MCH Golf Classic 2016

Friends of Methodist Children’s Home teed off in support of the ministry during the 2016 Golf Classic on Oct. 21 at Twin Rivers Golf Club in Waco. Twenty-one teams competed in a four-man scramble tournament for the annual fundraiser.

“The MCH Golf Classic is a great opportunity to share the ministry and mission of MCH with members of the community, and this year’s tournament was a great success!” said Kelly Lawson, special gifts coordinator. “We are thankful for all of those that participated – either as players or as one of our generous sponsors. The funds raised through this event will impact those we serve in a big way!”

The team from Central National Bank, Matt Smith, Dan McLaughlin and Robbie Hetland, won first place and received trophies and golf bags. The team from St. Luke’s United Methodist Church in Corsicana took home the second place prize of Titleist Pro-V1 golf balls.

Other prizes included a football signed by Troy Aikman, a gift basket donated by Baylor University’s golf program, golf lessons from Heart of Texas Golf Academy, a gift basket from Cabela’s, basketball tickets donated by Baylor IMG, and several gift cards. D1 Sports Training also gave away a two-week membership to each participant and gave away two three-month memberships and two six-month memberships in the drawing. MCH students in the agriculture program also donated several of their own projects created during class as prizes for the drawing.

Sykora Family Ford sponsored the hole-in-one contest on hole 17. Integ donated banners and signs for the event while Coca-Cola, Rudy’s BBQ and Chick-fil-a provided food and beverages.

A special thanks goes to our sponsors of the tournament. Sponsors included: Gold/VIP sponsors – Insurors of Texas, Magnolia Foundation; Legacy sponsor – John W. Erwin General Contractor; Hope sponsors – Pattillo, Brown, & Hill, Wells Fargo Advisors; and Bronze sponsors Naman, Smith, Howell, & Lee, Midtex Fence & Repair, Central National Bank, First Baptist Church of Woodway, DuBois Furniture, Mark and Sandy Olinger, and DC’s Produce.

Click here to view our photo gallery of the 2016 MCH Golf Classic.

Core Value Award for Responsibility - LaSonia King

Methodist Children’s Home (MCH) annually recognizes staff who exemplify our Core Values. Staff are nominated by their peers and recognized at an all-staff meeting.

The MCH Core Values are:

Christian Principles
Relationships
Responsibility
Growth
Service
Hope

LaSonia King, case manager at the MCH Boys Ranch, received the 2016 Core Award for Responsibility at the all-staff meeting in September. The recipient of the Core Award for Responsibility is someone who is accountable for self and others.

According to King’s nomination, “LaSonia has been a true asset to the MCH Boys Ranch and Edwards West home. She displays dedication and professionalism in her work ethic, and goes above and beyond to support her home parents through challenges. She is a strong advocate for her boys and acknowledges the importance of their individuality and uniqueness. LaSonia has the perfect balance of structure and nurture and sets high expectations for her boys’ personal growth and success. She is well organized, flexible, and dependable. LaSonia is the trainer of new unit managers, the party planner, Ranch Easter bunny and the gift wrapping elf at Christmas, and the list goes on. We are happy that LaSonia received the Core Award for Responsibility.”

“I am very thankful to have received the Core Award for Responsibility,” said King. “It is a great feeling to have our efforts recognized. I am thankful to be a part of an organization that helps youth and families have a successful future.”

Laura Bonner, Boys Ranch administrator and King’s supervisor had this to share, “I am thankful for LaSonia and the work ethic she displays in her role as a unit manager. LaSonia has a fun personality, develops relationships easily and ensures that needs are met. I was very happy to see LaSonia recognized for the Core Award for Responsibility. We are blessed to have LaSonia at the Boys Ranch.”

Heart O’ Texas Fair and Rodeo 2016

Methodist Children’s Home (MCH) was well represented in this year’s Heart O’ Texas Fair and Rodeo livestock show. The FFA chapter from the MCH charter school, operated in partnership with University of Texas – University Charter School on the Waco campus, had students showing four steers, seven swine, two hair sheep, three goats and six market lambs.

The livestock show ran from Oct. 1-16 at the Extraco Show Pavilion at the Extraco Events Center in Waco. The FFA students worked with their animals for eight weeks, spending two-and-a-half hours a week with them during class time. Steve Kruse, Ag teacher at the charter school, was proud of the efforts of his students competing in a large show with minimal experience with their animals. He said out of 22 students, only eight had previously showed the same type of animal.

