EMPLOYEE SPOTLIGHT
SPIRITUAL GROWTH AT MCH A MESSAGE FROM THE CEO CHILDREN’S PROMISE ACT HONORARIUMS & MEMORIALS CIRCLE OF ANGELS DONOR CLUB
1 3 4 5 6 7 9 13
A Message from the CEO:
It has been a pleasure to lead MCH through 2024. I consider this the pinnacle of my career and am incredibly blessed to have an opportunity to work with amazing people on behalf of some terrific kids.
As we embark on 2025 and the years ahead, I am delighted to report the Board of Managers have developed a three-year strategic plan that will strengthen MCH’s ability to serve children and families in Mississippi. This plan will make MCH a more effective tool for Christ, while also prioritizing the care and support of our dedicated staff and foster families.
Among our objectives for 2025:
Dramatically increase recruitment and training of foster families who feel called to serve teenagers creating launch pads for teens in our care
Transition to a new level of care called Qualified Residential Treatment Programs (QRTPs), allowing us to provide the best evidence-based treatment modalities to our kids
Strengthen partnership with Mississippi’s Department of Child Protective Services to meet the needs of the state’s most vulnerable and traumatized teens
Enhance the self-care program for MCH staff who are the hands and feet of Christ as we serve our youth
Seek continued guidance and support from the Board of Managers as we prepare for MCH’s 130th anniversary in 2026.
Gretchen Cook
EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR: GRACE ROBINSON
Methodist Children’s Homes is proud to recognize Grace Robinson as the 2024 Employee of the Year Grace is a long-time Residential Advisor (RA) of 11 years! Our RAs work in the homes with the youth. Over the years, she has worked in every home on campus
When she came to Methodist Children’s Homes (MCH), she was excited to work with children and teenagers from Mississippi. She said “Every day is different when I come to work The youth are family My favorite part of being at MCH is getting to know the youth, their likes and dislikes, and sharing stories with them ”
As a RA, she has worked with youth with all kinds of stories from being neglected and unloved to being abused and forced to fend for themselves She recalled one boy who was from a broken home and did not have a relationship with his parents He wanted to succeed and he did. “He got his driver’s license and bought his own car while living at MCH ” Now he is living in Atlanta and working at a facility similar to MCH
Over the years she has seen God do a great work in the lives of the youth and the staff. Grace said, “With God, I provide better service and love to the youth. He provides me with strength to care for the youth, with the backgrounds they have ”
In 2024, MCH began awarding employees the Amazing Grace award, named after Grace Robinson. The award exemplifies a person who goes above and beyond in their work The staff look forward to
it, especially the RAs When she learned they had named an award after her, she was surprised and honored. Each month, one employee receives the award.
In January, MCH held an “Employee of the Year” service, which also honored Grace Robinson She said “I had no clue When I realized what was going on, I was overcome with emotion. Out of my 11 years, that was the first time I was recognized in the work that I have given back to MCH ”
One of the ways Ms Grace was honored at the Employee of the Year ceremony was by having a house named after her. She said that she felt humbled. She hopes that youth who live there are impacted in a positive way and feel the love that MCH has for them “
When the employee engagement committee met to go over the nominees, Grace’s name kept coming up…There was a moment where we all just knew. Grace embodies the mission The level of commitment and love extends beyond the home in which she works; she blesses everyone who comes in contact with her Simply put, Grace is special to all of us,” said Latoya Clark-Horne, COO.
Grace loves what she does and it is evident in the way she talks about being a RA She hopes that more people come to MCH “with an open mind, ready to serve our youth They’re good kids who have been through a lot in their lives.”
AUTHOR: Jordan Faison Communications Coordinator
Foster Parents
Methodist Children’s Homes has a licensed therapeutic Foster Care Program Have you ever wondered what becoming a foster parent looks like? A foster parent is someone who provides a stable and loving home for children from birth to the age of 21. To be a foster parent with Methodist Children’s Homes, you:
MUST:
Be 21 years or older
Be motivated and committed to work with fragile and traumatized children that have been diagnosed with emotional, mental or physical issues.
Be single, married or legally divorced
AND HAVE: Reliable telephone service and transportation.
Financial means to support a family. Completed all training requirements. Passed background and fingerprint checks.
Our Foster Care Team trains and equips foster parents. They provide support and resources for parents who participate in our program. Also, foster parents have the option to adopt the child they are fostering through our program.
