Sunshine

COMMUNITY SERVICES
SAN ANTONIO
Ben, a single father, enrolled in MCH’s parenting classes.
He was raised by his grandmother until the age of nine,
when he moved in with his biological mother. While living
with his grandmother, Ben experienced a loving home
filled with faith. Ben’s mother, however, was the opposite.
Due to Ben’s past experience, he struggles with reciprocating
the love that his daughter gives him. After a few
parenting sessions, Ben expressed his gratitude for MCH
because his relationship with his daughter has improved,
and he is learning to be more affectionate. “Ben is on his
way to becoming a nurturing parent and feels more confident
in his ability to provide a safe and loving home for his
daughter,” said Loraynne Rivera, MCH caseworker.
TYLER
Natalie is a 27-year-old mother of five young children, all
of whom have special needs and require constant attention.
Natalie is a hard-working person and dedicated to
her children. She had been in an abusive relationship since
she was 13, and she was recently separated from her husband.
Natalie has had constant harassment from her exhusband
and his family. “When I met Natalie, she was going
through one of the most difficult times of her life,”
said Suzy King, MCH caseworker. “The apartment complex
where she lived burned down and she lost everything. It
was a few weeks before Christmas and all her gifts were
lost in the fire. We were able to provide Christmas gifts
for the kids and a few household items.” MCH helped
Natalie find support at other organizations in her community.
She now receives counseling and has connected with
other mothers who were in abusive relationships.
LUFKIN
Graham came to MCH foster care through CPS when he
was three months old. He is one of eight children and his
mother has had a long history of CPS involvement. Graham
has been with his MCH family for more than a year. He attends
day care and receives services through other community
partners, like Early Childhood Intervention (ECI).
“Graham is showing excellent progress, but there are still
a few issues we are keeping our eyes on in regards to developmental
delays,” said Marie Gateley, MCH caseworker.
Graham’s foster parents have advocated for him in
his developmental and medical needs. They also worked
with CPS to help make Graham available for family visits,
although they were rare. In May, after a year of no improvements,
both of his parents relinquished their parental
rights. Through it all, Graham has formed an amazing
bond with his foster parents, who are preparing to adopt
him. “Even though we never rejoice when parental rights
are terminated, we do rejoice that we have been able
to offer Graham the absolute best care during his stay in
foster care,” Gateley said. “The foster family stayed true
to their commitment to care for him and make his needs
their priority, even while his future was unknown.”
ABILENE
500 Chestnut, Suite 838
Abilene, TX 79602
325-672-9398
ALBUQUERQUE, NM
6211 San Mateo N.E., Suite 150
Albuquerque, NM 87109
505-255-8740
CORPUS CHRISTI
3833 S. Staples, Suite N 218
Corpus Christi, TX 78411
361-334-2255
DALLAS
13140 Coit Rd., Suite 400
Dallas, TX 75240
972-480-8772
EL PASO
5959 Gateway West, Suite 530
El Paso, TX 79925
915-781-0005
HOUSTON
5005 Mitchelldale, Suite 119
Houston, TX 77092
713-682-8911
877-716-8535 (toll-free)
Methodist Children's Home
Outreach Office Directory
LUBBOCK
2028 82nd St., Unit 101
Lubbock, TX 79423
806-792-0099
877-289-0517 (toll-free)
LUFKIN
310 Harmony Hill, Suite 200
Lufkin, TX 75901
936-632-9537
SAN ANTONIO
6800 Park Ten Blvd., Suite 135 E
San Antonio, TX 78213
210-733-3904
866-532-4453 (toll-free)
TYLER
2737 S. Broadway, Suite 109
Tyler, TX 75701
903-509-1171
866-509-1171 (toll-free)
WACO
1111 Herring Ave.
Waco, TX 76708
254-755-4684
Interested in becoming a foster parent? Learn more at:
http://www.methodistchildrenshome.org/page/foster-parents.aspx
Sunshine I Summer 2012
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