MCH Hosts Together We Flourish Luncheon in Abilene

Methodist Children’s Home hosted a luncheon in April to share about the ministry and services with the greater Abilene community. More than 150 people attended, representing agencies, community organizations and churches throughout the Big Country region.

MCH President and CEO Trey Oakley spoke about the culture of MCH and how collaborating with like-minded organizations leads to flourishing for all.

“I hope you look around and see we are in this together and you are not alone,” he said. “At the end of the day, this is about extending and deepening our impact together for the families who need us.”

BrieAnna Vine, director of MCH Family Outreach in Abilene, shared about the full continuum of care she and her teams provide at no cost to the community.

“MCH has the best tools to help children, youth and families,” she said. “Our best resource is the team we have who walks through the trenches and hard seasons with those we serve.”
Vine expressed gratitude to be part of the extensive “network of helping hands” in Abilene.

“I know there are others we can count on if our team needs to refer a family for other services,” she said. “Our hope is that MCH Family Outreach is your first call when you come across a family in need.”

The Abilene staff provides preventative and trauma-informed services, including a combination of individual and family services, case management and advocacy to help families meet their needs. Programs include foster care, counseling services, parent education, support for grandparents and caregivers who care for children in the absence of parents, and after-care for young adults aging out of the foster care system or alternative placement.

Family Outreach staff also welcome and encourage opportunities to train staff at churches, schools and other organizations about TBRI (Trust-Based Relational Intervention) and other trauma-informed care.

“We are blessed as a TBRI Ambassador Organization to share about trauma-informed care with our partners, further extending hope and healing for many more children, youth and families across Texas and New Mexico,” Vine said.