spotlight, fall 2003 - Methodist Home for Children

Spotlight
S P R I N G
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O N T H E FA M I LY
METHODIST HOME FOR CHILDREN
a place
to call
home
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SEE PAGE TWO
Spotlight on the Family™
Published semiannually by the
Methodist Home for Children
In service to God, our mission is
to build upon the social, physical,
emotional, and spiritual strengths
of children, youth, and families,
and to affirm their worth.
Board of Directors Executive Committee
Sam Sugg, Chairman of the Board
David Witt, Interim President and CEO
Bruce Brawley, Vice Chairman, Planning
Barbara Allen, Treasurer
Becky Johnson, Secretary
Jim Hemby, Member at Large
Board of Directors
Barbara Allen
Alton Anderson
Jean Bender
Bruce Brawley
Rick Clayton
Carolyn Cobb
Linda Coleman
Bert Collins
Leslie B. Coman
Dianne Davidian
Chris Evans
Wayne Goodwin
Billy Griffin
Al Gwinn
Julie Hans
Jim Hemby
Fred Hight
Ned Hill
Laura Horne
Steve Hutchins
Emily Innes
Tom Irons
Becky Johnson
Sarah Jordan
Eckie Lancaster
Connie Maynard
Beth Norris
Betty Owen
Faith Thompson
Ed Turlington
Bill Stewart
Sam Sugg
Dear friends,
This is my first and only President’s message in
Spotlight. I have had the honor and privilege of serving as
Interim President and CEO of Methodist Home for
Children since November 2005. We have recently named
a new President and CEO of the agency, the Rev. Bruce
Stanley, whose tenure is effective on July 1, 2006.
This position has given me more joy than any other
in my career.
I have had the pleasure of overseeing MHC, whose awesome work for the children,
youth, and families of North Carolina inspires me. Take a look at the employees of the
year in this issue and see the dedication they bring to their work, often on behalf of
“the least of these.” Glance at the “Community Partners” that have teamed up with
us to insure that all of those in our care receive everything they need—from clothes
and beds to Christmas presents and cultural experiences that will last a lifetime.
Reflect for a moment on the difficult work undertaken by United Methodist Women’s
groups in over 420 churches to organize, distribute materials and publicize our annual
“MHC Sunday” offering.
While I have been on the Board of Directors since 2001, I have seen MHC through
new eyes in my capacity as President and CEO. I have seen first hand the incredible
work of this human services agency. I invite you vicariously to do the same as you read
in this issue the story of the Boneys and the Davises, two very special foster families
who help care for our children.
It has been gratifying to oversee an agency whose financial health is, once again,
on solid ground. With three months left in our current fiscal year, we are on budget and
on plan—while serving, with high quality, over 1,500 children, youth and families. I
am confident that in May of this year, we will be recertified by the Council on
Accreditation as meeting the highest national standards of professional performance.
There is much to celebrate about this exceptional organization, whose support is
so broad-based, and the breadth of whose work extends from providing home-based
treatment to childcare services. And, it is with great confidence that I pass the leadership of Methodist Home for Children to the very able Bruce Stanley, a wise and
compassionate man who will bring a new energy and vision to our mission.
At the same time, it is with some sorrow that I leave the life-affirming, albeit often
demanding, work of President and CEO. Like so many of you, I will forever remain a
loyal and ardent supporter of the good work of MHC. And you can expect to see me
back on the Board of Directors continuing to champion the agency, newly wise—and
perhaps a bit more humbled.
I thank you for your support of me and the agency in this leadership transition. Be
assured that your financial contributions during this time have, as always, been used
wisely, efficiently, and to good effect. Be assured that the good work that you do through
Methodist Home for Children does indeed make a difference in the lives of so many.
editor: Maria Murray Riemann
contributing writers: Peter MacBeth,
Maria Murray Riemann, Polly Willis
Thank you and God bless you.
contributing photographers:
Brenda Robbins, Maria Murray Riemann,
Lynn Ruck, Polly Willis
designer: Mary Humphrey
David Witt
To add or change your address on our
mailing list, call 1.888.305.4321.
For more information on our services,
please visit www.mhfc.org
ON THE COVER: James and Denise Davis (with son Jordan) have opened their Durham
home to many teens in need of a foster family. Read more about their story on page 2.
1
Welcome, Bruce Stanley,
new President and CEO
Effective July 1, 2006, Methodist
Home for Children will have a new
President and CEO.
A pastor through and through, the
Rev. Bruce Stanley knew for many years
that he was called to the ministry; he just
didn’t think it would always involve caring
for a congregation. Indeed, his resume
suggests someone who has ministered
in many capacities—from working at a
massive homeless shelter during his
studies for a master’s degree in divinity at
Harvard to serving as Director of Christian
Education at Grace United Methodist
Church in Wilmington, NC. He has also
directed field education at Duke
University’s Divinity School, and most
recently, he has held the post of Senior
Pastor at Raleigh’s Millbrook United
Methodist Church. Stanley’s impressive
and wide-ranging resume stretches from
West Virginia to Massachusetts to eastern
North Carolina. And in his new leadership position with MHC, he will head a
faith-based organization that has its roots
in the Methodist Church, but whose
mission is to help all children, youth, and
families regardless of whether, he says
with a smile, “they have ever darkened a
door of a church—or ever been part of
a congregation.”
