in order to build the two new homes that will be named after the main contributors, the Mabee Home and Hilliard Home.

The West Home was a gift from Mrs. J.M. West of Houston, in memory of her husband, Jim West. The Scharbauer-Thomas Home, was a gift from lifelong friends, Mrs. Phil Scharbauer of Midland, and Mrs. Alma Thomas of Austin and was given in memory of their husbands. These homes have blessed countless children, staff and supporters over the years and we are grateful for the generosity of these families.

 “This is truly an exciting time at MCH,” Brown said. “Throughout the history of this organization there have been times when changes have been made for the betterment of the ministry and to ensure MCH was ready to meet the ever-changing needs of children, youth and families. We know God is blessing this ministry.”

FFA students attend festival for veterans

Future Farmers of America (FFA) students of Methodist Children’s Home School (MCHS) spent the afternoon at the Waco VA Medical Center for its annual Farm Festival and Carnival. MCHS was one of four schools to attend the event; other local schools present were China Spring, Robinson and Crawford. This was the first time MCHS was invited to attend the event.

Each year the VA hospital invites schools to visit the campus during the festival and bring along animals. Galen, Marisa, Laura, and Noah along with teacher Steve Kruse represented MCHS FFA and brought along a steer, two goats, two pigs, two sheep, two quail, and three chickens to show to the crowd of veterans and employees. Students had the opportunity to visit with veterans and share information about their animals throughout the afternoon.

The Waco Farm Festival and Carnival was held in the inner circle of the medical center. Along with visiting the students with their animals, veterans were treated to lunch, games, live music and other activities. 

MCH Family Outreach and youth work together to volunteer in Waco

Methodist Children’s Home (MCH) youth volunteered alongside our MCH Family Outreach in Waco and transitional services staff last weekend at the “Just Between Friends” consignment sale at the Extraco Events Center in Waco, Texas.

“Just Between Friends” provides quality goods at a great price to the community. They utilize their platform to promote local charities such as MCH Family Outreach. At the end of the sale any items not sold are identified as donations and given to local charities. In return MCH Family Outreach provides volunteers to assist with post breakdown, sorting and donation gathering.

“This volunteer experience allows our youth and staff to come together as an MCH family to work on a greater project that gives back to our community,” said Brook Davilla, director of MCH Family Outreach in Waco.

The donations are brought back to the MCH Family Outreach building and placed in the family resource closet. The resource closet allows families participating in MCH services to select items such as clothing, toys and bedding.

“The family resource closet was lovingly decorated a few years ago by a local girl scout,” added Davilla. “We hope we can provide a way to meet our families’ needs in a way that is filled with dignity and respect.”

Any items not utilized through current participants in case management or parent education, are also shared with local agency partners such as Care Net, Acts Church, Advocacy Center for Crime Victims and children and local after school programs.

“One day a local church asked us if we had any little girls clothing for two sisters who were in need,” said Cathy Lawless, administrative secretary for MCH Family Outreach in Waco. “We welcomed the church to bring the girls so that they could select their own clothing and have a ‘shopping spree.’ It was a joy to witness the excitement of the girls as they shopped. To be able to meet tangible needs of families in a way that is honoring and fun for them is a daily blessing.”