The new MCH Family Outreach office in the Permian Basin is open for business at 706 Adams Ave. in Odessa. Methodist Children’s Home recently hosted a luncheon introducing the ministry and services to the community. More than 160 people attended, representing agencies, community organizations and churches in the area.
“MCH Family Outreach in Permian Basin started out just as an idea in early March 2020,” said MCH President and CEO Trey Oakley. “What I love about our ministry is we have many people with expertise who take ideas and put them into action. That’s exactly what happened in Odessa.
“Our staff in the Programs, Advancement, and Human Resources departments and the Executive Leadership Team came alongside likeminded organizations in the Permian Basin to fulfill God’s plan for our 14th Outreach office,” he said. “Looking at the attendees at the luncheon brought such joy and gratefulness as I reflected on how God ordained these plans and relationships.”
Jeremy Webb, chief advancement officer, was part of the team cultivating relationships in West Texas over the course of several years.
“We are excited to join these communities in mission to give families hope who may otherwise have none,” Webb said. “We are so humbled and grateful for all who attended the luncheon. It’s encouraging for us since we’re the ‘newbies’ in the area. It’s our heart and our hope to come alongside others to do whatever it takes to serve.”
Traci Wagner, vice president for programs, offered more insight at the luncheon into the services offered through MCH Family Outreach.
“Each of the communities MCH serves is unique and has specific needs,” Wagner explained. “We are blessed with resources to provide the highest quality programs and services for children, youth and families across Texas and New Mexico. Our staff is committed to five-star service throughout their walk with families – whether that’s teaching a grandparent how to build better relationships with their grandchildren who are now in their care, or helping providing a family with beds or clothes.
“As a TBRI Ambassador Organization, MCH also equips fellow agencies and organizations through trauma-informed trainings, which further expands the network of community resources available to families,” she added.
Wagner also introduced Programs staff involved with the Permian Basin office. Stephanie Janes, director; Celeste Reyes, case manager; De’Aundre Williams, program administrator; and Dana Bearden, program and services specialist are all equipped with expertise to help families in various situations through trauma-informed programs, Wagner noted.
“It gave me such great happiness to see familiar and new faces from our community at the luncheon,” Janes said. “We have really hit the ground running and are incredibly grateful for the collaborations we have already started and for the partnerships to come. I am overwhelmed with thankfulness as we officially open our office in Odessa and for the support from our community.”
Reyes, the first case manager hired for the Permian Basin office, is a native of Odessa.
“I am so honored to give back to my community in this way as the first case manager at MCH Family Outreach Permian Basin,” Reyes said. “Our efforts at MCH to serve really means a lot to our area and to me personally.”
Oakley said he is excited about future work that will be carried out by a “great mix of veteran staff members and those who are bringing in new energy and perspectives.”
“When all of these components come together around a shared mission, special things happen,” he said. “Countless children and families are going to be blessed because of the work we’re doing in the Permian Basin.”
For more information about the Permian Basin office and services offered, call Stephanie Janes at 432-614-1021 or email her at SJanes@MCH.org.
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