Posted by: Jill @ 4:26 pm
The
The group performed praise and worship songs while performing a wonderful skit for the home. They also provided each young mother with her own gift bag.
To top off this entertaining evening, Christ UMC provided pizzas, drinks and dessert and ate dinner with the residents and staff. We are so blessed by the talents that God has placed on the adults and youth of Christ UMC. Thanks so much to this special church from
Posted by: Jill @ 3:53 pm
On Sunday, May 2, 2010, representatives from area churches gathered at the Birmingham Babies First Home to take a tour of the newly renovated home and fellowship with friends.
New residents were also on hand to meet the representatives and share a bit about themselves. Our youngest resident, a five month-old boy, was held and played with by nearly everyone in attendance!
We extend a special thanks to the Babies First Advisory Board, Christ Church UMC and
If you, or someone you know, was unable to attend this event, please contact Ashley Anderson at the Development & PR office to schedule a tour or request materials to be sent at no charge. We are also able to set up a speaking engagement with your group to share more about this vital ministry of the United Methodist Children’s Home.
We are excited to announce the birth of a baby boy to the Birmingham Babies First Home. Mom and baby are doing wonderfully and will return to the home this week.
This addition brings the growing family to five moms and two little ones. Please continue to keep our young mothers and babies in your prayers.
Posted by: Jill @ 2:23 pm
Blue skies and beautiful weather helped pack the
Churches from all across the North Alabama Conference attended the event to help the residential group home in
In addition to a wonderful lunch, the children’s choir of Florence First UMC entertained the group with singing and hand bells with direction by Mrs. Linda May.
A special thanks is extended to the North Alabama Clergy Spouses for their dedication and hard work to make this luncheon a success. The United Methodist Children’s Home thanks everyone who had a part in this luncheon.
Posted by: Amy @ 5:01 pm
On Wednesday, March 3rd, the United Methodist Children’s Home donated unused furniture to Global Impact, Inc., a locally-run international humanitarian relief organization. Located in Prattville,
In this case, Global Impact partnered with Chaplain Curtis Browder and the Montgomery Rescue Mission Faith Crusades/Haiti. Chaplain Browder has 144 children under his care in
Global Impact stores donations like this one locally in donated semi-trailers until the items can be shipped. To transport such large donations, Global Impact works with the Denton Program, which provides free shipping on
For more information on Global Impact, Inc., call Pat Boles, Secretary, at (334) 358-8580 or visit http://www.goglobalimpact.com/index.html. For more information on the Montgomery Rescue Mission and Faith Crusades/Haiti visit http://www.montgomeryrescuemission.org/ or email Chaplain Browder at chaplaincb@yahoo.com.
Chaplain Curtis Browder and the Montgomery Rescue Mission Faith Crusades crew are pictured below with Pat Boles, Secretary of Global Impact, Inc., and Steve Hubbard, President & CEO of the United Methodist Children’s Home.
Posted by: Amy @ 12:54 pm
Tenecia, a beloved alumnus of the United Methodist Children’s Home, passed away on February 10th, after complications from an illness. A bright student with a beautiful smile, Tenecia will be missed by her family and many, many friends.
Tenecia participated in the Early College High School Program for two years before she graduated from
At UMCH’s Awards Days she received the Becky Castardo Award for Excellence in Math, the Bryan and Sharon Casey Award for Best All-Around Girl, and the Bert Pribbenow Award for Scholarship, Leadership, and Christian Endeavor.
After graduating high school, she was a student at
On a UMCH trip to
“Tenecia said, ‘I’m going for it. I don’t want to miss a thing.’”
LuAnne recalled, “And when we returned to the
Posted by: Amy @ 4:59 pm
Stephen and Carla Dixon were originally licensed as foster parents in July, 2008. Stephen is part-owner of Dixon Kazek Construction. In the beginning of their foster parenting experience Carla worked part time at the construction company, but has since become a stay at home mom. Carla has a BS degree in Human Development and is licensed to teach K-8 in Special Education.
