Sunshine

STAFF PROFILE
Since moving from a
teaching position to the
role of unit manager at
the Boys Ranch, Dorothy
Phillips has discovered
new ways to build relationships
with youth.
Pictured with Phillips are,
left to right, Raymond,
Jacob, Michael, Jayden,
Marvin and Andrew.
Following her heart
Dorothy Phillips followed her
heart and decided it was time
to make a change.
After finishing her counseling
degree, she made
the transition from teacher
at the University of Texas-
University Charter School
on the Waco campus to unit
manager at the Boys Ranch
in October 2012. Little did
she know that this decision
would have such a big impact
on her as well as the youth.
In only a short time,
Phillips and the youth in her
home unit have developed a
strong connection. Phillips
said she has been able to
build positive relationships
with the boys by gaining
their trust and respect, letting
them know she is an advocate
for them, and always keeping
their best interest at heart.
“The youth have to know
you have a genuine desire in
your heart to want to build
a relationship with them,”
Phillips said. “You have to
have the perfect balance of
love and compassion, along
with a level of high expectations
and respect for each
individual.”
Phillips and the youth
have group sessions twice a
week. She also meets individually
with youth to discuss
their grades as well as any of
their concerns or needs. She
also makes a point to check in
on a daily basis, whether by
calling them before school,
greeting them when they get
off the buses, or attending
their athletic events. This extra
effort has not gone unnoticed
by the youth.
“When she was a teacher,
I struggled in her class
and she really helped me,”
said Andrew, a Boys Ranch
resident for two years. “Now
that she is our unit manager,
it just seems to work. She is
friendly and kind and she is
able to keep things in order.
Every morning, she calls our
homeparents to check on us
and see how we’re doing. She
always talks to us and asks us
how we are feeling.”
Phillips said the most enjoyable
part of being a unit
manager is seeing the youth
every day and having the opportunity
to connect with
them and be there for them.
“Since I made the transition
from teaching in the
charter school to unit manager,
it has opened my eyes
to so many other ways I can
directly be of service to these
boys,” she said. “I don’t look
at this as being a job because
it is something I truly enjoy
doing. I see it more as a
ministry because we shape
the lives of these young individuals
to help them become
responsible and successful
adults one day.”
Sunshine I Winter 2013
11