Posted by: Amy @ 2:48 pm
After several months of detailed discussions and negotiations, the United Methodist Children’s Home (UMCH) has reached an agreement with Concordia College on the 35-acre property located on Broad Street in Selma, Alabama. The two entities closed on the deal August 12th, and will immediately begin transitioning the property for use by the college.
“We are so excited for the city of Selma, and for the future of our ministry,” said Steve Hubbard, UMCH President & CEO. “To have this deal consummated means that we have a greater ability to continue our expansion of services to children and families, and that Concordia College will be able to make excellent use of the property to serve its growing student body.”
This deal between UMCH and Concordia College has been described as a “win-win” by several Selma city leaders, as it will help UMCH and the college to grow and expand their services, while bringing greater economic growth opportunities to the city of Selma as the young adult population increases on the college campus.
Dr. Tilahun Mendedo, President of Concordia College Selma, outlined the college’s short and long term plans for expansion and use of the property: “Concordia will continue advancing its call of higher education in the 21st century of America. As ‘a pride of Selma,’ Concordia will promote the city’s history and economic advancement by opening more residential dormitories to accommodate 200 students, a public book shop, a public coffee shop, Selma’s scholastic cultural preservation center, and day care program for the community. This will open job opportunities and provide advancement for many Selmians.”
The UMCH Board of Directors began researching in 2006 the need to close its Selma campus in order to better serve the needs of children and families today. This resulted in the decision to sell the property and move its headquarters to the Montgomery area.
“The sale of the Selma property will help put the investments made into our ministry toward serving more children and expanding in more areas in the future,” explained Hubbard. “We will continue to operate eight group homes throughout Alabama and northwest Florida, to recruit and train more foster parents so that more children can be placed in their loving homes, and to work with children still living in their own homes with hopes that their families can stay together.”
“We are grateful to the city of Selma, where thousands of children’s lives were transformed over our 99 years serving here,” Hubbard said. “While it’s sad to move on, we celebrate with Concordia College this important transition for the future of all our young people.”
Selma citizens will begin to see a lot of activity at 1712 Broad Street, as Concordia College begins preparing for its incoming students for the fall semester. Renovations to the buildings are already underway in order to house students as soon as possible.
Posted by: Amy @ 9:10 am
School is about to start! Our children come to UMCH from some extremely tough situations, and we ask that you keep them in your prayers as they meet the challenges a new school year brings. We encourage our children to find their individual interests and talents through education, and we make sure they are able to participate in the activities that help them pursue personal growth. Your gifts allow them to grow and blossom into the life that God intends for them.
Keierrik is 16 and has a history of aggression, fighting, and school suspensions. But since living in our Tuscaloosa Group Home, he has learned tools for anger management and that there are consequences for his actions. By the end of the school year, Keierrik improved his grades and made the football team. He will enter the eleventh grade this fall, and everyone is amazed at his progress.
Daeisha dropped out of school in eighth grade and became pregnant at 15. She and her son Tre’Shaun live at our Mobile Babies First program. Daeisha tested so well when obtaining her GED that she was not required to take college entrance exams and was automatically able to enroll in college! Though she is still only 17, Daeisha will be starting her second year at Bishop
Keierrik and Daeisha are living proof of God’s gracious and powerful love through their talents and accomplishments. With your help, we can provide for all our children the opportunities to achieve their goals and realize the better life God has planned for them! Friends like you are essential to their success, and we truly appreciate your prayers and faithful support.
Keierrik
Posted by: Amy @ 8:54 am
A wonderful former therapeutic foster parent Ms. Minnie Richards passed away on February 2, 2010. The United Methodist Children’s Home remembers her for the tireless effort she made on behalf of children in her care. Ms. Richards was licensed by UMCH Therapeutic Foster Care on November 29, 2000. Nominated by the UMCH Southeast Therapeutic Foster Care, Ms. Richards was awarded the Alabama Association of Child Care Agencies (AACCA) Foster Parent of the Year Award on January 8, 2007 in Clanton,
She never turned down a request to take a child, and excelled in providing care for teenagers, an age group for whom it is often difficult to find a foster home. Ms. Richards was instrumental in helping children either return home or move on into independent living. She worked extensively with biological families, welcoming them into her home and teaching them basic parenting and housekeeping skills so the family could be reunited.
Ms. Richards also worked tirelessly, for numerous years, with a sibling group of teenaged sisters. She taught these girls independent living skills, but allowed them each to remain in her home until they were prepared to move out independently. Ms. Richards continued to assist these women after they left her care, and was the guardian for one of the sisters who is developmentally disabled. When she retired from taking on any new therapeutic foster children on November 24, 2008, she still had a child who had been stepped down to traditional foster care in her home.