Stanley is no stranger to MHC. He
notes that “for nearly twenty-five years, I
have been privileged to witness and in
some cases directly participate in the
wonderful work of Methodist Home for
Children.” He recalls several young people
in the congregations he has served over
the years who have benefited from the
safe and loving care of the agency,
particularly a young 14-year-old whose
situation was desperate. When, as senior
pastor at Hampstead United Methodist
Church, the congregation wanted to start
a preschool, Stanley called on the
services of MHC’s now retired Outreach
Bruce and Melissa
Stanley with their
children, Alyssa
and Joseph.
Coordinator, Margaret Anne Biddle, to
consult with them about the details and
best practices of such a program.
A pastor, most definitely, but Stanley
is also a family man: husband to Melissa
and father to two teen-aged children,
Alyssa, 16, and Joseph, 15. Stanley is
well-aware that his many moves over the
years (his children have lived in six
different homes!) have been very demanding on those he loves. But, as he says, “I
am still wearing my wedding ring—and
my kids are still speaking to me!
Seriously, my work has always been a
challenge for my family, but they are all
people of faith, and they believe in ‘the
call.’ If I am called to do something, they
are called to support me in God’s work,
and they have supported me over the
years. I have truly been blessed in terms
of my family.”
In turn, Methodist Home for Children
is blessed to have pastor and family man
Stanley as its new President and CEO.
We eagerly await his leadership “to build
upon the social, physical, emotional, and
spiritual strengths of children, youth, and
families, and to affirm their worth.”
In the next issue of Spotlight look for
an in-depth interview with Bruce Stanley. ■
Did you know….?
MHC serves children, youth and families in five areas. We provide:
Community-based residential youth homes
Foster care, therapeutic foster care and adoption services
Substance abuse services
Family-based counseling
Early childhood services
SPOTLIGHT ON THE FAMILY SPRING 2006
2
A Place to Call Home
Would you invite a child to live with you? Would you give a child
a place to call home? Mary and Curnel Boney have for over ten
years. When they are asked, “How can you do it? How can you care
for troubled children, children whom you do not know? How can you
love them, and then let them leave after several months?” Mary
Boney says straightforwardly, “How could you NOT. There is so
much need…there are so many children who need homes.”
This is a brief look at two MHC foster
families: James and Denise Davis of
Durham, and Curnel and Mary Boney of
Rose Hill.
“Sometimes the call comes at two
in the morning. You’ve got to be ready
for anything,” notes James Davis, an
MHC foster parent since 2005. His wife,
Denise, nods in agreement. “You just go
with the flow,” she adds.
“These are the people I want you to
showcase to our friends. Their story needs
to be told,” says Erica Carbonara, MHC
Foster Care Specialist. She extols the work
and commitment the Davises put into their
work with Methodist Home for Children.
When asked what makes the Davises so
special, Erica reels off adjectives that
seem never to end. “They are committed,
flexible, experienced, good communicators, receptive to feedback….They make
my work easy.”
Similar words of praise flow from
Brian Wylie, another of MHC’s Foster
Care Specialists, when he speaks of the
Boneys. “They are amazing people. They
can work with any kind of child…they
help them all. They love them and share
their home with so many. You’ve got to
meet them. I want others to know about
the good work they do.”
Two sets of foster parents; two
families who give and give—and then
give some more.
Two sets of foster parents, each with a
biological child, and many more children
who call them mom and dad. “That’s the
funny thing about these kids—they
might not call us mom and dad when
they first come—but by the second
week—they all do,” says Denise Davis.
It’s a bit different at the Boneys.
Mary notes with a smile, “all the kids call
Curnel, ‘Dad,’ but they call me ‘Miss
Mary’.” “Well,” pipes in Curnel with a
laugh, “that’s because I’m ‘Mr. Nice Guy,’
and you, Mary, are the disciplinarian.”
Both families are interested in adopting children, even as they foster. Mary
and Curnel have already adopted two
sisters and have legal custody of another
youth for whom they have made a home
for two years. But there is always room
for one more. And, although Denise and
James usually foster teens, they would
like to adopt an infant—perhaps to give
big brother Jordan, 11, a sister.
In order to become a licensed foster
parent with MHC, adults need to complete 30 hours of pre-service training, on
such issues as loss and attachment,
understanding and maintaining a child’s
connections with the birth family, and
substance and sexual abuse concerns.
This training also includes CPR and first
aid. Additionally, each foster parent must
complete 10 hours of continuing in-service
training per year to remain credentialed
with the agency. One MHC employee has
noted, “Wouldn’t it be great if all parents,
even those with biological children, had
this training? All of our children would be
better off.”
“Why do you do foster—how can you
do it?,” the Davises are asked. They look a
bit perplexed, perhaps because for them,
the answer is obvious. Finally James
Mary and Curnel Boney offer so
much to the many children they
have cared for over the years
in their Rose Hill home.
METHODIST HOME FOR CHILDREN
3
James, Jordan and Denise Davis
at their home in Durham.
