Sunshine

ANNUAL REPORT
MCH: AT A GLANCE
Relationships
BUILD HEALTHY RELATIONSHIPS THROUGH
COMMUNICATION, RESPECT, TRUST, AND LOVE.
Teaching by example
Married for 60 years, homeparents
George and Genevie Ratliff are still in
love, and everyone wants to know their
secret.
Admissions
“I don’t think it’s much of a secret,”
Most families obtain services through MCH Genevie said. “It’s just communication
by referral from ministers, counselors, social
and taking care of one another – caring
workers, psychologists or friends familiar
with the family’s situation.
about your spouse’s feelings and being
their best friend.”
MCH serves children and youth regardless of
race, religion or financial status.
Blessed with three daughters, Vicki,
Teresa and Rhonda, two sons-in-law,
Admissions Process
Mark and Steve, as well as five grandchildren
and five great-grandchildren, their
When an inquiry is made
and a brief description of
the family’s situation is
devotion to their marriage, family and
provided, an application
work at MCH provides youth a daily example
of the importance of healthy
and additional information
about the Home are
mailed to the family.
relationships.
Once MCH receives the application, the
“Relationships are something you
materials are reviewed to determine which
have to commit to,” Genevie said.
program might best serve the child.
George and Genevie Ratliff have served
Her words ring true of both their
youth as homeparents at MCH for 28 years.
If MCH is unable to assist a family with placement,
efforts are made to refer the family to
their ministry to at-risk youth.
marriage and work with youth.
They recently received a national award for
“There are times when the kids can
other sources of potential help.
be a challenge,” she said, “but you just have to find something good in each child and
Youth We Can Effectively Serve
hold onto that because it will see them through.”
• those who come from dependent, neglected
The Ratliffs have served 28 years as homeparents at MCH, where they have
or abusive backgrounds
• those with mild emotional problems
helped raise hundreds of young people. Building strong and lasting relationships
• those who have experimented with delin- based on trust has always been their mission. Their service to youth was recognized
quent behaviors
in March when they received the prestigious Residential Educators of the Year Award
• those with moderate school problems or
from the Coalition for Residential Education (CORE), a national organization that
problems with authority
promotes residential programs for at-risk youth.
For More Information
Whether talking to youth on the front porch after a long day or driving a boy to a
To speak with a member of the admissions
department, please call 1-800-964-9226 or job across town, the Ratliffs consistently show love toward their youth.
254-753-0181.
“We view this as our ministry,” Genevie said. “In fact, when we tried to retire in
the mid-1990s, we ended up right back here.”
The Ratliffs had invested too much to walk away from their work.
“I am thankful for what
“We enjoy being with these boys,” Genevie said, “and with the Lord’s help, we often
God is doing in my life. I
get to see real change in their lives.”
know I went to the Home
Tim Hammond, a social worker and unit manager in the home where the Ratliffs
for a reason – because God serve, has seen the benefits of their ministry.
intended for me to be there.
”
“They are a very determined duo,” Hammond said. “They just keep working
EDDEN
through whatever comes their way because they have a heart for these kids.”
MCH College Program
Sunshine I Summer 2009 5