Carla and Stephen were involved in starting the Calvary Chapel of Gulf Breeze. Carla says she has less energy at the end of the day after keeping up with two small children, but she loves being able to devote her time and energy to her foster children. They have only fostered two children and are in the process of adopting them.
When asked how the children have changed their lives, Carla and Stephen said that, “It has definitely changed our lives for the better. What an awesome responsibility and privilege it has been! I think we find ourselves more often than not being like toddlers, because they make it so much more fun being like them. We are so blessed to have them with us. It is so awesome to have little ones around us all the time. They are so innocent and so precious and have made our house a home. We couldn’t imagine life without them. We sometimes think, ‘Oh, what we would have missed out on if we had said no when we got the call from Tammie about placement.’”
The
Posted by: Jill @ 5:33 pm
Foster Parents Have Strong Commitments
Written by Jane Treadwell - Published in the Troy Messenger, September 12, 2009
They’re often called “Saints on Earth,” these people who take therapeutic foster children into their homes and into their hearts.
But “these people” shun that title, saying only that they have big, soft hearts and a lot of love to give.
Being a therapeutic foster parents isn’t easy. In fact, it’s most often a difficult undertaking and one that takes a special kind of person, said Renee Daughtry, therapeutic foster care case worker for the United Methodist Children’s Home. “Being a therapeutic foster parent is not something that anyone can do or everyone wants to do. It takes a special person with special skills to be a therapeutic foster parent.
“These children have suffered abuse, neglect, abandonment – some form of trauma – for more than one time. They come to us with a behavior diagnosis. They have special needs. So, yes, the people who step forward and become therapeutic foster parents are ‘Saints on Earth’”
Daughtry said she can’t answer the question that is asked of so many therapeutic foster parents.
“Why?”
“There are many different reasons people become therapeutic foster parents,” she said. “But, each one loves children and wants to do what they can to stop a child from hurting.”
Patsy Liveoak, program supervisor of the Southeast Region Therapeutic Foster Care with the United Methodist Children’s Home, said there are about 40 children currently in the UMCH program with about 25 of those in the South East Region.
“We need people to who are willing to become therapeutic foster parents, and we need people who will be tutors, mentors and those who will commit to respite care. There are so many needs and those who fill those needs are special people.”
Children come to the program at different ages and with different behavior diagnosis and Daughtry and Liveoak admitted that being a therapeutic foster parent is commitment that is not made easily or lightly.
It’s a strong commitment and one that invites change and stress and some heartbreak into one’s life but one that gives hope for a better life to a child who is hurting.
Patricia Brooks’ life had taken a sharp turn since she began taking therapeutic foster children into her home.
She had been a foster parent and knew the heartbreak that one feels when she has to let a child go.
The goal is that a therapeutic foster child can “step down” to traditional foster care and then be returned to his or her biological parent or parents or to be adopted.
Brooks’ belief that being a therapeutic foster parent was her ministry and that it stopped there. But siblings, a boy and girl, in her care had other ideas.
“When we learned that they would not be going home, it was right before spring break, and I want to wait until then,” Brooks said. “For children to hear news like that can be traumatic and you just don’t know how it will affect them – how they will react.”
When the children were told that they would not be going home, the young boy looked a Brooks and asked her “Will you please keep us?”
“I had to do some really hard thinking,” Brooks said. “I had never thought about adoption. I didn’t want to adopt but I did, and I’m thankful that I did.”
Brooks’ adult son was the reason behind her decision.
“He said, ‘Mama, if you don’t adopt them, you’ll worry me to death worrying about them, where they are and what’s happening to them, so you might as well go ahead,’” Brooks said, laughing.
His encouragement was all she needed and now she has a house full of love.
The children have been with Brooks for seven years, three as foster children and four “as mine.”
“These children are so appreciative,” Brooks said.