“they might not call us mom and dad when they
first come—but by the second week—they all do”
—Denise Davis
says, “It’s a joy….to see a smile on a
child’s face.” The Davis’ believe that in
working with children this closely, you
can really see their lives improve. James
speaks of Denise’s especially hard work
with one child they fostered. “When
Monique came to us when she was about
nine years old, she couldn’t even look at
herself in the mirror. She had no self
esteem. She didn’t have a hairbrush, she
didn’t brush her teeth, and she didn’t
even know her birthday.” She is now
living independently, working two jobs,
trying to get into college, with the help
of Denise and James.
The Boneys also speak about remaining in touch with the many children they
have fostered. But just as important for
them is the idea that the children and
youth who have made their home with
them remain in touch with their biological families, including aunts and uncles
and grandparents. Mary says knowingly,
“kids love their families, you can’t take
that away from them—and we wouldn’t
want to.” In fact, they have facilitated
many family get-togethers at their home,
often acting as hosts for days to out-oftown relatives, people whom the Boneys
have never met, but who have wanted to
remain connected to the Boneys foster
children.
To be a good foster parent requires
many things, not the least of which is a
willingness to set rules and boundaries
for the children in care. At the Boney
household, there is no television during
the school week. “Read, read, read,” says
Mary, a preschool teacher. The Davises
always have a family meeting as soon as
a child comes into their home where they
discuss house rules, expectations, and
responsibilities. “As all parents know,
raising children is hard—rewarding, but
hard. It is a job whose responsibility I
take seriously,” says James Davis.
At MHC there are three kinds of
foster care that parents can provide: 1)
Family foster care, where families foster
young people for about 6–12 months,
although it might be shorter or longer,
depending on the specific needs of the
child and family. Both the Boneys and
the Davises provide this kind of care.
Parents can also consider providing 2)
emergency foster care beds for children
who are at imminent risk and must be
removed from their homes. The Davis’
are also emergency providers, hence the
calls that sometimes come in the middle
of the night to receive a child in need.
Parents can also provide 3) therapeutic
foster care for children with mental
health diagnoses, those who need a very
high level of care.
One thing is certain, at least at the
Boneys and the Davises: there is a lot of
love that goes around. This love is not
always easy to give or to receive. However,
it is often reciprocated, and seems never
to go away. It remains even though the
children often must move on, back to their
biological families, perhaps on to adoptive homes, or to other arrangements.
The Davises and the Boneys both
have stacks of photos of the children
whose lives they have touched, and they
remember all of their names—and they
show them to a visitor with pride. “Now,
she is in the gifted program at school…
here he is with his biological sister…
this was taken right after church one
Sunday….” The Davises and the Boneys
are special people. They are MHC foster
parents who open their hearts to children
who need something so basic, a home. ■
Did you know….?
MHC currently has 123 licensed foster families
Last year MHC was a part of 18 adoptions….and we placed
285 children with foster families
The average age of a child in foster care is 91⁄2 years
There are seven foster cares specialists at MHC
18 North Carolina counties are served by MHC foster care services
SPOTLIGHT ON THE FAMILY SPRING 2006
4
“Successful is the person
Employees of the Year
who has lived well,
Methodist Home for Children is blessed with an outstanding staff that serves children,
youth, and families. Each year, several are selected as performing work of exceptional
quality and are honored as Employees of the Year. They represent the best ideals of
the agency and serve as models for all of their fellow staff members. The 2005 MHC
Employees of the Year are as follows (left to right, top to bottom):
laughed much, who has
gained the respect of
children, who leaves the
Balen Love, Resident Counselor, Robeson
County Multipurpose Home, Direct Care
Employee of the Year
world better than they
found it, who has never
Shander Meadows, Intensive Family
Preservation Specialist, Edgecomb and
Martin Counties, Direct Care Employee of
the Year
lacked appreciation for
the earth’s beauty, who
René Pearce, Administrative Coordinator,
Jordan Child and Family Enrichment
Center, Support Person of the Year
never fails to look for the
Rebekah Brewer, Lead Teacher, Infants,
Jordan Child and Family Enrichment
Center, Direct Care Employee of the Year
best of themselves.”
best in others or give the
—adopted from a poem by
Bessie Anderson Stanley,
Ellen Scarborough, Director of Residential
Services, Supervisor of the Year
displayed on a plaque honoring
MHC’s Employees of the Year
Erica Carbonara, Foster Care Specialist,
Direct Care Employee of the Year ■
What We Value
HONESTY
RESPONSIBILITY
to be truthful, fair, sincere, and straightforward
accountability for one’s behavior, duties, and obligations
RESPECT
COMPASSION
to show consideration for feelings, rights, and
an understanding of the suffering or troubles
property of self and others; to embrace diversity
of others which creates an urge to help
EMPOWERMENT
SPIRITUALITY
the ability to have control over
one’s choices and life
METHODIST HOME FOR CHILDREN
discovering personal meaning
and purpose
5
Pay Back Time
Reprinted from the Methodist
Orphanage/MHC Alumni newsletter
My years at the Orphanage were a
true blessing, and I received a strong
foundation there that has helped me for
my entire life. So many others, especially
those who live close to Raleigh, have
done so much in giving of themselves,
their talents, and their resources. From
time to time, I have responded to the
appeal from MHC for periodic gifts, but
never in a real meaningful way. With me
and my wife in our mid-70s, I decided it
was “pay back time.”
