FROM THE PRESIDENT

As a friend of Methodist Children’s Home, I am sure you heard in recent years about this ministry’s goal to serve 1,000 at-risk children and youth each day. I am excited to tell you that we achieved this goal in April.

Finding at-risk children and youth who need to discover the hope that is offered through this ministry has never been, nor will it be, difficult to do. As I told our staff, we can pick any spot on a Texas or New Mexico map and identify communities where at-risk children need our services. Unfortunately, in those same locations, we can identify government and faith-based agencies that are closing their doors or cutting services due to a lack of funding.

As we consider opportunities to expand the scope of this ministry, we are diligent in our research to identify locations where our program can flourish and impact the largest number of children in the most cost effective way. We are blessed to have faithful benefactors whose support enables our expansion plans to become a reality. The current issue of Sunshine features our annual Circle of Friends recognition. This list identifies individuals, churches and foundations who helped the Home increase funding again this year. Methodist Children’s Home would not be able to offer hope to at-risk children without this support, along with the contributions of past supporters who designated gifts from their estate to strengthen our permanent endowment.

The Home’s financial and physical resources enabled us to answer the call in April when the state sought support for children from the YFZ Ranch in Eldorado. We were able to immediately hire additional staff to serve more than 40 of these children, purchase new beds and mattresses, renovate a building to house the children, plan daily meals and organize activities. While the situation at the YFZ Ranch has captured the nation’s attention, caring for children in need is nothing new for this ministry. We serve children every day who have experienced abuse, neglect, violence, the result of poor choices and hopelessness prior to coming to Methodist Children’s Home.

Thank you for supporting this ministry. In busy times like these, when we are accomplishing so much for children, I am reminded of how special the Home is and how it truly offers hope through a nurturing, Christian community. I promise you that MCH will continue to work tirelessly to fulfill its mission to children, regardless of the circumstances that bring them to us. Thank you for empowering me to fulfill this promise.

For His Children,

Bobby Gilliam