“Even the smallest things are big to them. I love to see their eyes light up, and it’s so wonderful to see the positive changes in their attitudes and behaviors. And, I think, ‘What if I had not done this? Where would they be?’ And, I’m so thankful for this opportunity and these children.”
Wendy Rouse is a therapeutic foster mom to a 16-year-old girl for one year and two months and it hasn’t been an easy road to travel but they’re now enjoying the ride.
Rouse worked with youth groups at her church and knew that she had a way with young people, especially the girls. So, becoming a therapeutic foster mom seemed to be the logical next step.
“But she when she came to me, she was hard and she put up a wall that I couldn’t get over or through,” Rouse said.
“Oh, we had a time,” Rouse said. “She was a handful. She’d try to run away and I was trying to sit up all night to make sure she didn’t get away and it was wearing me out. So, one day, I went and bought some cactus and planed one under each window and put a buzzer on the door and went to sleep at night.” Little by little, Rouse could take a single brick out of the wall, talk to her foster daughter and then put the brick back.
“We’d still have disagreements and one big one, she packed her bags and got ready for me to have her picked up,” Rouse said.
“She’d had that happen so many times, but I wasn’t going to give up on her.
“She waited and waited and, when no one came, she unpacked her bag. She asked me why nobody came, and I told her she was there to stay.”
Rouse said she and her foster daughter take trips together and are often like college roommates.
“She has learned that she has value and can make something of her life,” Rouse said.
“She knows others care about her and are there to help her. It has made a difference. The wall is coming down. And, she’s welcome to stay with me through college.”
Rebecca Mauldin has three children of her own, ages 8, 10 and 11, and has a 14-year-old therapeutic foster daughter who has been with the family for eight months.
“My husband grew up with a Kool-Aid mom who always had children around,” Mauldin said and added laughing. “He always wanted foster children, but it has taken him 21 years to talk me into it.”
Mauldin said the decision to become therapeutic foster parents was a family one.
“We talked with children and made sure they understood there would be changes,” she said. “We weren’t going to ask them to give up anything but things would be different.”
For Mauldin the decision was not difficult.
“I believe that God gives us gifts and, if we don’t use them, we are denying God,” she said. “This was an opportunity for us to do something to help someone turn her life around.”
Having a therapeutic foster daughter has helped the Mauldin children more understanding and caring people.
“It has increased their humanity and empathy,” she said.
“It has been good for all of us. And, of all of us, I enjoy having our foster daughter around the most. We have a good relationship, and I can see changes in her that are very positive and I feel good about her future.”
The therapeutic foster parents said those whose hearts are being tugged toward caring for children who don’t think they are worthy of love should listen to their hearts and “Just Do It.”
And, they have the answer to why they are therapeutic foster parents, “Because God is so good and He has blessed us.”
Posted by: Jill @ 4:45 pm
On August 12th, a group of 25 young people and three adult youth workers from Woodbine United Methodist Church volunteered at our Milton group home in sunny Milton, FL. These hard working teenagers trimmed bushes, cleared fence lines and mowed the grass. The church sent the group as part of their mission week.
These youth were certainly on a mission. They also cleaned windows, painted an outside door and cleaned carpets. Thank you so much Woodbine UMC for sacrificing your time and energy to make our group home a more beautiful and homey place for the girls living there!
“They were all so helpful and wonderful,” said Milton group home supervisor Abbi Dubose, “and our yard and home look great!”
Posted by: Jill @ 4:38 pm
Henry and Linda Lynn are two of our many dedicated Local Church Representatives. For the past three years they have done a great job of keeping the Children’s Home on the forefront of the hearts and minds at Frazer Memorial UMC in Montgomery, AL. This year the Lynn’s worked hard to coordinate six events for our residents in Selma. In March they invited our children to attend a Southwestern Dinner Theatre put on by the youth at Frazer, and in July they treated our residents to pizza and bowling.