“God makes people for different things,” Richards said. “And, if you accept His plan for you, things just fall into place. This is my place. I would recommend being a foster parent to anybody who feels that is their calling. Being a foster parent is a blessing.”
Ms. Minnie will be missed by many, and we appreciate everything she did to support and care for the children of UMCH in her many years as a foster parent.
Edited from article by Jaine Treadwell, The Messenger (
Ms. Minnie Richards
Posted by: Amy @ 4:07 pm
Four of our Gulf Coast Group Home residents attended a week long summer camp at the Blue Lake Methodist Camp with the youth group from Woodbine United Methodist Church in June, and they had a wonderful time! When they returned, all of our Gulf Coast girls were accepted into a special “youth works” program for the month of July, and they were paid to learn some excellent job skills. The girls attended the three-week program from 8AM to 3PM, Monday through Friday, where they learned how to fill out job applications, be interviewed, use a checkbook, and other valuable realistic job skills. They earned $100 a week for participating and will be opening up their own bank accounts.
Gulf Coast Group Home Supervisor Abbi DuBose said this job skills program “worked out really well because it taught the girls realistic job and living skills” while earning money and keeping them busy during the summer. As a reward, the Gulf Coast Group Home staff hopes to take the girls to the water park for a fun-filled day before school starts back the end of August.
Posted by: Amy @ 3:51 pm
Board member Roy Day was presented with a plaque commemorating his service as chair of the UMCH Relocation Task Force since its inception in October, 2007. He led this committee to conduct very thorough research and studies to help select and secure the best possible location for our new headquarters building, as well as the difficult process of closing and selling our Selma campus. Roy’s term as a Board member has ended, but he has agreed to continue leading this task force until its goals have been met. When the move to the new headquarters location is finalized, the plaque will be placed in the new conference room which will be called the Roy E. Day Conference Room.
Mr. Day has also served as UMCH Treasurer of the Board, Chair of the Finance & Investment Committee, and as a member of the Executive Committee. He resides in Owens Cross Roads, Alabama, is a member of First UMC of Huntsville, and retired as Engineering Manager of the IBM Corporation. Thank you, Roy, for your commitment and dedication in serving UMCH.
UMCH President/CEO Steve Hubbard & Roy Day
Posted by: Amy @ 11:23 am
Each year the children living in our group homes are awarded for their progress or accomplishments in the past year at a special event. The 22nd Annual Awards Day Ceremony was held at Frazer Memorial UMC in Montgomery,
It began with an invocation by Rev. LuAnne Houser, as her last act as UMCH Chaplain. UMCH Chief Operating Officer Debbie Dobbins presented Rev. Houser with a plaque of appreciation for her seven years of service. Rev. Houser began her new appointment as pastor of St. Luke’s UMC in
Mr. Milton Burke was the guest speaker, and all of the children in attendance competed in a game of Bible trivia. After all of the awards were announced, everyone enjoyed a much-appreciated pizza lunch provided by St. James UMC of
All eight of the UMCH residential group homes had individual award-winning residents, who were presented with certificates as well as U.S. Savings Bonds. The Tuscaloosa Group Home received the UMCH Group Home Award because eight of their boys received a total of ten awards.
Posted by: Amy @ 11:19 am
On June 4th - 8th, the girls from the Scottsboro Group Home traveled to
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: Amy @ 3:33 pm
The United Methodist Children’s Home is asking for your assistance in possible job opportunities for our youth in northeast and northwest Alabama.
Florence Group Home is a residential home serving young men between the ages of 14 and 18. The staff of UMCH will transport the youth to the job, so we are asking for the position(s) to be around the Muscle Shoals,
Scottsboro Group Home is also a residential home serving young women between the ages of 14 and 18. We are looking for positions in the Scottsboro area for our residents as local work would be quite helpful due to transportation issues.
If you or someone you know has work available, please contact the specific group home in your area. Contact names and numbers are below for your convenience.
Florence Group Home, Laura Manning, 256-766-7002
Scottsboro Group Home, Melissa Bynum, 256-259-4776
Posted by: Jill @ 10:33 am
On Sunday, May 23rd the Crestview Group Home hosted an Open House for area churches and community leaders.
Residents and staff offered tours of the facility and everyone enjoyed light refreshments and fellowship.
The Crestview Group Home is the newest of our eight group homes, having opened its doors just one year ago, and houses both male and female residents, a first for UMCH.
We would like to extend our sincere thanks to the Advisory Committee and the ladies at First UMC of Crestview. Because of your efforts, the Open House was a success.
If you would like more information about our Crestview Home or other programs, or wish to have someone come and share this ministry with your congregation or group, please contact Tammy Ward at the Development & PR office located in Crestview.
