MIRACLE FARM
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2011 Annual Report • www.ChildrenAtHeartMinistries.org
iracle Farm isn’t the last stop for wayward boys and distraught parents. But by the time a boy arrives at our 325acre ranch near Brenham, there’s little doubt both boys and parents are pretty close to the end of the line. Communications have broken down, boys have become even more headstrong than is normal for teenagers, and parents often have spent a lot of time on their knees in prayer.
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We spent most of 2011 at full capacity, and opened an additional cottage that increased our capacity to 22. We expanded our service area in Texas and it has been encouraging to see that family involvement, a key component of our ministry, isn’t something that is limited to a 100mile radius of the Farm.
Miracle Farm Leadership: Don Forrester - President Alex Hamilton - Executive Director
Alex Hamilton, Executive Director
In looking at our Annual Report, you will note that the average length of time a boy stays at Miracle Farm was a full year in 2011, up from nine months in 2010. Boys and their parents are committing to the program for longer periods of time and Miracle Farm is willing to invest its resources in building permanent, lifelong change in young men. We know that staying committed to our boys until they are ready to move improves their chance of success in life. More great things are coming. In 2011, we expanded our vocational education program and it will grow exponentially as we prepare boys for life after Miracle Farm. We have laid the groundwork for an Independent Living Program for boys who want to continue their education at area schools, but still need the support system they relied on at the Farm.
Miracle Farm Board of Trustees: Gregg Appel, Chair - Brenham Mike Aldredge - Bellville Maury Dennis - College Station Ron Leps - Weir Diane Williams - Houston
So how long does it take to resolve the personal and family issues of a teenage boy before he becomes a young man of integrity and strength? How long before a light comes on inside an immature brain and a boy decides that there’s more to life than bad grades and a bad attitude? Our answer at Miracle Farm is “however long it takes,” thanks to a committed staff, parental involvement, willing volunteers, the boys themselves, a lot of prayer, generous donors, and our ability to meet the needs of teenagers in crisis.
Alex Hamilton
Miracle Farm 10802 FM 2621 Brenham, TX 77833 (979) 836-0901 Phone info@miraclefarm.org www.miraclefarm.org