“I was raised in the Methodist Church so I’ve known about the Children’s Home all of my life…But when my husband’s brother was diagnosed with cancer he asked Henry to ride his motorcycle in the Southern Crusaders for Christ Toy Ride at the Selma home.” said Linda.
When Henry came back from the Toy Run and it was time to sign-up for a year-long ministry commitment at their church, he knew he had commit to the Children’s Home. So both husband and wife signed up to help UMCH. The next thing they knew they were asked to be LCR’s. At first they were reluctant to take the job but it has become something that they love.
“We enjoy what we do. We have fun with the kids. We didn’t have any children of our own and my husband didn’t want anything to do with children but he said that they stole his heart…It’s changed him,” said Linda.
All of the activities they plan are fully funded by Frazer Memorial UMC. “We’re fortunate at Frazer,” explained Linda, “We’ve never been turned down for anything we’ve asked to do with the kids. We really want to commend our church for being what they are, a missions church committed to reaching other people.”
Most recently residents of our Selma group homes were invited to go to Surfside Waterpark in Auburn, AL. They had a blast in the 450,000 gallon wave pool. They relaxed in the lazy river and they overcame their fears as they tried out the body flumes and the speed slides.
“With the economic downturn we’ve not had the resources to provide as many summer activities as we did in the past. Our residents weren’t nearly as active this summer as they usually are. When a church is willing to sponsor these kinds of activities it has a huge impact. Our kids feel like people out there care about them, not just that they have clothes, shoes and a roof over their heads but about their quality of life. They get to experience the things that normal kids often take for granted,” said Kristin Webb UMCH Northern Regional Director.
Linda, her husband Henry, and Frazer Memorial UMC have made it possible for these kids to experience things that they wouldn’t normally have the resources or the opportunity to participate in. Thank you so much for all you do! Our kids are looking forward to the Toy Run, Christmas Cantata, and Christmas Party you’ve scheduled for later this year!
NOTE: Would you like to serve our ministry by being the LCR in your church? Click here to find out what an LCR does, then talk with your minister about this important mission opportunity!
Posted by: Amy @ 10:52 am
Meet Richard Baston. He’s one of our newly appointed board members, and is actually a returning member as he has served our ministry before. He’s a family man and an architect who has been working in Birmingham,
Q: How did you get involved with the United Methodist Children’s Home?
A: When I was a young child my grandfather was on the board. His name was George Turner. He brought me down to
Q: How do you think your life experiences will help you to be a positive asset to our board?
A: Of course I have a pretty good knowledge of the history of the United Methodist Children’s Home and how we’ve evolved from having a total campus to now having numerous functions throughout the two Methodist conferences. I don’t come in with any type of prejudice about what we ought to do or what we should do. Evolution is part of who we are. Times change and the needs of children and families change … so naturally our services have to change. I want to make the right changes, but I’m not afraid of change. This agency has been around for over 100 years and even though we are a conservative organization in some form or fashion we’ve made and embraced change while still following our original commitment to service. I’m also an architect and whenever I need to bring my professional experience to the table I am glad to do it.
Q: What are some of your career highlights that you’d like people to know about?
A: I don’t know. I’ve been doing this 32 years and its all been one big highlight. I’ve personally worked on 350 church projects of all different denominations. I’ve worked on Trinity UMC - my church,
Q: Tell us a little about your family, hobbies and interests…
A: I’ve been married for 28 years to my wife Roxanne. We have 2 children Will, who is 24 years old, and Sadie who’s 21 years old. I love to travel…I love to travel! Within the next few months I’m planning to visit
Posted by: Amy @ 9:52 am
The United Methodist Children’s Home recently welcomed four new members to its Board of Directors. Richard Baston, Rick Dye, Jerry Maygarden, and Rev. Richard Stryker come from different backgrounds and have diverse life experiences. But they are united by their common passion for the children served by UMCH. Our 24-member Board of Directors is a vital part of our ministry.