Posted by: Amy @ 3:55 pm
Rev. Lonna Lynn Higgs has been appointed by Bishop Will Willimon to be the new Chaplain of the United Methodist Children’s Home starting in June, 2010. She is a fifth-generation United Methodist pastor and is currently serving as Pastor of Hoover First United Methodist Church in Hoover,
United Methodist Children’s Home President and CEO Steven R. Hubbard says, “We welcome Rev. Higgs to this extension ministry. As our Chaplain, she will serve as a member of our Leadership Team and be responsible for all areas of spiritual growth as it relates to the children and families we serve as well as our staff.”
Rev. Higgs says, “What a privilege to join the Children’s Home Leadership Team as a new era of ministry begins! I look forward to ministry as Chaplain for a diverse and widespread community of children, youth, and staff.”
Rev. Higgs is a graduate of
Rev. Higgs says, “In addition to my first love - ministry with children, I enjoy shaping worship experiences that blend contemporary and traditional elements, interactive teaching, and helping persons of all ages become aware of the connections between mental, physical, and spiritual health.”
Rev. Higgs’ husband, Rev. Lawton Higgs, Jr., is the pastor at
Please join us in welcoming Rev. Higgs to our United Methodist Children’s Home family.
Posted by: Amy @ 3:42 pm
Marquez, one of our Tuscaloosa Group Home residents, received a Certificate of Accomplishment for Outstanding Achievement in U.S. History-11 as well as Geometry-A in an honor awards assembly held at Paul Bryant High School in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. He is completing his junior year and was the only junior to receive two awards! Way to go Marquez!
Our Gulf Coast Group Home for girls in Milton, Florida, received a Certificate of Appreciation from the Families First Network at the 6th Annual Child Welfare In-Service Training Conference in May. This award recognizes the Gulf Coast Group Home’s commitment to families in Circuit 1, which is made up of four counties in northwest Florida. Congratulations to our Gulf Coast Group Home on their achievement!
Families First Network of Lakeview (FFN) “represents a partnership with Florida’s Department of Children and Families (DCF) to provide an array of foster care and related services in coordination with network partners.” FFN is the lead agency that subcontracts foster care providers like UMCH in northwest Florida. Our Gulf Coast Group Home and UMCH West Florida Foster Care recently received funding through FFN to purchase approved items for these programs including computers, printers, desks, and carpeting for the girls’ bedrooms in Milton. We are so thankful to receive this additional support from FFN!
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: Amy @ 2:53 pm
Positive mental health is essential to a child’s healthy development from birth. On Thursday, May 6th, National Children’s Mental Health Awareness Day will mark its fifth anniversary, as well as a first-time focus on the topic of early childhood. This is a day for everyone to promote the positive development, resilience, recovery, and health needs of youth and their families.
Communities across the country will observe the day with events, youth demonstrations, and social networking campaigns to raise awareness about the importance of mental health and increase understanding of the mental health needs of children and their families. The United Methodist Children’s Home activities for Awareness Day will include our children drawing pictures featuring the theme “My Feelings Are a Work of Art.” Some of this artwork will be shown in the 2011 UMCH calendar.
Awareness Day efforts nationwide will encourage the following: integrating mental health into every environment that impacts child development from birth; nurturing the social and emotional well-being of children from birth; and looking for and discussing milestones of a child’s social and emotional development from birth. This special day demonstrates how children’s mental health initiatives promote positive youth development, recovery and resilience. Awareness Day also shows how children with mental health needs thrive in their communities and raises awareness of effective programs for children’s mental health needs.
Posted by: Amy @ 1:47 pm
The Local Church Representative or LCR program is getting a new name. In order to better identify the volunteer as the connectional liaison with our ministry, this position will now be known as the Children’s Home Advocate.
The Children’s Home Advocate is one of our most important volunteer positions. There are 1,500 churches in the two conferences we serve. A proactive and responsive volunteer at the local level is vital to our efforts to get the word out. Your church can appoint someone to be the Children’s Home Advocate who will coordinate events and help tell our stories.
Children’s Home Advocates help us promote mission and giving opportunities, upcoming events and anything related to the work of taking care of children and families in all of our facilities.
The Children’s Home Advocate…
…announces events or mission opportunities
…arranges for visiting speakers
…distributes informational materials
…tells the stories of the children and families we serve
…coordinates special offerings and local fundraising events
…collaborates with other Children’s Home Advocates at nearby churches
Ted Sullivan was a terrific example of the type of energy and dedication this position needs to be successful. Ted was passionate about his work as Children’s Home Advocate for Holly Pond UMC. He had also served in the same position for over 20 years at First UMC of Deltona, Florida, before moving to Holly Pond with his wife Nancy about three years ago.