Over the years I had accumulated
some stock from the company where I
worked, but to sell it outright would have
generated too much tax. So, I decided to
use that stock to set up a trust fund that
could make annual gifts to Methodist
Home and a few other charities that have
Austin Britt in 1948 (detail from his graduating
class photo, Methodist Orphanage).
been important to my family. It wasn’t
hard or expensive to set this up, and
since earnings from the trust only go to
non-profits, there was no tax paid at all!
I gave the stock to the trust, the trust
sold the stock and invested the proceeds,
and I got a handsome tax deduction spread
out over a few years on my returns.
The great thing is that I don’t have to
worry about making a gift each year. The
trust takes care of this and annually sends
checks to the MO Alumni Association and
to MHC. And with good trust management, my “thank you” will continue for
years after my death.
Of course, every situation is different,
and you should always consult your
financial and legal advisors before starting something like this. But I wanted to
share my story so others would know this
type of giving could be done—and I bet
more than a few folks have some stock
like mine with a highly appreciated
value. Consider setting up a trust or just
giving that stock outright to MHC. We
should all give back what we can.
Thank you to all those who give so
much more.
—Austin Britt, MO Class of ‘48
The Methodist Home for Children
Foundation cheerfully accepts gifts of
appreciated stock! If you want to consider
establishing a donor-advised fund, we
encourage you to contact your nearest
community foundation. For more details,
call MHC Development Officer, Peter
MacBeth, 919.754.3620.
Two New Ways to Give to Methodist Home for Children
Programs for children, youth, and families at Methodist Home for Children
are many and varied: from early childhood to in-home family preservation services,
from community-based residential care to foster and adoption initiatives. While
MHC always welcomes unrestricted donations, we also invite your help with two
funds that support particular educational goals.
The Jordan Center Alumni & Friends Scholarship Fund
An initiative created in 2004 by Jordan Center parents and supporters to
raise scholarship funds for the school, this account is treated like an endowment,
with a portion of the annual earnings distributed each year. Disbursement from
the fund helps children receive services at the Jordan Center when their families have demonstrated financial need. Your
gift designated to this account insures that these children have access to the highest quality early childhood education.
The Michael W. Safley Scholarship Fund
Named in honor of former President and CEO Mike Safley, who led the agency from 1997–2005, this fund is designed
to help young people formerly in the care of MHC to enter and complete their post-secondary education. Your gift to this
account enables MHC to offer scholarships to more young adults who are pursuing educational goals after graduating from
high school.
To designate a gift to one of these funds, simply write the name of the scholarship (“Jordan Center Scholarship” or
“Safley Scholarship”) on the memo line of your check. For designated credit card gifts, please call Jennifer Cooper at
919.754.3625.
SPOTLIGHT ON THE FAMILY SPRING 2006
6
Jordan Center Update
A new director…a new classroom for Marcus
…and a governor’s education initiatives for
young children. News at the Jordan Center
couldn’t be better this spring. We invite you
to glance at a few of our stories
from this special place.
Katherine Hellinger Named Director
“I truly believe that typicallydeveloping kids are better off learning
with kids with special needs,” says
Katherine Hellinger, recently appointed
Director of the Jordan Child and Family
Enrichment Center. “And,” pipes in Ben
Sanders, Vice President of Program
Services—with a broad smile, “I truly
believe that Katherine is the right director
for this center. We looked long and hard
for her, and finally found the right person
whose professional career matches our
need for an experienced early child care
administrator with a deep commitment
to creating inclusive environments that
work well for all children.”
This has been the philosophy of the
Jordan Center since it opened more than
Tammy Jefferson with her son,
Marcus, enjoying the playground at
the Jordan Center.
Tammy holds Marcus, age four
months, after his tracheotomy.
five years ago. The center also remains
committed to encouraging and fostering
expressions of diversity of many kinds
among the children, the families and the
staff. Katherine believes that the world
our children will inherit is a richly diverse
place, a place where, in order to be both
happy and successful, children need the
experience of working, playing, and
associating with those who are not like
them. And she is determined to see that
this happens at the Jordan Center under
her watch.
Katherine has been a teacher, center
director, and regional director, and she
has enjoyed all of these roles. As Jordan
Center director, she handles the overall
administration of MHC’s early childhood
program, including budgeting and staff
development. However, she also spends
a good deal of time every day in the
classrooms getting to know students and
staff. “How else can I really get to know
Katherine Hellinger, hard at work,
but loving it!
METHODIST HOME FOR CHILDREN
our strengths and weaknesses? How else
to move us forward?,” she asks knowingly.
There is a quiet professionalism about
Katherine and a youthful exuberance in
her interactions with colleagues, Board
members, staff, and parents. We are confident that she has made the right career
move to join Methodist Home for Children
as its Director of Early Childhood Services,
and that the agency has made a wise
choice in bringing Katherine to the
Jordan Center.
Marcus Moves On
“He just didn’t need us anymore,”
Mary Jo Curry, RN, says with a smile. “He
didn’t need all of the nursing attention
that we give to children in the Tender
Health Care program. Marcus is stable. He
is academically ready. He needs assessment, and he needs to be monitored, but
he was ready to enter a typical three-yearold classroom, and he has done this.”
