Sunshine

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COVER STORY Mims, continued from page 5 remembers watching Mims draw pictures of cars while he waited for the school bus. “I enjoyed visiting with Lonnie at the campus bus stop in the mornings,” he said. “He always showed me his latest sketch of a car. His favorite car was a Mustang convertible. It doesn’t surprise me that he wants to pursue a career in automotive design.” Last spring, Mims was invited to speak to students at the MCH charter school. Jackson knew that many of the youth could identify with Mims’ struggles and that they would be encouraged and motivated by his success. “Lonnie has empathy for these young people because he has walked down the road they’re walking,” Jackson said. “He understands their trials and tribulations.” During his address to students, Mims challenged them to take their education seriously. He still remembers the encouragement he received from his mother when he was a child. “She always told me that I needed to do my best in school,” he said. “She said that she knew I was going to grow up to be somebody important but that I had to have an education to fulfill my dreams. When I go to my college classes, I still remember those words.” Mims told the students that he is also motivated by a desire to provide a good life for his family. “When I have kids, I don’t want them to have to go through what I went through,” he said. “And the best way for me to provide for my family is to complete my education and get a good job. I don’t want to live average.” Mims said he realizes that many MCH youth face the same stereotypes he faced as a child. He told the students that they have a choice to make, just as he did. “If you want to prove people wrong, to let them know that you are somebody special, then you need to take advantage of what you’ve been given at Methodist Children’s Home and work hard,” he said. “The Home taught me that God created me and that there’s a purpose for my life. I thank God every day for providing these wonderful opportunities for me.” During Mims’ visit at the school, several of his former staff members, including Black, attended the sessions when he spoke to students. As he concluded his last presentation, he asked Black to come to the front of the room so he could recognize her for the contributions she has made to his life. “Ms. Betty opened my eyes to see what I had in life,” he said. “She wants to help every person, no matter what they face. That’s respect right there. Look at what she has done for me.” Mims knows that there are many staff members, teachers and administrators who influenced his life, and he talks about the Home every chance he gets. “I consider this place my home away from home,” he said. “Not long after I graduated, I wanted to come back. I had some really good times here. However, it wasn’t the program or activities that helped me. The people here made the difference in my life.” HELPING AMERICA’S YOUTH REGIONAL CONFERENCE Striving for the best Lonnie Mims, a 2005 graduate of Methodist Children’s Home, spoke at the Helping America’s Youth regional conference on Nov. 8, 2007, in Dallas. Mims talked about the Home’s influence on his life. Following are excerpts from his address at the conference: First off, I want to say thank you to God and to my mother. Without her, I wouldn’t be here today. And I want to express how my life has been, how hard it has been and how I changed all those bad things into good things. Most of my life, I was separated from my family, in and out of children’s homes, in and out of the care of the state. As a young child, I found out that my father was denying that I was his son. For a young child to go through something like that is very painful. I have a reason to be mad, I have a reason to go out and do bad things, but my life has been so hard I chose not to turn that way. I said, “I’ve been living too hard, I don’t want to live average, so I’m going to do what I need to do to get the best for me and my family.” My mother tried to be there as much as she could. I want to say that I love her still to this day. She’s the number one queen in my life. The way I strive for the best is because I see my family going through hard things. There were weeks when I went without eating and days when I went without a change of clothes or a good education. “It wasn’t the program that helped me out the most, it was the people in the program.” Lonnie Mims was reunited with Betty Black, his former homeparent, during a visit to the Home last spring. When I went into the care of the state for the last time, I moved into the Methodist Children’s Home in Waco. It wasn’t the program that helped me out the most, it was the people in the program. So I want to say to all of the mentors out there now, please keep doing what you’re doing. You don’t know how much you change our lives. There is this one lady at Methodist Children’s Home, her name is Ms. Betty. She had to look up to me, but I still look up to her because she’s the second woman in my life. I would be happy to help her anytime she needs me. Ms. Betty was like a substitute mother to me. She took care of my prom. That is one of the most important things of a teenager’s life. She took care of that with money out of her own pocket to make sure I had the best. Today, I proudly say that I love Ms. Betty, and if she can hear this today, I want to say, “Ms. Betty, you have made an impact on my life. I want to thank you for it.” Now, I am going to college to study to be an engineer and automotive designer, and I’m going to be the best. 6 <strong>Sunshine</strong>
