MCH Leadership Share About Community-Based Care
Marissa Smith, assistant vice president for programs at MCH, co-presented with Andrea Zimmerman, program director for Families & Foster Care Coalition – Heart of Texas Goodwill Industries, about Community-Based Care (CBC) during a Light on Legislature community meeting hosted by McLennan County Talks. The organization’s goal is to grow positive, productive civic engagement and a well-informed voter base in McLennan County by offering regular opportunities for non-partisan conversation about issues that impact Waco and McLennan County. Smith and Zimmerman shared ways citizens can participate in the transition to CBC. They also highlighted and provided resources to track current bills before the Texas Legislature related to child welfare. Several MCH leadership and staff members also attended and engaged in further discussion with community members.
Staff Earn TBRI Practitioner Status In North Carolina
MCH proudly serves as a Trust-Based Relational Intervention (TBRI) Ambassador organization, with many staff and leaders trained to teach and incorporate TBRI into their daily work with children, youth and families. Recently, Tim Price, director of outdoor education and recreation, Enos Peniston, Waco campus residential supervisor and Sarah Dodds, Waco campus residential case manager, completed the extensive two-phase TBRI Practitioner training, supported throughout the process by John Warren, community engagement and training specialist. As certified TBRI Practitioners, they are now equipped to train fellow staff in trauma-informed techniques.
“The TBRI Practitioner Training was a truly remarkable experience that deepened my understanding of trauma-informed care,” Peniston said. “The ten-week online portion was thoughtfully designed, delivering clear, engaging content that built a strong foundation ahead of the in-person training in North Carolina. The trainers deliberately modeled TBRI principles – empowering, connecting and correcting – in their interactions with us. Their approach was powerful and showed the best way to teach TBRI is to live it, which encouraged me to self-reflect. The training left me inspired to apply TBRI principles in every aspect of my work.”
Dodds reflected on how the training offered both professional and personal growth. “I took another look at myself and considered my own attachment styles as an infant, child and adult,” Dodds said. “The more we know about ourselves, the better equipped we are to serve children, youth and families. During the TBRI Practitioner training, I learned more regulation strategies that I hope to use with the youth I serve. I am more determined to create an environment where our residents have more choices and can rebuild their physical and mental health. I am very grateful for the opportunity to serve as a TBRI Practitioner!”
Throughout the weeklong in-person training, participants gained more insight from lectures and gained connections with others from across the country in breakout groups.
“I feel very fortunate to have gone through and completed the TBRI Practitioner training,” Price said. “I was able to meet and network with many other child care professionals. We learned more about the root concepts that shape our trauma-informed ministry-work at MCH. It was an incredible experience and I look forward to further equipping fellow staff and community members to serve in this way.”
Students Participate In “Reality Check”
Charter school students on the Waco campus participated in the bi-annual “Reality Check” event in March. Freshmen through seniors learned how to budget their monthly income based on the future careers they selected. Students were also tasked with managing real-life expenses like medical emergencies, housing, groceries, and childcare. Various MCH staff guided students through the event, as well as partners Kelly Realtors and SWBC Mortgage, Crossroads Creative Learning, Community Bank & Trust, H-E-B, Douglass Subaru, and EOAC Head Start and Early Head Start. Cortney Richardson, student events and volunteer supervisor, said the event “provides a fun and safe environment where our community rallies around our youth by volunteering their expertise and empowering our students in their ability to possibly buy a home one day, earn a dream job and see their hard work pay off.”
Bulldogs Track Team Breaks Records
The MCH track team delivered standout performances throughout the season. During the meet in Riesel, Londen, a junior, won the 100m and 200m races in the varsity boys division, shattering MCH records and setting personal bests in both events. During the meet in Keene, Texas, Londen, Saniya, a sophomore, and Deja, an eighth grader, each earned medals for their performances. “We are proud of our teams and the progress we continue to make together,” said Sarah Arocha, director of athletics. “Athletics provides special opportunities to further empower our youths’ growth and confidence.”
Alumni Return For Annual Homecoming
The Methodist Children’s Home Alumni Association celebrated its 104th Homecoming in Waco over Easter weekend! What began in 1921 has grown into a longstanding annual tradition. Activities included a craft sale, auction, Easter egg hunt, special dinners, a memorial tribute, a tour of the Embry Vocational Building, and a ministry update from MCH President & CEO Trey Oakley. The weekend concluded with Easter Sunday worship in Harrell Memorial Chapel, followed by
a traditional luncheon.
Joe Mitchell (MCH resident 1985–1996), now principal at Goodnight Middle School in San Marcos CISD, received this year’s Distinguished Alumni award. Tim Price, director of outdoor education and recreation at MCH, received this year’s Distinguished Staff award.
MCH Raises Awareness For Child Abuse Prevention Month
Throughout April, Methodist Children’s Home (MCH) staff and community partners across Texas and New Mexico came together to raise awareness for Child Abuse Prevention Month. From pinwheel plantings to educational events and community gatherings, MCH locations found meaningful ways to highlight the importance of child safety and well-being.
Staff members across our service area participated in Go Blue Day, on Friday, April 4, wearing blue—the color of prevention—to show solidarity in the fight against child abuse. Partner organizations, churches, and volunteers joined MCH in planting pinwheel gardens, a national symbol representing the joyful childhoods all children deserve.
In Lubbock, Family Outreach partnered with Lubbock Christian University’s Social Work department to plant pinwheels on campus, distribute awareness materials and engage students in meaningful dialogue about child abuse prevention. The Dallas Outreach team collaborated with the God’s Squad Children’s Ministry at First United Methodist Church of Richardson to create a pinwheel garden, reinforcing the church’s commitment to child safety.
Our Las Cruces team planted pinwheels at the Beehive Education Learning Center’s three daycare locations, ensuring even the youngest community members had the opportunity to participate in the conversation about child abuse prevention. In Bryan-College Station, families gathered for the annual Child Abuse Awareness Spring Bash, which featured community resource vendors, family-friendly activities, and an Easter egg hunt.
Meanwhile, in the Permian Basin, MCH staff braved the heat at the Party in the Parking Lot, a vibrant community event featuring games, food, music, and advocacy efforts. Team members provided educational materials, engaged families with activities, and distributed pinwheels as a symbol of hope.
These are just a few of the efforts MCH teams took throughout April across Texas and New Mexico, reflecting an ongoing commitment to creating safe environments for children, youth and families. Thank you to all who participated in making this month a powerful reminder that together, we can help prevent child abuse and build a brighter future for every child.
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