“And he loves it,” says his mom, Tammy
Jefferson with a smile that widens when
she speaks of her son. Marcus is indeed
a “success story,” and an example of the
positive results that can flow from the
7
informal collaboration that exists between
this child care program for children
who are medically fragile, funded by a
special appropriation from the NC General
Assembly and a grant from the NC
Division of Child Development in the
North Carolina Department of Health and
Human Services, and the Jordan Child
and Family Enrichment Center.
While formally this pilot program only
leases space from the Jordan Center, in
fact there is much more of a connection
between the two programs. There are
informal meetings between the staff of
both facilities as well as a common desire
to see, where appropriate, children in the
Tender Health Care program interacting
with those in the whole preschool setting,
and eventually transitioning to other
more inclusive environments.
Marcus’ tracheostomy should be
removed this summer. While he will
continue to need speech therapy for a
bit, for now he is enjoying his days in
Ms. Cindy Gendron’s three-year-old classroom. While Marcus is learning and
playing with his peers, his mother pursues
her education and works part-time. She
hopes one day to become a nurse or a
physician’s assistant.
Katherine Hellinger, Jordan Center
director makes a broader point when
discussing Marcus. “One of the most
wonderful things about the Jordan Center
is that our goal of inclusion is so often
made a reality. Just the other day, a child
from the Tender Health Care program
No job is too small for
Governor Easley as he enjoys
some informal moments with
Jordan Center students.
was on the playground, a child with a
tracheostomy. One of the kids welcomed
her and said, very matter-of-factly, ‘Oh,
she’s like Marcus, she has a tube.’ Here it
is neither bizarre nor strange that children
who are differently-abled are included
with the others. Children who experience
differences will learn acceptance and that
is a joy to see.”
The Governor Comes to the Jordan Center
On Wednesday, March 29th, Governor
Mike Easley held a press conference
at the Jordan Center highlighting his
education initiatives, including the More
at Four pre-kindergarten program for
at-risk four-year-olds. The Jordan Center
has participated in this program for the
last five years and now serves 36 More
Did you know….?
There are 144 children enrolled at the Jordan Center
42% of these children receive financial aid
Over 11% of our children have special needs
There are 38 staff members at the center
In her outreach work, our training specialist helped over 500 child
care professionals last year
This past February, The Jordan Center turned 5 years old! Happy Birthday!
at Four students in two classrooms. The
governor’s appearance showcased our
five-star center, whose best practices are
regarded as a standard in early childhood
education.
Center Director, Katherine Hellinger,
introduced the Governor, after which he
gave a brief presentation in front of a
large poster created by children in the
three-year-old classrooms. Then Governor
Easley toured two of the four-year-old
classrooms, where he met teachers, and
read to students, and even helped a little
girl tie her shoe. Rollie Tillman, a student
in Ms. Rhonda Privette’s room, presented
the governor with a framed quotation
with handprints to commemorate the
event. Representatives from several state
and local news media were present. ■
SPOTLIGHT ON THE FAMILY SPRING 2006
8
Returning a Favor
Every child deserves
respect, love, and
What goes around comes around…a time-worn phrase, but for
good reason. It is so often true. We have our own example of this at
I have worked with
at MHC follows
Methodist Home for Children.
Five years ago, Kate Parke, Intake
Specialist at the agency, was a senior
at Meredith College in Raleigh majoring
in social work. As part of her graduation
requirement, she was obliged to
complete an internship with a minimum
of 450 hours with a social service
agency. Her instructor paired Kate up
with Methodist Home for Children. Under
the supervision of former Vice President
Marcie White, Kate learned much about
MHC’s work with children, youth, and
families. Her experiences were so positive,
her belief in the agency so strong, that
after completing her Master of Social Work
(MSW) at Michigan State University,
Kate came back to work at MHC. Today
Kate loves her job. She jokes that when
asked to explain to friends what an
“Intake Specialist” does, her husband
answers, “Kate makes families!”
However, the story does not end here.
Kate is now returning the favor given to
compassion—everyone
her. She currently supervises the internship of Shelia Guy, a Meredith College
senior in social work. Kate explains and
explores with Shelia the work of the
agency, and introduces this budding social
worker to some of the actual practices in
the field. This includes everything from
the work of family preservation and foster
care specialists to collecting follow-up
data from those who have benefited from
our services. Kate explains, “I had such
a good experience with my own internship that I felt I had a duty to give back.
I also wanted to show today’s soon-to-be
social workers the best practices in the
industry. I want them to understand our
model of care that is so powerful and can
inform their social work no matter where
they practice.”
This partnership is working. Sheila
loves MHC! This mother of six completed
her Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) in
May 2006 and plans to continue her
this philosophy—and
practices it daily.
—Shelia Guy
work with children, something she always
has wanted to do. But Sheila has also
come to love the agency. “The way everyone here interacts with and cares for
children is amazing. Every child deserves
respect, love, and compassion—everyone
I have worked with at MHC follows this
philosophy—and practices it daily. I see
children and families becoming healthier
as I go on home visits and attend treatment team meetings. As part of the
follow-up, I talk to those who are now out
of care months and years after they have
left. Most are thriving, due to the good
work that people at MHC do every day.”
