Winter 2015 - Bethany Children`s Home

QUARTERLY NEWSLETTER from
BETHANY CHILDREN’S HOME
JANUARY 2015
ECHO
Winter 2015
BethanyWins $5000, Freedom Auto
Group’s Test Drive for Charity Event
BCH Extensions
Some of our extensions have changed!
Please see this list for current numbers.
Main Office
Main fax 610-589-4501
610-589-5771
Please use the following extensions:
In November of 2014 Bethany Children's Home participated in a new campaign
with Eric Savage and the Freedom Auto Group team in Hamburg, PA. Thanks to
Brenda Meyers from Wyomissing who listed Bethany as her charity of choice in
the Freedom Cares Test Drive for Charity event, Bethany was awarded a check for
$5000.
We are thankful for this campaign and for Brenda's understanding of the Bethany
mission. We would like to thank everyone who test drove a new car at Freedom
Toyota or Freedom Hyundai in Hamburg, and voted for Bethany Children’s Home
as a deserving local non-profit organization.
Human Resources
105
Development 300
Business Office
101
Social Services
806
Archives
305
Emergency Shelter Care
630
Daycare 250
Christmas at Bethany
Youth and staff experienced a busy and fulfilling Christmas season at Bethany Children’s Home in December 2014.
The season kicked off with the annual Hanging of the Greens service and Tree Lighting ceremony, and continued with
cookie socials, ornament exchanges, fellowship opportunities, the annual Youth Christmas Dinner, Christmas Eve
service, and of course Christmas Day! Staff and donors went above and beyond to make this holiday season magical
and special for Bethany residents.
Each year, youth and staff from all
departments across Bethany’s campus
come together for the Hanging of the
Greens church service and Tree
Lighting Ceremony. During the service
the congregation participates in
decorating the church and the Christmas
tree. This year, Bethany welcomed
Rev. Corrine Dautrich from First UCC
in Reading to officiate the service.
Every cottage participated in the annual
Handmade Ornament Exchange, along
with other staff and departments.
Featured above are the ornaments from
each cottage and department, as given
to Leinbach Cottage. Participants are
encouraged to get creative and the
projects are low in cost, but always
unique! Cottages keep these ornaments
in their collections to use year after year.
Volunteers from Ft. Indiantown Gap
helped us keep Christmasland running
smoothly! The Development team was
thankful for their help during a chaotic
but favorite time of year on Bethany’s
campus. The volunteers helped sort,
organize, and wrap Christmas gifts for
youth and cottages. Thank you to all the
volunteers who helped us this year.
Many cottages at Bethany were treated
to parties with United Church of Christ
youth groups and other visiting groups.
Visitors baked cookies with Bethany
residents, played games, shared lunches,
and many brought gifts for the residents.
If you, your church, organization, or
business would like to get involved in
our Adopt - A - Cottage program call us
today at 610-589-6828.
Residents play large roles in Bethany’s
annual Christmas Eve service. The youth
have opportunities to participate in a
children’s pageant type service and play
the roles of Mary, Joseph, and the Wise
Men. Bethany again welcomed Rev.
Corrine Dautrich to lead the service.
Thanks to Bethany staff and members of
the First UCC choir, the service was full
of good spirited music.
For many Bethany youth, Christmas at
BCH is the first they have experienced.
Thank you to all of our donors for
providing our youth a blessed and
exciting Christmas morning.
To learn more about involvement opportunities and how you can make a difference with service projects, adopting a cottage, or making
financial contributions please contact our Development Department today at 610-589-6828 or visit our website at www.bethanyhome.org
BCH Shelter Program:
Highlighting Bethany’s Emergency Shelter
Care Program, currently in Hess Cottage
The Shelter Program is a licensed 24 hour
emergency placement for youth ages 10-18. The
youth are identified as being in need of a stable
environment while a more permanent plan for
their care is developed.
Youth receive a health screening at intake, are
allowed weekly sibling and family visits, and are
provided music therapy, arts and recreation, daily
life skills training, and immediate school
placement.