AROUND CAMPUS CORE recognizes Mary Bilheimer with national award Mary Bilheimer, who has served youth at MCH for 35 years, received the Residential Supervisor of the Year Award from the Coalition for Residential Education in April. Throughout her career, Bilheimer has remained committed to meeting the individual needs of the youth in her care, and in doing so she helps the Home achieve its mission to offer hope to children, youth and families. She works tirelessly to help youth identify and develop their strengths and talents, and she enjoys seeing her youth recognized for their hard work and personal growth. Bilheimer’s tenure at MCH inspires those who work alongside her. She began her service at the Home as a secretary in 1972, but during her first year she decided she wanted to work more closely with the children. She accepted a social work position in 1973, beginning a lifelong journey of Mary Bilheimer was named Residential Supervisor of the Year by the Coalition for Residential Education. service to youth. Bilheimer worked as a social worker for 34 years, during which she served more than 500 youth. In May 2007, she became a unit manager, where she now supervises a team of 10 staff members who care for 10 youth and their families. Charlsie Whitney, campus administrator and Bilheimer’s supervisor, says that when staff members need to know what to do in a situation, they know where to turn for help. “Mary has a wealth of knowledge and she willingly shares it with others,” she said. According to Whitney, Bilheimer frequently goes the extra mile in caring for her youth. One of her favorite activities is hosting birthday celebrations for residents. In addition, she volunteers to assist with driver’s education for MCH youth, and she sponsors a student-led Christmas card company and Student Council. Bilheimer has earned widespread respect from staff and youth. She is described as dedicated, caring, compassionate and a “living legend.” A fellow staff member said, “Mary epitomizes all that is good at Methodist Children’s Home.” Bilheimer admits she has dealt with many challenges, but she remains committed to helping youth develop hope for their lives. “Seeing the results in the lives of some of the kids that go through the program keeps me going,” she said. “To see a child’s life changed or saved makes the hard work worth it.” MCH nominated Robert Harrell, a graduating senior, for CORE’s Student of the Year award, and Clinton and Mary Ann Stone, homeparents at the Boys Ranch, for Residential Educators of the Year. Irwin, Ashleigh win top honors at state music contest Irwin and Ashleigh, students at the MCH charter school, earned a 1 st Division rating and a gold medal at the Texas State Solo/ Ensemble Contest May 24 in San Marcos. This was the first time charter school students have competed in the state UIL contest. “Ashleigh and Irwin set the bar high for other contestants to follow,” said Lorye Carter- Reed, music director at the charter school. “They received high praise from the judge, particularly for being well- prepared and for their excellent musicianship.” The students sang their pieces from memory. Ashleigh sang “O, Redeemed,” a spiritual by Uzzee Brown, and Irwin sang “Linden Lea” by Ralph Vaughan Williams. They advanced to the state competition after earning a 1 st Division rating at the regional competition Feb. 23 in Waco. Other high schools in the same region as MCH include Waco, Midway, La Vega, Connally, China Spring, Robinson and Whitney. MCH residents Irwin and Ashleigh earned 1st Division ratings at the Texas State Solo/Ensemble Contest May 24. The students attend the MCH charter school on the Waco campus. They are pictured with Lorye Carter-Reed, music director at the school. Summer 2008 7
Page 1 and 2: Sunshine The magazine of Methodist
Page 3 and 4: METHODIST CHILDREN’S HOME Waco, T
Page 5 and 6: 2007 PROGRAM ACCOMPLISHMENTS Missio
Page 7: COVER STORY Mims had a difficult tr
Page 11 and 12: Methodist Children’s Home 2007 -
Page 13 and 14: Thank you! In April, Methodist Chil
Page 15 and 16: PRESIDENT’S AWARD One Anonymous G
Page 17 and 18: Mrs. Dixie A. Heinle Bill and Mary
Page 19 and 20: Mr. and Mrs. Donald H. Morman Ouida
Page 21 and 22: Mary Frances Farris Dolores and Kir
Page 23 and 24: Mr. Rodney Wheeler Mr. and Mrs. Bil
Page 25 and 26: The Friendly Class Bascom UMC, Arp,
Page 27 and 28: Memorial Gifts The following gifts
Page 29 and 30: Ms. Virginia A. Laxson Marburt Moff
Page 31 and 32: Bill Wolston Margaret A. Hill Harle

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