More than just heaping words of
praise on Kate and her colleagues, Sheila,
who doesn’t have any money to give the
agency now with her own children to care
for, has made a provision in her will to
benefit Methodist Home for Children.
“The work of this agency must continue
—what you do is precious—and I want to
be a small part of that.” ■
Sheila Guy, left, a recent Meredith
College graduate, with her Field
Instructor and fellow Meredith alumna,
Kate Parke, MHC’s Intake Specialist,
enjoying the beautiful spring weather
outside agency headquarters in Raleigh.
METHODIST HOME FOR CHILDREN
9
Where Are They Now?
His dad died when he was a year old. His
mother had a 6th grade education—and had
four children to care for—during and after the
Great Depression.
This was a time when federal and
state government programs to protect
society’s most vulnerable were not yet
in place, when the terms “welfare” and
“food stamps” had not yet been coined.
This was a time when most social service
programs were in the hands of the private
sector, most notably the churches. No
wonder—and thank God—Herbert G.
Wells came to the Methodist Orphanage
in 1935.
Actually all four Wells’ children came
to live at the orphanage where, as
Herbert emphatically states, “I got
something there that I couldn’t have
gotten anywhere else: discipline, respect,
and I learned how to work—Oh, did I
learn how to work! They instilled the work
ethic in me.”
While Herbert worked hard on the
farm each day and went to school
diligently, he was no model resident! In
1944, at age 16, he ran away from the
orphanage. As he tells it, he was a
sheltered young man who was ready to
see the world—and see it he did.
Between working at the shipyards in
Portsmouth, VA and joining the Navy,
when he left the service in 1947 he had
traveled all across the United States.
Upon his discharge, where did he return?
Raleigh, North Carolina, to the only real
home he had ever known. He was offered
a job on the G.I. Bill. However, in order
to secure the position, Herbert had to
have a letter of recommendation. And
whom did he ask to provide a reference?
The beloved “Daddy Barnes,” Albert
Sidney Barnes, Superintendent of the
Methodist Orphanage from 1915–1948.
“I am writing
you about Herbert
G. Wells,” the
recommendation
letter of October 10, 1947,
begins. “I want to ask and
urge the Carolina Power &
Light Company to give this
orphan boy an opportunity
to demonstrate his ability
and character for the work
which you have to offer
him….” And so, with this
good letter in hand, Herbert
began his 40-year service
to CP&L, the company
from which he retired
some 17 years ago.
The orphanage not only
provided Herbert a healthy beginning in
life and aided him in securing his career,
it also helped him find his wife, Rosalee,
who had her own connection to the
orphanage: Her cousins were raised there.
They introduced their friend, Herbert, to
cousin Rosalee … and the rest is history.
Oh, and by the way, guess who married
them? Daddy Barnes—in 1948 at the
Chapel at Edenton Street United
Methodist Church in Raleigh. Fifty-eight
years later they are still together—after
five children, nine grandchildren, and
four great-grandchildren.
And Herbert and Rosalee remain
connected to Methodist Home for
Children. They have attended the
MO/MHC Alumni’s annual Easter reunion
for years. Herbert also serves as head
chef for that group’s annual Christmas
breakfast. Along with Rosalee and fellow
Herbert and Rosalee
Wells…almost 60
years ago and today
…still smiling after
all these years!
alumni Peggy and Billy Griffin, Herbert
rises at the crack of dawn to scramble
over 16 dozen eggs for about 100 of his
extended “brothers and sisters” from the
orphanage.
“Without the orphanage I don’t know
where I would have ended up,” he says
emphatically. Instead, it is quite clear
where Herbert Wells has ended up: In a
beautiful home with a loving wife by his
side, a successful career of which he is
proud, family that visits often, walls and
tables filled with their photos. On a
beautiful spring day they quietly talk
about their life together. They are clearly
happy, and a visitor is a bit envious of the
fine life they have created for themselves—thanks in no small part to their
connection to the Methodist Orphanage. ■
SPOTLIGHT ON THE FAMILY SPRING 2006
10
We Are Family
Join us in celebrating with these families who adopted through
Methodist Home for Children since our last issue of Spotlight was
published. For information about fostering and adopting, please
call us toll-free at 1.888.305.4321.
together—and God
“God led me to Ieshia and brought us
ra Dowdy about
will see us through to the end,” says Leno
Ieshia’s adoption
her daughter. On October 18th, 2005,
her forever.
became final, and now Lenora can love
Former President and CEO,
Mike Safley, Honored
Mike Safley, former President and CEO of MHC,
was honored twice in December 2005. He was
inducted into the agency’s Guardian Angel Society
that recognizes those who, through their service and
support, have made extraordinary commitments to
the children and families served by Methodist Home
for Children. Governor Mike Easley also awarded
Mike the Order of the Long Leaf Pine, the highest
civilian honor the governor can bestow upon a citizen
of North Carolina.
Mike is pictured standing beside
his official MHC portrait, a painting
that was unveiled at a dinner honoring
his years of service to the agency.
METHODIST HOME FOR CHILDREN
Ebony, Tierra, and Nekishia officially
became part of
the Washington family on Decemb
er 29, 2005, when
their adoptions were finalized. The
y join a large extended
and loving family of aunts, uncles
and cousins who
live nearby, and often worship and
vacation together.
