On Wednesday, April 8th the United Methodist Children’s Home will be throwing open the doors of their newest group home in
During the past few months the Crestview facility has undergone several exciting renovations. Come see the changes and improvements that have been made to make the facility a warm, suitable home atmosphere for the young adults who will be placed there.
“When we were talking about opening Crestview, I asked the placement agencies in the area what they needed most. They said they needed a home for teenagers, and that’s what we’re opening,” said Debbie Dobbins UMCH Chief Programs Officer & Vice-President.
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.
First United Methodist Church of Dothan was recognized by the UMCH staff at our Southeast Therapeutic Foster Care program in Dothan. A “Heart of a Volunteer” plaque was presented to Dr. James Sanders, Senior Pastor on October 1, 2008.
The nomination was submitted by staff member Shonda Sellers, and below are her comments:
FUMC has been exceptionally generous to our agency over the last year in allowing us to hold meetings and MAPP/GPS (Model Approach to Partnership in Parenting/Group Preparation and Selection) classes at their facility FREE of charge. They have always been available on short notice and always accommodate our needs. FUMC always allows a staff member to stay late to ensure our safety as GPS classes are held late at night. This is a wonderful church!
It’s easy! If you are a member of facebook, you can join the cause of the United Methodist Children’s Home. Just login, and go to this link to download the face book causes app: http://apps.facebook.com/causes.
Then search the causes for the United Methodist Children’s Home, and select the UMCH cause of Alabama and Northwest Florida. (Look for our logo!)
Once you’ve joined, invite all your friends to join as well. This is a great way to reach across the world and connect caring people to our children. Plus, we will keep our cause page updated, send out important announcements, and you can post your comments as well! Send a special message to our kids and let them know you care.
Stop for a moment … and imagine you are a child again.
Imagine what it might feel like to be moved from home to home, not knowing where you might live or who will care for you? Imagine the fear and sadness of feeling unwanted … unloved.
This happens to many children today … and many of them come into our care.
It is truly amazing how God worked through many people – social workers, Children’s Home staff, and compassionate supporters like you – to bring Samuel to a loving, stable home. Through this ministry, God found a way to keep Samuel close to his siblings. He guides us to follow the example of Christ so the children can discover God’s unconditional love for them, and the comforting reassurance that someone cares for them.
At Easter, we remember the darket time in our Savior’s life on Earth. We also celebrate His overcoming the darkness … Rejoice! He lives! The children touched by our ministry can begin to understand the power Jesus has over darkness, and how He can lead His children to a greater, hope-filled future. God is … and will always be their Father. He will never leave them!
In the time he’s been with us, Samuel has really come ‘into his own’. He is much more outgoing, has played football, has taken a leadership role at school, and was selected to travel to
How awesome it would be for Samuel and his siblings to find a family to adopt them. If it is God’s will, we are faithful that He will work through the Children’s Home ministry to make that happen!
Until that time, we ask for your prayers for Samuel and the more than 250 children in our care each day. Your gifts truly keep this ministry strong, and help to bring children out of darkness … and into the light of Jesus.
We are so blessed that even during tough economic times, loving people like you continue to think of our children’s needs … and remain generously faithful to them. Thank you for your gifts! You may never meet Samuel, but in your heart you’ll know that he is showered with God’s grace because of you.
P.S. More children like Samuel are coming to live with us, and our homes rely on your gifts to minister to each of them. Send your Easter gift today … the simple act of giving transforms the life of a child! Imagine what your gifts will do!
Give online now
On March 7th, our wonderful family in Christ in the Crestview, Florida area really poured out their support on our new children’s home! Several girls’ and boys’ rooms were beautifully decorated and many needed supplies and furnishings were given by those who attended.
Special thanks goes to Paula Kerns and all themembers of Crestview First UMC, Rev. Bruce Sheffield, The Messengers Ladies Group, The Action Outreach Group, and individual members Kathy, Linda and Sherrill. This church quickly responded to the needs of our Crestview home as soon as they heard we were going to serve children in this community.
Also, the wonderful members of Woodbine UMC, especially its motorcycle ministry, W.O.R.D. (Woodbine Outreach Riding Disciples), helped to decorate two rooms, and several of their members came to the shower to give their support.
The facility is located in a residential area, but very close to schools, medical care, and other services that will be needed for the children living there. Renovations are almost complete, and soon will be fully staffed to serve adolescent-age children with special emotional needs.
UMCH is very grateful for all of the love and support we’ve received in the Pensacola District as we follow God’s lead in continuing to grow His ministry to ”the least of these among us” in the Florida region. He has always blessed this ministry through His many servants, and we are faithful that His hand will continue to move people to action in Crestview!
Keep visiting our website to follow the progress of our new home for children, and find out how you can get involved. Contact Mae Knox, the Crestview home supervisor, to find out how you can help as well! mae@umch.net