Bulldogs State Track Champions
On April 27, the MCH track and field team made history at the Texas Christian Athletic Fellowship State Track & Field meet in Springtown, Texas, with the boys team finishing first overall and taking home their second consecutive Men’s Championship Award. The girls team finished third and combined (boys and girls totals), the Bulldogs finished second, all historical wins for MCH.
“It was a great team effort with every person playing a part and many student-athletes setting personal bests,” said Matt Rodgers, MCH athletics director.
Darrell Williams, athletics coordinator, added the team was committed to their success.
“We set our eyes on another state championship after we won our first last year,” he said. “Our team stayed focused and persevered throughout the season and we’re so happy to have achieved our goal.”
The caring, trauma-informed coaching staff at MCH teach student-athletes about teamwork and encourage them to flourish in healthy competition. These unforgettable memories offer hope to youth as they experience life to the fullest.
Open House And Ribbon-Cutting in the Permian Basin
MCH Family Outreach in the Permian Basin hosted an open house and ribbon-cutting ceremony in February. The team at the new location at 706 Adams Avenue in Odessa welcomed guests from the community and introduced services that empower children, youth and families in the greater-Permian Basin area.
Staff gave tours of the new office space and offered refreshments to community partners during the open house event. The Odessa Chamber of Commerce facilitated the ribbon-cutting.
“The support from our partners and the Odessa Chamber of Commerce has been very encouraging,” said Stephanie Janes, director of MCH Family Outreach in the Permian Basin. “We have been working hard to help the families in our care and look forward to expanding our services even more in this area.”
The services offered are designed to help meet the needs of families with one or more children between the ages of 0 to 17.
“The team serving this region is doing incredible work,” said Traci Wagner, vice president for programs. “It’s always wonderful when clients, staff, stakeholders, and other community members come together. This event is a picture of the caring environment the team here has created and of the welcoming spirit and generosity of the Permian Basin region.”
Employee Service Awards
On February 28, MCH staff gathered in the Harrell Memorial Chapel and online to celebrate 37 employees, who together total more than 460 years of service to the ministry.
Employees recognized had reached 5, 10, 15, 20, and 25 years of service, along with Denise Ondrey who celebrated 40 years of service.
Alumni Homecoming
The Methodist Children’s Home Alumni Association (MCHAA) gathered in Waco Easter weekend to celebrate its annual homecoming reunion. Activities included an annual craft sale, auction, Easter egg hunt, special dinners, a time to honor alumni who died since the last gathering, and a ministry report from MCH President and CEO Trey Oakley. Alumni and their families concluded the weekend with a traditional Easter luncheon.
The Association honored Jimmy Ray Hammond, MCH resident from 1989-1993, with the Distinguished Alumni of the Year award. Hammond, a U.S. Army veteran, also served as a home parent at MCH with his wife, Mary. He currently is an educator and was recognized as the Killeen High School Teacher of the Year for 2023-24.
Bridgette Johnson, school support specialist and MCH alumna, received the Distinguished Staff of the Year award. Johnson has served in several roles at MCH since 2005, and draws upon her experience living at MCH as a youth to help encourage young people to strive to reach their full potential.
Family Outreach Joins Irving Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
MCH leadership, staff and other community members gathered for a ribbon-cutting ceremony on April 3 at the MCH office located at 8820 N. MacArthur Blvd., Suite 102 in Irving, Texas. Staff also shared about programs and services with neighbor organizations, churches and Chamber members.
“We are honored to be part of the Irving Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and hope this partnership will further expand our team’s connections in the greater Dallas area,” said Tiffany Gonzales, director of MCH Family Outreach Dallas. “We will be able to empower more children and families in our communities with the Chamber’s help.”
MCH Staff Attend Every Victim, Every Time Conference
MCH Family Outreach and admissions staff represented the organization at the annual two-day Every Victim, Every Time Conference in Bryan, Texas, in April. The mission of the conference is to provide quality, low-cost training to law enforcement, social work and medical agencies responding to victims of violent crime. Jessycah Smith Carroll, director of MCH Family Outreach Bryan, Ana Martinez, director of MCH Family Outreach Houston, and Zhari Cooper, admissions coordinator, shared about programs and services at the MCH booth.
Residents and Staff Watch Total Solar Eclipse
On April 8, a rare solar eclipse made its way across the United States, with Waco, Texas, in the path of totality. Youth and young adults in the MCH residential and Transition Services programs had a great seat for the historical and highly-anticipated cosmic event. The MCH Student Activities team opened the snack bar and handed out NASA-approved solar-viewing glasses to staff and youth gathered at the Heritage Park football field to watch the eclipse.
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