The girls are pictured with their pare
nts, Leanna and
Rudolph Washington.
11
Hats Off to All Our Great Community Partners
MHC recently received a $300,000
grant from the Duke Endowment to
sustain programs at the Jordan Center.
We are very grateful to our generous and
long-time supporter.
Our hat is off to Krispy Kreme,
Domino’s and Coca-Cola for their commitment to sponsor and support our ongoing
foster parent training and safety days in
Wilmington. Thank you also to the Harbor
UMC Youth group, Wrightsboro UMC and
United Christian Campus Ministry of
UNCW for hosting several youth gatherings, to Pine Valley UMC for serving as
host for our area Christmas festivities,
and to the Women’s Club for creating
Easter baskets for our kids in care.
We are grateful to FOX 50 and the
Connect a Child Partnership that promotes
adoption. This collaboration features MHC
foster and adoptive families to help
encourage others to do the same. These
engaging cameos air in the Triangle each
Wednesday evening during the 10:00 PM
newscast, as well as in such great timeslots as “American Idol.”
Wendy’s and the Dave Thomas
Foundation for Adoption teamed up to
raise $37,700 to support our foster and
adoption programs! Wow! Thank you to
all who participated in our Wendy’s/MHC
partnership last fall by buying Halloween
“frosty” coupon booklets at Wendy’s
restaurants!
Corporate partner Coastal Federal
Credit Union hosted our kids and families
at several local events including the
Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey
Circus in February.
The Jordan Center has a PTA! Its aim
is to assist the center through volunteerism, communication and fundraising.
This group was chartered earlier this fall
and has already been hard at work in
collaboration with the staff and parents
of the center.
For the eighth year, Raleigh radio
station Sunny 93.9 sponsored a giftgiving and wrapping event, “Wrapping
Hopes and Dreams,” for the benefit of
our children and families. Over 2,000
unwrapped toys and clothing were
collected throughout the Triangle at
McCafes and at Mattress Firm stores!
Thank you for your generosity that made
the holiday brighter for so many. Also,
because of our partnership with Sunny
93.9, MHC received an unanticipated but
very welcome gift of 16 twin mattresses,
box springs and frames from Mattress
Firm for three of our residential homes.
Thanks to The Bamboo Club in
Raleigh for hosting a special cultural event
for our kids and staff earlier this year.
Our kids experienced a unique regional
Asian dining and cultural exchange—a
most interesting event in support of our
commitment to cultural diversity.
We are grateful to the over 420
congregations that supported our children
and families through MHC Sunday
2006. Many thanks to the United
Methodist Women, whose extraordinary
efforts made MHC Sunday so successful!
What a tasty way to benefit MHC’s
kids and families! Shop at Food Lion and
use your MVP card. A portion of your total
grocery purchase will be donated to the
agency. Simply log on to the Food Lion
website, www.foodlion.com, and register
your card. Once on the site, look under
“In the Community” and click on “Lion
Shop & Share.” Select “Register MVP
Cards” and follow the directions.
Many thanks to the Henrietta III in
Wilmington for hosting the Second
Annual Administrative Professionals Day
Luncheon Cruise on April 26th that
benefited those served by MHC.
The annual Methodist Orphanage/
Methodist Home for Children Alumni
Reunion was held over Easter weekend,
and honored the high school graduating
class of 1956. ■
Sunny 93.9’s morning hosts,
Madison Lane and Dave Kent,
with MHC staff and volunteers at
“Wrapping Hopes and Dreams.”
SPOTLIGHT ON THE FAMILY SPRING 2006
12
Joys of Adoption is Theme for “A Winter’s Tale”
A hushed silence came over the entire room…..all 382 of our
guests listened….”Adopting Omar was the best thing I have ever
done—not for Omar and not for my family—although I believe the
adoption has been a blessing to and for them…but I mean, for me.
Adopting Omar is the best thing I have ever done… for me. It has
changed my life, made me a better human being.” So ended Nick
Searcy’s remarks at the 9th annual “A Winter’s Tale” gala.
Always a festive celebration of the
good work done by the agency, this year’s
gala was a bit different: from the change
in venue to the North Ridge County Club
in Raleigh, to a change in keynote speaker
from author to Hollywood actor and MHC
adoptive parent.
Actor and MHC adoptive parent, Nick
Searcy, and MHC Board member, Sarah
Jordan, happy with the signed ACC
basketballs they won at the live auction.
Bishop Alfred Gwinn with David Witt,
Interim President and CEO of MHC.
Representative Linda Coleman
and her husband, Jimmy, celebrating
“A Winter’s Tale.”
METHODIST HOME FOR CHILDREN
The mood was joyous as old and new
friends of Methodist Home for Children
mixed and mingled as they examined
myriad silent auction items displayed on
the perimeter of the elegant ballroom.
Ladies in their smart attire, men in dark
suits or tuxedos. Important dress for a
significant occasion: honoring and commemorating the hard but fulfilling work
of MHC that served over 1500 children,
youth, and families this past year.
Chaired by Lee and Jim Black and
Lisa and Peter Pace, the evening was also
a successful one in terms of fundraising.
More that $116,000 was raised for
MHC programs, a total higher than in any
previous year!
