Sunshine

COMMUNITY SERVICES
Serving families across Texas and New Mexico
Methodist Children’s Home serves children and families through 11 outreach offices. The stories featured on this page demonstrate
the unique ways outreach offices are making a difference in the lives of children and families. Watch for additional stories in upcoming
issues of Sunshine. The names of the children have been changed to protect their privacy.
ABILENE
Sisters Marci and Jessi recently left their MCH foster
home to return to their mother, Mary Ann. Foster parents
Joe and Janna Ledbetter developed positive relationships
with the girls, and they were not sure how
they were going to handle no longer being involved in
their daily lives. Since Marci and Jessi returned home,
their mother has helped the girls maintain their relationship
with the Ledbetters. They joined the church
the Ledbetters attend, and Mary Ann calls them to ask
for advice on ways to handle situations. She and the
girls invite the Ledbetters to attend their activities and
they visit on the phone. While the girls lived with the
Ledbetters, their mother devoted her attention to providing
a more positive home environment for her daughters.
The girls are thriving at home, and Mary Ann is
now able to better provide for their daily needs.
DALLAS
Shanna and Dominique were extremely behind in school
when they were placed in MCH foster care. The girls were
initially aggressive toward their foster parents and had
to be moved to separate homes within a few weeks of
placement, which helped both girls. After a few months,
the girls were moved to the Don and Nancy English foster
home so they could be together. The Englishes and MCH
staff members worked with the girls’ schools to provide
the support they needed. The Englishes have enrolled the
girls in a special academic program to help them catch
up, and both girls are now reading at their grade level.
The girls read a book to their mother for the first time
during a phone visit.
WACO
The Waco Grandparents as Parents Program (GAPP), in
collaboration with the Heart of Texas Area Agency on
Aging, provided new school clothing for 50 grandchildren.
Through this partnership, each grandchild received a $100
gift voucher donated by Burlington Coat Factory. The children
used the vouchers to purchase their own school clothing.
GAPP families were very grateful for the vouchers and
pleased to have the opportunity to take their grandchildren
shopping for back-to-school clothes without worrying
about the cost. Additionally, GAPP also received a monetary
donation from Care Improvement Plus to purchase
school supplies for MCH grandparent families.
SAN ANTONIO
Michael was placed in foster care by his mother when
she was recovering from an operation to remove a brain
tumor. She was homeless and had no other options for
her son. While in care Michael attended school, made
excellent grades and was very helpful to his foster parents.
MCH caseworker Loraynne Rivera worked with
Michael's mother and her aunt toward family reunification.
Michael's mother had agreed to release him to her
aunt. Loraynne and Jessica Butters, San Antonio director,
met with the aunt in her home and provided her with resources
within the community to help her meet Michael's
needs. When the family was ready for Michael to come
home, he was welcomed with a homecoming party. He
was very excited to have his own room and a lot of new
toys. MCH helped the aunt enroll Michael in school and
continues to provide support to the family.
Sunshine I Winter 2013
15