Being a methodical engineer, Ted created a plan and schedule for White Christmas events at Holly Pond UMC. He showed the UMCH video, put information in the Sunday bulletins, and visited Sunday school classes and UMW groups. On more than one Sunday morning, he stood before the congregation, made a heartfelt appeal and challenged them to pass the previous year’s giving.
When Ted was admitted to the hospital in the middle of the White Christmas schedule this past winter, he inquired daily of visiting family and Pastor Rich Patsios how the White Christmas giving was going. It was a priority to him, so when they passed the previous year’s total, his daughter Karen Iseman said, “He was relieved to know it was done, because it was at the top of his list.”
Before Ted passed away in early January at the age of 82, Holly Pond UMC had given more to White Christmas this year than they had ever given before. Karen said, “It was a wonderful legacy he left.”
To become a Children’s Home Advocate, call our Public Relations and Development Office or check with your minister or missions director to see if your church has appointed a Children’s Home Advocate. If not, volunteer! We’ll get you all the information you need to get started.
If you are appointing a new Children’s Home Advocate for your church, contact the Public Relations and Development Office to let us know who you have assigned to this position. In most cases, the best person for the job is a lay person who can focus his or her outreach efforts on keeping the mission of this ministry on the minds and in the hearts of the congregation.
Ted Sullivan
Posted by: Amy @ 3:56 pm
Birmingham Babies First, a ministry of the United Methodist Children’s Home, is hosting an Open House on Sunday, May 2, 2010, from 2-4pm. Everyone interested in touring the home is invited to attend with refreshments provided.
Babies First is a home for young mothers who are either pregnant or have a baby, and who wish to raise their child. The home has been open since December, 2007.
Those who attend will be able to take back information to help initiate ongoing support for this ministry. DVDs, brochures and promotional materials will also be available.
The United Methodist Children’s Home Development & PR Office is available to provide resources to churches and groups.
You may also contact the office to schedule a speaker to talk with your church or UMW group. Call Ashley Anderson at 205.951.1978 to order materials or schedule a speaker. Materials are free and will also be shipped free of charge.
Posted by: Amy @ 10:02 am
Carrying on the UMCH tradition started by their friend C. A. “Buzz” Carter during the 1920’s or 1930’s, Clyde and Brenda Cork organized their thirty-sixth Annual Buzz Carter Easter Egg Hunt held on Easter weekend. Every UMCH group home from all over Alabama and West Florida came to participate in the festivities at Camp Sumatanga in Gallant, Alabama, making it the biggest hunt yet. Alabaster First UMC (Alabaster, AL), Christ Harbor UMC (Northport, AL), The Beacon UMC (Kimberly, AL), Henryville UMC (Guntersville, AL), and Gardendale-Mt. Vernon UMC (Gardendale, AL) all contributed funds and prizes for the weekend’s events, and dozens of volunteers from these churches also came to help out with the event. A very special guest in attendance was Clyde Carter, son of the Easter Egg Hunt’s founder Buzz Carter, who came in from Florida for the event and spoke to the group. Buzz Carter was a UMCH-Selma alumnus who, as an adult, organized the Easter Egg Hunt at the UMCH Selma Campus for over sixty years and volunteered at
The festivities kicked off Friday night with a lively performance by the Christ Harbor Praise Band.
Just Cooking, a tireless group of volunteers from Christ Harbor UMC, grilled up burgers and hotdogs for everyone, serving about 175 people in all. The sun came out as more games continued on Saturday afternoon with the youth from the attending churches and our group homes competing in events like the egg toss and three-leg relay. Winning UMCH players received pizza dinner gift certificates for their group homes, and all of our UMCH children took home new backpacks filled with toiletries too. Even the Babies First babies received backpacks filled with baby-appropriate toiletries and a stuffed bear toy. It was a fun-filled weekend, and many attendees felt this year’s event was the best one ever. Thanks to all of those who donated their time, money, and energy! Because of you this event was a huge success, and UMCH really appreciates everyone who made it happen!
We are so proud of our three Florence Group Home boys who participated in a JAG competition for
When asked what JAG is, the boys replied that it is “a program for kids at risk of dropping out of school to encourage them to be excellent.”
Jobs for America’s Graduates, Inc. (JAG) is a national non-profit corporation established in 1980 for the purpose of assisting state affiliates in building a statewide organization to test one or more of the three program applications of the JAG Model: School-to-Career Program (Seniors Only), Multi-Year Program (Grades 9-12), and Out-of-School Program.
The ultimate objective of JAG Model programs is to provide participants (in-school or out-of-school) with classroom and work-based learning experiences that result in a quality job leading to a career after graduation or completion of a GED.