Sunshine Spring 2012 Final.indd - Methodist Children's Home

YOUTH PROFILE
While living at MCH,
Katt has gained a sense
of belonging and confi -
dence through positive
relationships and opportunities
to develop her
gifts and talents.
A place to call home
As a pre-teen, Katt traveled
from hotel to hotel with her
father and had no permanent
home since his job required
extensive travel. She had lost
her mother and was struggling
with the pain she felt. She began
acting out and making poor
choices to deal with her grief.
“About a year after my
mom passed away, it started to
affect me,” Katt said. “I began
to understand the reality that
I would never have a relationship
with my mom again.”
Going into her teen years,
Katt’s father was concerned
that she did not have a female
role model or a stable environment
in which to thrive. He
began looking at the possibility
of sending her to a home
12
for youth to fi nish high school.
Katt and her father learned
about Methodist Children’s
Home and decided to apply for
her admission.
“I wanted to come to MCH
because I wanted to have
friends and a real home environment,”
Katt said.
During the admissions process,
MCH determined that
the Waco campus was the best
program for Katt. At fi rst, she
was not sure about her new
residence, but she eventually
began to blossom.
“Katt was grateful to
have a consistent home,” said
Stephanie Scott, Katt’s unit
manager and caseworker. “She
was able to start a routine for
herself, and she appreciated
that because she’s naturally an
organized person.”
Katt occupied her time with
volunteer and extracurricular
activities to deal with her
pain. She joined mission trips,
began cheerleading, joined
the student leadership council,
and helped with concessions
for sports activities. In addition,
Katt volunteered to work
with children in the community.
Through her community
service efforts, Katt discovered
her passion for working with
special needs children.
“I love to work with kids,”
Katt said. “I want to be a special
education kindergarten
teacher. Special needs children
require attention and
they need to feel wanted and
loved by someone.”
According to Scott, Katt has
the personality and patience
that will enable her to work
effectively with children.
“Katt’s heart is really into
working with children and she
has an extremely social and
bubbly personality,” she said.
“I love that about her.”
Katt graduated from the
University of Texas Charter
School on the Waco campus in
June. She said she is excited
and nervous about the transition,
but she is thankful for her
experience at MCH.
“It defi nitely helped me to
come to the Home,” Katt said.
“MCH gives a lot of hope to
children, and I am happy to be
one of them.”
Sunshine I Spring 2012