Micheal Cox was a special guest at
the event. Once a troubled youth who
stayed in our group homes, Micheal is
now a college student and an intern at
the North Carolina Department of Juvenile
Justice and Delinquency Prevention. His
words of blessing and praise before the
meal captured the spirit of the evening:
“Dear Lord, we thank you for the good
people at Methodist Home for Children
who have made such a difference in my
life—and the lives of so many others.”
Charlie Gaddy, former WRAL newscaster and longtime supporter of MHC,
was the Master of Ceremonies for the
ninth consecutive year. He and Jennie
Hayman of the Gala Committee also
hosted a live auction at the end of the
evening to the delight of many… including
new owners of signed ACC basketballs
and elegant jewelry!
An integral part of the evening was
the presentation of three Guardian Angel
awards that recognize those who have
13
The law firm of Young Moore and
Henderson has helped Methodist Home
for Children by providing sound legal
advice for more than 35 years. Among
their varied services include counsel on
real estate matters that has allowed us to
establish community-based services,
advice on contracts and personnel matters,
and handling all of our 114 adoptions.
They have supported the mission of this
agency by granting generous discounts
on their professional fees, saving MHC
thousands of dollars that have been
redirected to programs that nurture children, youth, and families.
Methodist Home for Children has
been the lucky beneficiary of Wrightsville
United Methodist Church’s generosity
that has steadfastly supported our programs in New Hanover County and the
Wilmington district. Their benevolence
has provided us with everything from
thousands of dollars in donations—
including nearly $10,000 from the 2005
“Son Run” race—to gifts of clothing and
toys for those in our care. The church
even provided truck rental and moving
services in response to a special call for
help! We are grateful to all the members
of the Wrightsville UMC congregation.
Among those in attendance at “A
Winter’s Tale” were Bishop Alfred Gwinn
of the North Carolina Conference of the
United Methodist Church; North Carolina
Supreme Court Justice Sarah Parker;
former North Carolina Supreme Court
Justice Burley Mitchell and his wife, Lou;
Secretary of State Elaine Marshall and her
husband Bill Holdford; former Lieutenant
Governor Bob Jordan and his wife, Sarah;
retired North Carolina District Court
Judge, Bill Creech and his wife Sally;
and Wake County Representative Linda
Coleman and her husband, Jimmy. ■
Many thanks to our
*
shown extraordinary commitment to and
support of the children and families
served by MHC.
LeeAnn and Bruce Brawley believe
deeply in the mission of Methodist Home
for Children. And they have done so
much to make it a reality: from mentoring youth in our care and helping host
community “open houses” at our group
homes to generously supporting this
agency financially. Bruce joined the MHC
Board of Directors in 2003 and currently
serves as the chair of its Planning
Committee and sits on the Executive
Committee. The Brawleys have steadfastly contributed to the success of
MHC’s programs with their time, treasure,
and talents.
sponsors, who helped
make the evening possible.
*
Platinum Sponsor
Golden Corral Corporation
Gold Sponsors
*
Lee and Jim Black
Blue Cross and Blue Shield
of North Carolina
Edenton Street UMC Missions
Lloyd V. Hackley
House of Raeford
*
Silver Sponsors
Capitol Broadcasting Company, Inc.
Leith Automotive Family
Table Sponsors
Gail and Tom Blalock
Captive Aire Systems
Capstrat
*
*
Corporate Press
Barbara and Don Curtis
Edenton Street UMW
First Citizens Bank
Jordan Lumber Company
Mutual of America
Progress Energy
Progress Printing
Rex Healthcare
Rich Products Corporation
Stock Building Supply
*
Wachovia Bank
Williams Overman
Pierce & Company, LLP
Bronze Sponsors
Creative Visions, Inc.
*
2005 Guardian Angels (top to bottom)
LeeAnn and Bruce Brawley, Clark
Brewer and Rudy Ogburn of Young
Moore and Henderson, and Pastor
Tim Russell of Wrightsville UMC (with
MHC’s David Witt).
Julie and Peter Hans
*
SPOTLIGHT ON THE FAMILY SPRING 2006
Spotlight on the Family ™
NONPROFIT
ORGANIZATION
US POSTAGE
Methodist Home for Children
Administrative Headquarters
1041 Washington Street
Raleigh, North Carolina 27605-1259
www.mhfc.org
PAID
PPCO
Many thanks to the
ladies who created and
donated over 60 Easter
baskets for children and
families in our care.
TO OUR FRIENDS WHO ARE FEDERAL EMPLOYEES:
MHC has been accepted into the Combined Federal
Campaign. Please remember to designate MHC as your
charity of choice—and encourage your friends, co-workers
and neighbors who are also federal employees to do the
same! We participate in these areas:
Designate
MHC as
Your Charity
of Choice
➤
Research Triangle Area: #5650
➤
Onslow County (includes Camp Lejeune): #7961
➤
Southeastern North Carolina (includes Fort Bragg): #9021
➤
Cape Fear Area: # 5408
➤
Cherry Point CFC: #3234
➤
Piedmont Triad Area: #4144
CALLING ALL STATE EMPLOYEES!
You can designate MHC as your charity of choice in the
State Employees Combined Campaign. Our SECC code is
1588. Encourage other to do the same—and better the
lives of children, youth and families in North Carolina.
METHODIST
HOME FOR
CHILDREN