Cesar: Finding Opportunity

By Shannon McCuaig

Cesar’s journey with Methodist Children’s Home (MCH) began when he was 13. Growing up in Houston, his family sometimes struggled to provide for their basic needs. His older brother had previously spent some time at MCH, and told Cesar that if he really wanted opportunity, MCH was the place to find it.

At first, Cesar was nervous about making the move. “Everything was going through my mind. I didn’t know how I was going to react being that far away from my family,” he said. Looking back, Cesar now believes the experience strengthened his family relationships.

At MCH, Cesar found the opportunities his brother had promised. It started with having his basic needs met. “When I was living on campus as a resident I had a lot of food options; I was full every day, which was actually new to me,” Cesar recalled. Over time, Cesar realized the more effort he put in, the more he got in return. “When I started putting in more effort, I got a whole lot more than I expected,” he said.

After graduating from the high school located on the Waco campus, Cesar moved into the Transition Services (TS) and Independent Living Programs (ILP). Today, at 19 years old, he lives at Clay Commons, an apartment complex owned by MCH. He is employed full-time and attends McLennan Community College, where he is pursuing a degree in accounting.

“I never would have thought college was an option for me,” Cesar said.

Crystal Vela, Cesar’s TS case manager, praised his hard work and commitment to success. “He takes full advantage of the scholarships he has received. He currently has a GPA of 4.0, and is diligently working to maintain it,” she said.

Vela also admires Cesar’s determination and the urgency with which he handles his responsibilities. “He gets things done before they’re even due!” she said. Currently, her focus is helping Cesar learn balance. She reminds him of the importance of taking time for himself and doing things he enjoys.

One of Cesar’s favorite activities is working out. “It helps me physically and mentally, and keeps me in a good position,” he said. Additionally, Cesar and his friends enjoy working on cars together.

“If one of us has a problem with our car, we get together and work on it,” Cesar explained. He saved to buy his own car, and is currently saving again to buy something a little more reliable.

The Independent Living Program is all about giving young adults the skills they need to be independent. “I have to take care of a lot of things like car maintenance, cleaning, cooking for myself, and keeping things up to date,” Cesar said.

Cesar credits his relationships with MCH staff for helping him become a Christian. “I didn’t believe in God because of the situation I was in,” he said. “But they helped me understand what being a Christian really is, and that opened my eyes and persuaded me.”

Crystal loves working with ILP clients. “It is heartwarming to see where they come from and how they grow,” she said.

Cesar and Vela have big plans. Cesar hopes to eventually transfer to a larger university to continue his studies in accounting. Vela has no doubt he will succeed. “I look forward to the day Cesar graduates and is able to give back,” she said. “I know he would.”

Cesar is filled with gratitude for the opportunities he has found at MCH. He is grateful to his dad for sending him to MCH, and he is grateful for all who play a part in the mission of MCH. “They changed my whole life; they changed my career; they changed everything.”