Here are the results:

Steers:  Nick - 5^th, Kel - 5^th, Galen - 6^th, Laura - 6^th

Swine:  Julio - 2^nd, Brandon - 3^rd, Danny - 5^th, Chris - 6^th; also participating - Kyra, Noah, Yacci

Goats:  participating - Selena, Edwina, Tamika

Lambs:  Iona - 9^th, Marisa - 10^th, Rainn - 7^th, Akia - 11^th; participating - Jaelyne, Iyahnna, Kiayani, Gail

“I want our students to place well and win like everyone else that shows, but I feel like we did win in so many other ways,” Kruse said. “Each and every student had to train the animal, pass all classes, learn how to show, and get out of bed very early to go and exhibit. As far as teaching life skills, we had many champions this week.”

Click here to visit our photo gallery of the event.

Core Value Award for Relationships - Ramonia Ross

Methodist Children’s Home (MCH) annually recognizes staff who exemplify our Core Values. Staff are nominated by their peers and recognized at an all-staff meeting.

The Core Values for MCH are:

Christian Principles
Relationships
Responsibility
Growth
Service
Hope

Ramonia Ross, case manager for the MCH Family Outreach office in Houston, received the 2016 Core Award for Relationships at the all-staff meeting in September. The recipient for the Core Award for Relationships is someone who builds healthy relationships through communication, respect, trust and love.

According to Ross’s nomination, “Ramonia is an amazing individual who exemplifies all our core values in her daily life without even having to try. She has a beautiful spirit and is definitely a servant leader. She offers ‘service and hope’ to not only her clients, but to her co-workers and everyone who plays a role in ensuring that our office runs efficiently. She is genuinely kind, considerate, and compassionate to the maintenance workers in our building, cleaning crew, her clients, as well as each of her co-worker’s clients. Ramonia has a servant’s heart with a gleaming personality and Southern charm that shines a light on everything that she does and everyone who is blessed to come in contact with her. It is truly an honor having an opportunity to work with Ramonia. She always shines a light on those around her, and even if you have lost all hope, she manages to make you feel humbly blessed to know that there is always hope not matter what the situation. Ramonia takes the time to establish healthy relationships with every member of the families she works with through communication, respect, trust and love. Ramonia’s care and compassion for all around her is contagious and spreads a feeling of desire to take the extra step to help others. All of her clients easily develop a sense of trust with her because she allows them to gain a feeling of hope for their futures as well as the futures of the children that we all serve.”

“It was such a surprise and very much an honor to receive the Core Value Award for Relationships,” said Ross. “I love being a part of MCH and what we represent as an agency. I am also very blessed to be a part of the Houston Outreach office. It is my home away from home, and the respect and support we have for each other plays a vital part in how we function as a team. I am truly grateful for my seven years with the agency and hope to experience many more.”

Veronica Whalon-Peters, of MCH Family Outreach in Houston, and Ross’s supervisor, had this to share: “Ramonia has been a pleasure to work with. She genuinely cares for children and families and constantly supports the MCH mission. She exemplifies the MCH Core Values in her daily work and interactions with everyone.”  

Core Value Award for Christian Principles - Brooke Davilla

Methodist Children’s Home (MCH) annually recognizes staff who exemplify our Core Values. Staff are nominated by their peers and recognized at an all-staff meeting.

The Core Values for MCH are:

Christian Principles
Relationships
Responsibility
Growth
Service
Hope

Brooke Davilla, director of MCH Family Outreach in Waco, received the 2016 Core Award for Christian Principles at the all-staff meeting in September. The recipient of the Core Award for Christian Principles is someone who applies the principles of the Christian faith which serve as the foundation for this ministry.

According to Davilla’s nomination, “Even though I do not work with Brooke on a day-to day basis, I have had the honor and privilege of working alongside her in various workgroups and on specific assignments. I have never known her to speak a negative word of another person or situation. She clearly serves from a deep place of calling and purpose and models the love and servanthood of Christ in a beautiful and humble way. It is not unusual to receive a random card in the mail or email in your inbox in which she expresses her gratitude and a word of encouragement. She goes above and beyond to make sure those around her feel supported, appreciated and valuable. She is a bright spot in not only the outreach department, but in all of MCH. She truly lives out servant leadership. She had been a true blessing to me on more than one occasion and I am certain I am not the only one. I always come away from an encounter with Brooke feeling encouraged and listened to. I am so grateful for her! She is an incredible example of the core value of Christian Principles.”

Traci Wagner, program administrator and Davilla’s supervisor had this to share: “Brooke is an asset to MCH in her role of Waco Outreach Director. I am blessed to work alongside her. I was so glad to see her recognized for the work she does that impacts children and families in the Waco community and surrounding areas.”