The youth report that staff make them feel at
home by assisting them in completing daily living
skills which include baking, laundry and daily
household chores.
One youth expressed how she enjoyed Christmas because,
“everyone was together and like a family.” She really
enjoyed the presents she received from Santa. She also
expressed how much fun she had with her peers when
they participated in a campus scavenger hunt.
Eating three meals a day, brushing their teeth, showering,
and sleeping in a clean bed are basic routines youth
Youth Successful in BCH Program
Melissa* came to Bethany in
January of 2014 due to
parent-child conflicts in the
home. She did well, and it was not
long before she was accepted into
the Independent Living program.
When asked how she would
describe her time at Bethany, she
explained that “it has been fun,
has given me more opportunities,
and has been helpful with my
relationship with my mom.”
After almost a year in IL, Melissa
is working her way through Level
3, receiving numerous Student of
the Month Awards and keeping
straight A’s at Conrad Weiser
High School where she is a senior.
She recalls some of her
favorite times at Bethany spent on
bowling trips, and enjoys playing
Wallyball and doing Zumba as
her recreation groups.
Melissa is looking forward to
graduating in May and moving
into Bethany’s Supervised
Independent Living program.
She has also set a goal to attend
college after graduation.
Staff reports that Melissa is an
incredibly special youth with a
very bright future.
“She has the motivation to do
whatever she sets her mind to,”
reports Recreation staff Sarah
Palmer.
appreciate that Bethany provides, since many children do
not have access to food or running water in their current
living situations.
Staff also hold youth accountable for their daily actions
both positive and negative. This practice enables staff to
effectively establish boundaries and teach responsibility.
Staff are able to assist the youth in moving through other
Bethany programs such Short Term, Residential, or
Bethany’s Independent Living Program.
Alumni Award Nominations
Now Being Accepted!!
The Bethany Alumni Association is seeking award
nominations to recognize an Outstanding Alum who
has committed themselves to service to the community,
church and/or Bethany.
The nominee must have resided at Bethany for a
minimum of one year.
Awardee must be available to attend Bethany’s
Homecoming scheduled for Sunday, June 28, 2015 at
Bethany Children’s Home.
Nominations and a resume should be submitted to:
Mr. Leroy Gensemer
120 West 39th Street
Reading PA 19606
Youth Learn Value of Community
Service in Fun Environment
Sarah Palmer, Recreation Staff and Dustin Horne, Resident
Artist/Recreation Staff have most recently been working to
offer community service opportunities for some of the youth
at Bethany.
Along with regular trash and litter clean up along Bethany
Road, and at the local park, they have had youth assisting with
local outreach community service as well. One of the projects
was to create Christmas ornaments in our Pottery studio,
which began with two large orders of 200 ornaments for each
order, purchased by donors of the program.
Upon completion of these large orders, Dustin and our youth
wanted to continue with the project. With the adoption of
‘Claya,’ a boxer/shepherd mix, through Bethany’s Animal
Assisted Therapy Program, Dustin was driven to support the
Lebanon Humane Society.
Ornaments made by youth
& Resident artist, donated
to Humane Society
Dustin created Christmas Ornaments in the shape of dog
bones, and had the youth in the Community Service group
assist with the glazing and finishing of them. The group then
took a field trip to the Lebanon Humane Society and donated
60 ornaments for the Humane Society to sell, with all
proceeds to benefit the animals at the Humane Society.
The youth enjoyed this activity and giving back to the
community so much, they are now volunteering at the
Humane Society’s Shelter in Myerstown.
Together, Dustin and Sarah have some creative and fun ways
to get BCH youth involved in the community and to help
others where they can. Both Sarah and Dustin look forward to
future opportunities to help create more community
involvement with the youth served at Bethany.
