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

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2012 CORE STUDENT OF THE YEAR ABENEZER KASSA Senior, Methodist Children’s Home Methodist Children's Home congratulates Abenezer Kassa, who was selected Student of the Year for 2012 by the Coalition for Residential Education (CORE). He received the award during CORE's national conference March 7 in Oklahoma City. As part of the award, Abenezer received a $500 scholarship. Abenezer was recognized for his personal growth, leadership abilities and community service. As a senior at Rapoport Academy, Abenezer maintained a 4.10 GPA in high school while taking four additional courses at McLennan Community College, where he was named to the Dean’s List. In addition to academics, Abenezer makes community service a priority. He was selected to the Waco Youth Leadership Council, where he spoke at a national conference on important issues among teenagers. He has volunteered with the Waco Humane Society, Caritas, Shepard’s Heart Food Pantry, and Keep Waco Beautiful. Abenezer is also involved in the Key Club, which partners with other organizations in the area to provide community service. MCH staff describe Abenezer as kind, generous, helpful, conscientious and humble. Abenezer encourages others through his perpetual good mood, smile and positive outlook on life. Congratulations Abenezer! “If it wasn’t for Methodist Children’s Home, I would not have been able to develop long-lasting relationships with the people who work here. They are my family and have helped me grow and develop to become the person I am right now. Therefore, I dedicate this honor to them.” — Abenezer, during his acceptance speech at the 2012 CORE conference in Oklahoma City on March 7
President’s Perspective BY TIM BROWN Throughout the 122-year history of this ministry, there have been many unique situations and circumstances that have caused people to develop opinions and perceptions about what Methodist Children’s Home does and does not do, and why children are receiving care from the agency. Some of these perceptions are true. Others exist because MCH has been fl exible enough to take risks and respond to crisis situations and unusual needs that have placed individual children or large numbers of children in harm’s way. Two specifi c instances in our recent history occurred when we cared for the children removed from the Branch Davidian Compound and the children who were removed from the FLDS Yearning for Zion Ranch in El Dorado, Texas. This issue of Sunshine attempts to dispel 12 of the most common myths and misperceptions about the Methodist Children’s Home. I am not naïve enough to believe that this one issue of Sunshine will clarify every myth or misperception. And, I am quite sure there will continue to be some misperceptions. However, I do hope we can dispel the myths that we still operate as an orphanage; that we provide adoption services; that children can be placed at MCH from anywhere in the United States (with or without parental permission); that legal custody of all children in care is taken by MCH; and that the children who come from the “hard and diffi cult places in life” are “troubled” or “bad” kids. These myths serve no good purpose. Our mission is to offer hope to children, youth and families through a nurturing, Christian community, and this happens in many different ways. You can be of tremendous assistance to us by clarifying for others who we are and what we do. If you will read this issue cover-to-cover and share this information with friends, United Methodist congregations and local referral services, we can continue to expand our mission more effectively. We are proud of the success we are having with children, youth and families, as they work hard and make tremendous sacrifi ces to reclaim hope in their lives and seize the opportunities for health, progress and optimistic futures. We hope that you, too, are comforted by our improving outcomes. Thank you for your continued investment of support and prayers. Inside this issue Cover Story: Myths vs. Facts ....................................... 2 Donald: A journey of faith and discovery ........................ 9 News & Notes ....................................................... 10 Katt: A place to call home ........................................ 12 Community Services update ...................................... 13 Development News ................................................ 14 Memorial Gifts and Gifts of Honor ............................... 15 Sunshine The magazine of Methodist Children’s Home • Spring 2012 Mission Statement: Methodist Children’s Home offers hope to children, youth and families through a nurturing, Christian community. EXECUTIVE MANAGEMENT TIM BROWN President / CEO JUDY BROADWAY Vice President for Human Resources MOE DOZIER Vice President for Residential Services JULIE MITCHELL Vice President for Finance TREY OAKLEY Vice President for Development MELISSA OPHEIM Vice President for Community Services COVER STORY: MYTHS VS. FACTS PAGE 3 To learn more about Methodist Children’s Home, visit our website at www.methodistchildrenshome.org or call us at 254-753-0181. Send change of address to: Development Department, Methodist Children’s Home, 1111 Herring Ave., Waco, TX 76708; Phone: 254-750-1213; development@mchforhope.org Bryan Mize, Public Relations Director; Jill Anderson, Public Relations Offi cer; Lindy Dehm, Public Relations Offi cer 1
Page 1: Sunshine The magazine of Methodist
Page 5 and 6: MCH is not FACTS an orphanage, alth
Page 7 and 8: Myth 5: MCH only admits youth who a
Page 9 and 10: Myth 9: Children come to MCH when t
Page 11 and 12: A journey of faith and discovery Do
Page 13 and 14: Religious Education RECreation Week
Page 15 and 16: El Paso: Meeting medical needs COMM
Page 17 and 18: Memorial Gifts Curtis and Mildred A
Page 19 and 20: Nancy Hoyt Glenn and Kay Furman Wan
Page 21 and 22: Anna R. Thompson James and Jeanne B
Page 23 and 24: Bill and Cindy Dietz Steve and Kath
Page 25 and 26: Naishadh Mankad, M.D. Dr. and Mrs.
Page 27 and 28: UMW President — Marianne Havron M

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