Ilse, a 19-year-old student at McLennan Community College (MCC), is studying to be a nurse. With a heart for serving others and with the support she is receiving through the Independent Living Program at Methodist Children’s Home (MCH), Ilse looks toward the future with excitement.
Ilse first came to MCH when she was 16 after moving around a lot as a child growing up in foster care.
“I was in foster care and had lived in several places,” she said. “When I first got to MCH, I thought it was going to be bad. It was way different at MCH. MCH means a lot to me because this place is like a family. Someone is always helping you.”
Ilse played on the volleyball team as a resident on the MCH Waco campus and was active in other student activities. She graduated from the University of Texas – UT Charter School in 2023 and enrolled in the Independent Living Program (ILP). When she finishes at MCC, she plans to transfer to a larger university to continue her studies.
“I love nursing and ever since I was a little girl I’ve always wanted to help other people,” Ilse said. “I enjoy helping others, so I think nursing is a good career for me.”
In addition to being a student, Ilse works full-time at a local nursing home. Her supervisors support her in her education, offering flexibility in scheduling as she works towards her long-term goals. This summer, Ilse looks forward to an opportunity she has been given to work in the intensive care unit of a local hospital.
Ilse’s ILP case manager, Crystal Vela, said Ilse is very goal-oriented. Vela is confident Ilse will continue to be successful in her studies.
“When Ilse first came here, she was very driven to meet all of her goals,” Vela said. “She worked very hard and everything started falling into place for her. One month after being at MCH she talked about wanting a car. So, she enrolled in driver’s-ed. classes while living on the Waco campus, learned to drive and got a car.”
Ilse enjoys living on her own and is learning what it means to become more independent. She receives support from her case manager and other MCH staff through regular meetings and check-ins. When Ilse first joined ILP, she lived in one of the three homes on the Waco campus designated for recent MCH high school graduates. Now, she lives in an ILP apartment complex in downtown Waco designed to help young people take an additional step into independence.
“Honestly, it was hard at the beginning because it is a big transition,” she confessed. “But I have a staff that helps me a lot and they give me a lot of advice. My case manager helps me and I’m learning to become an adult.
“Something I’m enjoying about living on my own is learning how to cook,” she added. “I love cooking and it feels really good to have a space to call my own.”
Ilse’s faith in God also guides her and has been a constant in her life. Her relationship with the Lord has deepened since coming to MCH. While she has had her share of difficult times, she said she has trusted God through it all.
“I have had faith in God since I was a little girl,” Ilse said. “When I came to MCH, I really felt God’s love. Now, I still pray and read the Bible and seek God.”
Ilse has been an encouragement to other MCH youth, sometimes even without knowing. Vela said before Ilse left the Waco campus to move into her own apartment, there was one younger resident who was particularly sad about Ilse leaving. When she moved, Ilse said goodbye to her and offered words of encouragement.
According to Vela, Ilse’s encouragement has motivated the resident to work diligently and she has set goals to move into her own apartment like Ilse has done.
“Ilse is incredibly smart and has a very bright future ahead,” Vela said. “I’m very proud of her.”
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