Claya, a boxer-shepherd
mix adopted from the
Lebanon Humane Society
Bethany’s Director of Development
Recognized by Alvernia University
Meggan (Hannigan) Kerber
Bachelor’s 1996, MBA 2001
2014 Ellen Frei Gruber Award
Each October, Alvernia University honors organizations
and individuals who made a significant impact on the
university and its surrounding community.
Last fall, Alvernia recognized Bethany’s Director of
Development with the Ellen Frei Gruber Alumni Award.
The award is presented to an individual who has given
outstanding service to his/her alma mater and
exemplified continued commitment and support of the
mission of Alvernia University. Most importantly, this
individual reflects the values of service, humility,
peacemaking, contemplation, and collegiality.
A graduate of Alvernia University with a bachelor’s degree
in psychology and an MBA with an emphasis in
community service and economic leadership.
Meggan’s exposure to philanthropy and volunteerism
began as a student at Alvernia, working in the
Institutional Advancement office. She has served her alma
mater well, serving as the Chairperson of the
Alumni Executive Board; Awards, Publications, Special
Join the Bethany team
and learn valuable
Archiving skills:
Events and
Nominating
committees of the
Alumni Board;
Planned Giving and
the 50th Anniversary
Committees.
Currently, Meggan is serving as a board member for Girls
on the Run; President of Reading Rotary Club; Children’s
Home of Reading Marketing Committee and Annual
Dinner Chair; Berks Encore Marketing Committee; plus a
founding member, past president and chapter
administrator for the Association of Fund Raising
Professionals – Berks Regional Chapter.
She has volunteered her time with the Greater Reading
Convention & Visitors Bureau; Professional Referral
Exchange; Breast Cancer Support Services of Berks
County; John Paul II Center; TriCounty Community
Network; Association of Fundraising Professionals
Eastern Chapter and Berks Counseling Center.
Bethany is seeking a volunteer or intern to assist our
Archivist in organizing records; cataloging and indexing
records; digitizing documents and photographs; and
responding to personal requests from alumni and/or friends
by phone, email or written.
All skills for position can be learned in house. Computer
skills are helpful.
For more information contact the Development Office at
610-589-6828
Ted Batdorf Supports BCH Bike Group
Bike riding at Bethany has been a
long standing activity for youth in
our care. It is a great opportunity
for youth to exercise, learn the local
community and to become aware of
road safety.
In 2005, Bethany connected with
Ted’s Bike Shop to assist us in
repairing bikes or replacing parts as
needed. Over the years, Ted has fixed
or refurbished at least one hundred
bikes for Bethany.
In addition, he has donated many
bikes he rebuilt. A few years ago, Ted
retired from his shop and moved to
the other side of Rt. 422 in
Myerstown.
This move made it more difficult for
local youth to visit his shop because
they had to cross the busy highway.
However his passion for helping did
not end!
Earlier
this year
Bethany
reached
out to Ted
to see if he
could help
us again
with a few
bikes and
to help us
decipher
between
bikes that
are fixable
and those
to be sold.
Donor Ted Batdorf drops off new bikes at Christmas for Bethany Bike Group
Thankfuly, Ted agreed to help BCH.
continued support and willingness to
help.
Ted has been an asset to Bethany for
many years and continues to
ensure that our youth are riding safely
each year. We are so thankful for his
To learn how you or your
organization can get involved or
contribute to any of our programs or
groups, call us today at 610-589-6828.
Because of us, she doesn’t have to do it alone.
Because of you, we’re there for her.
A
simple, meaningful gift through your will or estate
enables us to assist her with self-understanding, growth, and healing
towards a brighter healthier future.
The gift costs you nothing during your lifetime,
and it makes their future possible.
For more information on how to make a difference call 610-589-6828.
The official registration and financial information of Bethany Home Inc. and Bethany Children's Home Inc. may be obtained from
the Pennsylvania Department of State by calling toll free, within Pennsylvania, (800) 732-0999. Registration does not imply
endorsement. Tax Id: 23-1365188
BCH Residents & Kiwanis
make Fresh Applesauce
The Kiwanis Club of Berks
County has been making fresh
applesauce with Bethany youth for
about 6 years, and this holiday season
the Club joined with our residents to
make about 300 quarts of fresh, all
natural applesauce which they froze
for our campus to enjoy all year long.
