Sunshine

TRANSITION SERVICES
God’s girls
Lori Battles draws strength
from the Lord and Methodist Children’s Home
as she raises her grandchildren.
Each morning when Lori Battles prepares to take her grandchildren
to day care, they stack their hands on top of each other and shout
“1-2-3 God’s girls!” and then pray for their day. These moments
together help Battles and the girls – Sierra, 5, and Mya, 3 – prepare
for a new day and remind them of the importance of keeping God
as the top priority in their lives.
Battles knows that it takes God’s strength in her life to help
meet the daily needs of her grandchildren, who were placed into
her custody last December.
“I want to make sure we keep God in our daily lives,” said
Battles, who enjoys singing at churches, revivals and special events.
“The most important thing I can do as a grandparent is to help
them know the Lord.”
When Battles accepted custody of the girls, she understood the
challenging circumstances she would face. She must now get up
early enough to help the girls get dressed before driving them to
day care. She then works until 6 p.m., when she picks up the girls
from their other grandparents’ home and starts their evening routine,
which often includes a trip to a local park or other activity before
going home.
“It has definitely changed my lifestyle,” Battles said. “They
depend on me for their basic needs, guidance and support. I’m
doing everything I can to provide for them.”
Battles admits that she would not be able to care for her
grandchildren without the assistance of the girls’ other grandparents,
James Dolan Williams Jr. and his wife, Denise, who spend time
with the girls daily. Mrs. Williams took care of the girls for five
months before they started day care so Battles could maintain
full-time employment, and Mr. Williams changed jobs so he could
spend more time at home.
“They are truly a blessing and the girls just love them,” Battles
said. “This situation has created a special lifetime friendship.”
Battles also values the support and resources provided by
Methodist Children’s Home through its Grandparents As Parents
Program (GAPP), which is under the direction of Rehan McNeil.
Through this program, MCH supports grandparents who serve as
the primary caregivers for their grandchildren. The Home provides
support groups and workshops, assistance with legal issues and
governmental agencies, case management, limited financial
assistance and referrals to community-based services.
MCH provided financial support to help Battles place her
grandchildren in a quality day care program and assisted with a
few electrical bills during emergency situations, and the Home
helped Battles find legal assistance during the custody process.
Lori Battles and her granddaughters, Sierra, left, and Mya, enjoy spending
time together at a Waco park. Battles is one of more than 1,500
grandparents in Waco who serve as the primary caregivers for their
grandchildren. Battles values the support she receives through the
Grandparents As Parents Program at Methodist Children’s Home.
“Rehan and Methodist
Children’s Home have been
wonderful,” Battles said. “This is
a great program for grandparents.
If I need help with something,
Rehan will either provide it or
find someone who can. She has
been a special blessing to me.”
McNeil has been impressed
with Battles’ commitment to her
grandchildren.
“When I see Lori, I think of
Lori Battles is grateful for the
support of James Dolan Williams
Jr. and his wife, Denise, grandparents
of Sierra and Mya.
one of my favorite scriptures, ‘I can do all things through Christ
who strengthens me,’” McNeil said. “Her life is a testimony of all
the grandparents who are making it work, regardless of the odds.”
Battles believes more grandparents need to learn about the
services and support provided through GAPP. According to the
latest census figures, 6.7 million children in the United States are
being raised by grandparents and other relatives. In Texas, more
than 257,000 grandparents are raising their grandchildren in their
homes, and this total includes more than 1,500 in Waco.
“Without the Home providing services through GAPP, many
grandparents would not be able to provide the basic necessities for
their families,” McNeil said. “It is our charge to equip grandparents
and families with tools and resources that will strengthen the familial
ties, increase feelings of self-worth, foster self-preservation and
encourage self-sufficiency.”
While MCH can help meet a variety of needs, Battles believes
one of the greatest benefits for grandparents is having a person like
McNeil working alongside them.
“Rehan is a sweet and wonderful person and I know she truly
cares about our family,” Battles said. “Methodist Children’s Home
is always right there for me. They look out for grandparents and
their grandchildren.”
10 Sunshine