Connecting through a common interest

MCH encourages staff members to utilize their gifts and talents in serving youth. For school support staff member Michael Lewis, his interest in fitness enabled him to help a student make a positive transformation.

Lewis was approached by Bryce, a student at the charter school, in February 2018. Bryce, now a freshman, wanted to know how Lewis was able to maintain his muscular physique at age 61. Lewis gave him some tips on exercise and nutrition and Bryce took his advice and put it into action. Within only a couple of months, Lewis noticed that Bryce’s appearance was changing. Bryce said he lost around 30 pounds before the end of that school year.

“I started changing my diet and eating things that I knew were good for my body, beneficial,” he said. “Not just empty calories that you get from chips and sodas. It is to the point now that I don’t even like other foods anymore. I got used to eating fruits and vegetables and healthy foods that I know help with building muscle.”

Once the summer hit, Bryce and Lewis began meeting three or four days a week to work out at the gym on campus. Lewis said he is proud of the sacrifice and motivation Bryce has shown in continuing his good habits. Lewis said they spend their time in the gym not just working out, but also talking about life and have built a positive relationship.

“It is more than just working out,” Lewis said. “I’ve seen him become more responsible, grow mentally and sometimes I have to remind myself that he is only 14.”

Lewis said he hopes he is helping Bryce build a solid foundation for the future by living a healthy lifestyle now in order to prevent diseases such as diabetes or heart failure. He also hopes these efforts will inspire other students at MCH. 

“The physical body is something God wants us to take care of,” Lewis said. “How to eat is in His Word. The physical body has to be maintained just like the mental and spiritual.”

Bryce has now dropped around 50 pounds and said he has gained confidence and will continue working out with Lewis.

“I feel stronger since I’ve been in the weight room,” he said. “People have given me more respect because I’ve been willing to do this. It got me out of my comfort zone and I will feel better in the future.”  

MCH youth gain perspective through summer trips

Nikkie attended a mission trip and Glen Lake camp this summer.

Each summer, MCH youth have a chance to rejuvenate and grow closer to God through summer mission trips and Christian camps.

This year, MCH youth had the option to travel with Spiritual Development staff to off-campus trips including Central Texas Conference Youth in Mission (CTCYM) in Lovington, New Mexico; Glen Lake Camp and Retreat Center in Glen Rose, Texas; and United Methodist Action Reach Out Mission by Youth (U.M. ARMY) in Longview, Texas, as part of a partnership with Kingwood United Methodist Church. For the final trip opportunity, students were led by recreation and other staff to the Shepherds of the Ozarks camp in August.

“We consider attending a Glen Lake Camp or a mission trip to be a privilege set aside for students who are seeking to grow in their relationship with Christ,” said Kim Clark, director of spiritual development. “We also take into consideration their level of responsibility and social and leadership skills. We take students who are able to take direction well, work hard, work with a team, are eager to deepen their relationship with Christ, and have a positive attitude.”

Eligible students fill out an application and must also have staff recommendations. They then must be approved by unit managers and administration with factors such as summer school, home visit schedules, and behavior being considered in the approval process.

Nikkie, age 15, attended the CTCYM trip as well as Glen Lake camp for the first time. She said she wanted to go on the mission trip because she likes to help others and felt it would be a good experience to spend some time away from campus. While on the trip, she worked with youth from different areas on three homes completing projects such as building wheelchair ramps, installing porch railings and making home repairs.

“When I came back I felt like a whole different person,” Nikkie said. “Something had changed in me. I felt like God was telling me to work hard to get something done and to believe in myself.”

During camp, Nikkie said she gained a fresh perspective and enjoyed her time with other MCH youth.

“At Glen Lake my favorite thing was getting closer to MCH kids,” she said. “I feel like Spiritual Development and these trips are helping me get closer to God and closer to everyone else. You learn on these trips that God is always here.”

MCH staff from different areas accompanied seven youth to Shepherds of the Ozarks, a Christian conference and retreat center in the Ozark Mountains in Arkansas. During the trip, youth were able to explore an underground cavern, hike up to a cave, and participate in a service project.

Clark said she has seen many positive transformations in the youth when they return from summer trips.

“I have had the pleasure of seeing lives changed, lives given to Christ and baptisms,” she said. “I have witnessed our kids being kids, laughing, having fun, and trying new things. I have seen relationships formed and others mended. I have witnessed students come back and be the catalyst for change in their homes and our community.”

MCH charter school hosts “Fish Camp”

Incoming freshmen for the charter school at Methodist Children’s Home received an introduction to high school during “Fish Day” on July 19. The two-hour event at the school, located on the Waco campus, served as freshman orientation to prepare students before the school year begins and introduce them to MCH and school staff who will be working with them.

During the orientation, freshman students listened to several presentations and toured the high school areas of the school where they will attend classes. Jeff Creel, program administrator for school and transition services, talked to students about expectations for each year of high school. Executive Principal Michelle Arocha introduced changes for the next school year such as new teachers, new district theme, and dress code, schedule and policy adjustments. Students also participated in an activity with MCH recreation staff.

Freshmen were also introduced to Transition Services, a program serving MCH students as they transition to independence. TS coordinators begin working with MCH students during their junior year of high school in creating post high school graduation plans. They assist students in preparations such as college visits, applications for financial aid and scholarships, and life skills training. TS coordinators shared information with the students about their role and gave specific information regarding tests they will encounter such as the Texas Success Initiative Assessment college readiness exam and the SAT/ACT standardized tests used to determine college admission and scholarships.

Presentations emphasized the importance of academic performance during high school with the intention of getting them off to a positive start.

   

“We want to make sure they stay focused and maintain their GPA because that is important when looking at college,” said Dorothy Phillips, director of educational services at MCH.

The MCH charter school is operated in partnership with the University of Texas-University Charter School system. The 2018-19 school year will begin on August 15.