Board members make the major decisions that they hope will steer our ministry to successful service and financial health for years to come. The two major functions of the board are to approve agency policies and to oversee and endorse our yearly budget. Our board members use their unique expertise to guide the future of our organization. They also make sure that we are staying on course in our mission; “To follow the example of Christ by embracing all God’s children, one child… one family at a time.”
We will be spotlighting each new board member on our blog in a four-part series over the next week or two. Make sure to keep checking our website to get more information about each one of them so you can get to know the faces behind our ministry.
Posted by: Ashley @ 9:50 am
You are invited to a cookout at
There will also be an open house at the home throughout the afternoon, located just across the street from the park. Admission is free to the event but donations of non-perishable food items, toiletries and cleaning supplies are greatly appreciated.
Cooks for Christ, from
It is sure to be a great day of fellowship and fun. For more information on this wonderful event, contact the United Methodist Children’s Home Public Relations & Development office at (205) 951-1978 or Ashley@umch.net.
Posted by: Jill @ 3:59 pm
After a dangerous storm blew through Selma on Monday, the Chapel on campus was left with damage. A large tree broke off at the base, fell across the iron gate along Broad Street toppling over a brick pillar, and landing on the Chapel roof.
The damage was limited to the roof, visibly leaving several holes where the large branches punched through. The stained glass windows were spared, and only minimal damage was done to the interior of the Chapel from falling debris.
Estimates to repair the Chapel and the iron fencing are not yet determined.
The children have not used the Chapel since February, since they have begun attending local churches in the community for spiritual activities.
Crews were out early on Tuesday clearing the large tree and covering the Chapel roof before more rain moves into the area. 24-hour security service may be provided for the campus until the iron fencing is repaired.
Some phone lines were also affected by the storm on campus, so there may be difficulties for callers to reach campus staff until the lines can be repaired.
Posted by: Jill @ 10:38 am
The Frisco City United Methodist Church was chock full of Christmas spirit on Sunday, July 19th. That evening the church invited all the children and young adults living in the Selma and Headland group homes to join in their Christmas celebration. Weeks before the event members of Frisco City UMC placed an angel tree in the foyer of their church. On each of the forty-four angel ornaments was written the name and age of each child in both of the group homes. Church members took the ornaments home and bought age appropriate gifts for each child.
The night of the event the church fellowship hall was beautifully decorated for Christmas with tables and candles. A delicious meal was prepared for the congregation and the children to share. The event attracted about 120 attendees. They particpated in some singing and Headland group home supervisor Allen Sims delivered a message explaining the message and mission of the United Methodist Children’s Home. Afterwards the children received their presents and were given the opportunity to open them.
Christmas in July? Why did Frisco City UMC choose to do it this way, Pastor Lowell Thomas explained that, “Frisco City UMC has been supportive of the United Methodist Children’s Home for 50 years. In the fall a group of our members visited the Selma group home and carried along some school supplies. That year we did our White Christmas campaign in December but one of the ladies came up with the idea to do Christmas in July. She took it to the Outreach and Missions Committee and we’re hoping to make this an annual affair.”
Thank you Frisco City UMC!! Your love and support make it possible for us to help children in need all across Alabama and West Florida. Thank you for having your White Christmas in July.
Posted by: Ashley @ 4:24 pm
Birmingham, AL - Kaitlyn and Taylor Russell collected money for the Birmingham Babies First home, a ministry of the UMCH.
Getting the youth involved in mission work is always challenging, but it is at the same time very rewarding. For Kaitlyn and Taylor Russell it just comes naturally.
These sisters took it upon themselves to raise money for Birmingham Babies First, a ministry of the United Methodist Children’s Home. A $50.00 gift card was donated to the program by the girls.
They not only raised money, but also gave out of their allowances. Kaitlyn, who will be in 3rd grade and Taylor, who will be in 5th grade, are members of Lakeview UMC.
The blessings they have provided the Babies First program reaches far deeper than a monetary amount. This selfless act shows all of us what an impact we have on all of God’s children.