Bethany received 80 bushels of apples
donated by Kevin Wise of
Newmanstown and Preston's
Orchard in Wernersville. The quart
sized containers used to store the
applesauce were donated by
Dutchway of Schafferstown.
The Kiwanis Club, including Bethany
Children’s Home CEO Kevin
Snyder, joined with youth and staff in
Bethany’s Helping Hands program, as
well as Leinbach, Moyer, and Brobst
cottages to prepare the applesauce.
“I’ve never thought about how to
make applesauce before, and this was
a fun experience for me,” said one
youth.
This is the largest batch the Kiwanis
Club has helped Bethany youth
prepare, and the largest number of
youth who have engaged in the
activity. Staff and youth benefit from
the information presented on
preserving food as a life skill.
Bethany Youth Thankful for Support
I wanted to express my deepest gratitude and appreciation, to the people
at Bethany Children’s Home for providing me with the funds in order
to attend the One Thing conference in Kansas City Missouri. While the
drive was really long the experience was one not to be forgotten.
I met a lot of new people and friendships that will last a lifetime. It
warms my heart knowing that Bethany Children’s Home isn’t just a place
where kids go to be away from family, but it becomes part of your family.
I owe it to Bethany for shaping me to be who I am today; and I had some
great memories while I was there.
Bethany will always have a special place in my heart. Some of the staff
there played a big part in my life and those bonds can never be broken.
As for the Conference itself there was over 20,000 young adults there to
encounter the love of Christ; and just to see so many people, peers, and
families come together in unity made me simply speechless.
Jon Torres (front left) lived at BCH for nearly six years, graduated from
Conrad Weiser High School, and is currently a graphic design student at
Thaddeus Stevens in Lancaster, PA.
While everything in life has a purpose and plan, there was a reason I was
sent to Bethany and a reason I lost my way and found myself at rock
bottom at a time in my life. A reason I couldn’t understand before, but
now I do.
In order for God to make himself known to me I had to realize how
much I actually needed him. I was so caught up with other things but
it wasn’t until I was at my lowest point God was ready to step in my
life and change me to the man I was always meant to be. Looking back
I couldn’t imagine being where I’m at now. I thank God for his mercy
and grace and I also thank Bethany for letting a silent prayer of mine
come to pass. God works in mysterious ways and for that I am extremely
grateful. Thank you once again!
- Jon Torres
Worship concert at the One Thing Conference in Kansas City, MO. 2014
1863 Bethany Road
Womelsdorf, PA 19567
www.bethanyhome.org
610-589-4501
RETURN SERVICES REQUESTED
Bethany Employees
Participate in Dale
Carnegie Institute
Cultivating a healthy work
environment is vital to the success
of any business or organization and
even more important in developing
a sense of community.
With great transitions and growth
at Bethany this year, it was time to
rebuild our community. Through
the guidance and leadership of
the Dale Carnegie Institute and J.
Michael Dowd, 40 members of the
Bethany staff attended an eight
J. Michael Dowd
week program focusing on effective
communication skills, strengthening interpersonal
relationships, managing stress and handling fast-changing
workplace conditions.
Through the program, attendees developed more
effective communications skills and were better equipped to
handle the opportunities and challenges set forth on a daily basis.
YEARS OF SERVICE
Janet Durkin
Nevin Carter
Kevin Snyder
Greg Kalata
Christine Kreiser
Sara Thrasher
Whitney DeMiere
Lyn Shanaman
Cheryl Gerhart
Aaron White
Cindy Patschke
Cindy Angstadt
October
2 years
4 years
1 year
November
8 years
20 years
3 years
1 year
27 years
December
“ Over the last 20
years I’ve been truly
rewarded working
with youth at BCH! ”
- Christine Kreiser
10 years
1 year
9 years
4 years