MCH stories

Allan: A Bright Future Ahead

June 4, 2025

By Allison Hamby Allen “One must work and dare if one really wants to live.” — Vincent Van Gogh At just 14, Allan left his home in Guatemala, where he had lived with his mother and brothers, speaking only Spanish. Born in the United States, he returned to Guatemala as an infant but made the […]

Spring 2025 News & Notes

June 4, 2025

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 […]

Conference Season In Full Swing for MCH

October 18, 2024

The fall is typically a busy conference season for Methodist Children’s Home and many partner agencies in our industry. MCH staff have attended a variety of conferences this year to collaborate on best practices, discuss emerging industry trends, and provide instruction on topics such as leadership, evidence-informed programming and trauma-informed care. Traci Wagner, vice president […]

Paths of Resilience

October 18, 2024

18. It is the age a person is considered an adult. Many young people are thrust into “the real world” after they turn 18, and expected to figure out life on their own “because they are adults.” The journey forward in life does not come with an easy and exact formula for success or happiness. […]

TBRI at MCH: The Past, The Present and The Future

October 18, 2024

Trust-Based Relational Intervention (TBRI) is an integral part of Methodist Children’s Home. From the services provided to children, youth and families to the trainings developed and presented to staff, MCH is dedicated to making TBRI practices easy to learn and implement in everyday life. Created by the Karyn Purvis Institute of Child Development at Texas […]

Summer at MCH

October 18, 2024

Summer 2024 was full of fun, fellowship and growth at Methodist Children’s Home. Family Outreach staff educated and supported families with a variety of events, gatherings and services in our 14 communities across Texas and New Mexico. A group of Waco campus residents experienced a faith formation camp at Glen Lake Camp & Retreat Center […]

Youth Profile: Kristopher – From Anger to Aspiration

October 18, 2024

At just 17-years-old, Kristopher has already experienced a lifetime of challenges and transformations. Leaving his home in Dallas, where he was one of nine siblings, he arrived at Methodist Children’s Home (MCH) in September 2022 seeking a fresh start. Reflecting on his past, Kristopher openly discusses the circumstances that led to his decision to seek […]

Summer 2024 Advancement News

October 18, 2024

MCH Celebrates $500K Day Success On July 11, the Department for Advancement held its annual $500K Day fundraiser, a one-day online matching gift challenge. Thanks to our generous partners, donations were doubled and MCH raised $541,542.37 from 559 gifts through this year’s campaign. Every dollar raised covers direct care costs. Kelly Lawson, advancement administrator, said, […]

A Vision Fulfilled

October 18, 2024

In Fall 2023, Methodist Children’s Home (MCH) announced a new program launching at the MCH Boys Ranch in early 2024. This residential care program is tailored to meet the unique emotional and behavioral challenges of youth with higher-level, specialized needs. MCH is able to support Boys Ranch residents and their families while in care, and […]

Summer 2024 News & Notes

October 18, 2024

MARISSA SMITH NAMED ASSISTANT VICE PRESIDENT FOR PROGRAMS After a national search to fill the position of assistant vice president for programs, Marissa Smith was named to the role effective July 1. Smith joined MCH Family Outreach in 2017 and has served as case manager, director, and most recently, program administrator in which she provided […]