Thank you to Kaitlyn and Taylor! They are truly examples in Christ.
Posted by: Ashley @ 4:12 pm
With the heat upon us and vacations being planned, the United Methodist Children’s Home would like to extend an offer to help your church this summer!
We can provide a speaker to share about the UMCH while you are on vacation!
Just call the PR & Development office at (205) 951-1978 and provide the date and time and we will handle the rest! It is easy and it benefits a wonderful ministry!
Please call today to help us spread the word about all of God’s children who need our help.
Posted by: Jill @ 9:41 am
It was the perfect spring day, sunny, breezy and tournament-ready on Saturday at the Al Trione Sportsplex in Daphne, AL. After District Superintendent Fred Outlaw opened the day with a prayer, tournament organizer Tony Caminiti explained the rules and gave teams specific directions. Then the real competition began. Six United Methodist men’s teams from churches in southern Alabama and western Florida gathered together to battle it out for the coveted first place trophy.
Each team played five back-to-back games spanning from 9am to almost 5pm. By the time the last game rolled around more than a few players had aching muscles and joints. At the end of the day Daphne United Methodist Church took the first place trophy like a group of war-weary but joyful soldiers. Niceville United Methodist Church earned the second place trophy and Montgomery First United Methodist slid into third place.
There was a tremendous outpouring of generosity at the tournament as a local business dropped by to make a donation to the Children’s Home. Even the ASA referees officiating the games donated part of their fees to help our children. All proceeds from the tournament including entry fees, concessions, and t-shirt sales will go to directly benefit the United Methodist Children’s Home. We want to extend a big thank you to Tony, and all of the volunteers and participants in this year’s softball tournament! Your gifts will help our children more than you will ever know.
On Monday, April 20th UMCH’s newest group home facility opened for operation in Crestview, FL. The home is now accepting adolescent youth from the local community. We are proud to announce that it is our first co-ed group home. The facility will give adolescents an opportunity to learn to relate to members of the opposite sex in a healthy and respectful way.
At the same time Crestview’s vigilant staff team is taking every precaution in order to ensure that residents are safe and secure. Video cameras have been placed in all of the common areas, hallways, and in the dining area so that the home can be fully monitored at all times.
Almost as soon as it opened, there were local youth ready to move in. There are now nine residents who call Crestview their home. Please pray that God would use Mae Knox, the home’s supervisor, and her staff as instruments to bring hope, healing and support into the lives of these young people.
Posted by: Jill @ 10:47 am
On Wednesday, April 8th the United Methodist Children’s Home opened their newest group home in
The UMCH staff was on hand to greet more than 50 guests who dropped by to tour the home, and find out ways they can get involved with this local ministry.
“We decided to open the home to the public before the first children begin arriving,” said Debbie Dobbins, UMCH Chief Programs Officer. ”This way everyone could see the facility, ask any questions they may have openly. We felt it may have been uncomfortable for the children to have so many strangers passing through their new home, and it’s important to us that our children feel safe and comforted while living here.”
During the past few months the Crestview facility has undergone several exciting renovations. Thanks to the generosity of many local churches, all of the rooms have been completely furnished and decorated, with a unique decor in each room to help make each child feel special when they arrive.
With the purchase and renovation of this new facility the United Methodist Children’s Home is making every effort to place facilities in areas where the need of the local children is great instead of displacing children just to fill existing facilities. Crestview’s greatest need was a home for teenagers — who are usually the most difficult to find long-term, stable placements for in the foster care system.
The United Methodist Children’s Home is truly serving “the least of these among us,” by going wherever God calls this ministry and embracing His children in the greatest need of love, faith and hope.
If you would like to get involved in supporting the Crestview Group Home, contact the supervisor, Mae Knox: mae@umch.net
Photos from the Open House will be posted on our online photogallery soon, so keep checking back to our home on the Web: www.umch.net