If you're interested in providing a loving and supportive home for foster children, please contact our Foster Care Office at pkelly@mchms.org or call (601) 853-5000
To our Supporters
Methodist Children’s Homes of Mississippi is grateful for each and every one of you! Your support has helped us in fulfilling our mission of bringing hope and healing to the lives of the youth for whom we care. When youth come into our care, they become a part of our family, the Methodist Children’s Homes’ (MCH) family. You, as a supporter, of MCH are also part of our family.
The truth is we could not and cannot help our youth without you! You are a crucial member of the family in furthering our care for our youth. Because of you, we are able to provide counseling and programs for the betterment of the youth.
These programs and counseling sessions encourage our youth to pursue independence while they are at our Home. We teach them life skills that they will need later on in life like, cooking, driving, woodworking, and financial stability.
One of the best ways that our youth learn is by example. While Methodist Children’s Homes is currently financially stable, we want to continue to grow so that we can continue in the work that the Lord has called us to do.
Currently, the state of Mississippi contributes to approximately 72% of our operational budget. The rest of our budget comes from you! However, we
want to ask you to become a monthly supporter of Methodist Children’s Homes.
As a monthly supporter of MCH, you can know that more of your gift goes toward the youth in our family. You can also benefit from becoming a monthly supporter through receiving a tax credit in conjunction with the Children’s Promise Act. To learn more about Children’s Promise Act giving, see the next page!
As a monthly supporter of MCH, you can know that more of your gift goes toward our MCH youth. Your gift will also help us in opening more homes to care for more youth. We have served children and families for nearly 130 years. As a monthly supporter, you can ensure that will continue for the next 130 (+) years.
To become a monthly donor today, visit https://www.mchms.org/ways-togive/donate-now/ or scan the QR Code below!
Author: Jordan Faison Communications Coordinator
Children's Promise Act
The Mississippi Legislature passed the Children's Promise Tax Credit legislation for individuals and businesses who support organizations that work with Mississippi'sfosterchildren.
Methodist Children's Homes is a Qualified Foster Care Charitable Organization (QFCCO) and donations to our organizationareeligibleforthisdollarfordollarstatetax credits.
The allocation of the tax credit is done through the MS Department of Revenue and is on a first-come, first serve basis. Any amount of donation qualifies for this credit up to $1,200, for individuals giving jointly. Higher ratesapplytobusinesses.
Email Jordan Faison at jfaison@mchms.org if you would like to know more! You can also find more information onourwebsitemchms.orgunderWaystoGive.
Children's Promise Act Tax Credit
for a Charitable Contribution Tax Credit with the MS
Spiritual Growth at MCH
At the core of Methodist Children’s Homes’ mission is our faith in Jesus Christ. Our mission states “Through Jesus Christ, we seek to bring hope and healing to hurting children in Mississippi.” Methodist Children’s Homes (MCH) takes a holistic approach to caring for the children and youth who become part of the MCH family. This means that we want to help youth heal spiritually, mentally, and physically.
To help our children and youth heal spiritually, we have a campus pastor, Rigel Robinson, who counsels them in Biblical Truth. Each Sunday, he preaches sermons and has some of the youth help in leading the worship services.
Pastor Robinson also leads Discipleship classes. In 2024, we had seven youth participate in these classes. Several youth decided to accept Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior as they attended these classes.
Two youth accepted Christ and asked to be baptized. We held a baptismal service and baptized both youth in our campus pool. Each child was given a new Bible to celebrate becoming our brother and sister in the Kingdom of God.
Pastor Robinson leads Bible Study classes every Wednesday. A group of women from a local church lead a Bible Study for the girls every week too. They come to the girls’ houses and have a time of fellowship with them while teaching them Jesus’ love for all of us.
We cover our youth in prayer. We believe in the power of prayer and how the Lord uses it to mold us to be more like Christ. The MCH youth feel our prayers. Each staff member shares the love of Christ in their words and actions as we care for them.
We believe the Lord is our shepherd, our Wonderful Counselor, our great Physician. His love is so great for all of us. These are just a few of God’s characteristics that help us in loving the youth that He puts in our care.
God is doing a great work at MCH. He is making a difference in the lives of our youth. Would you join us as we pray for and care for our youth?
Author: Jordan Faison Communications Coordinator
Honorariums / Memorials
In Honor of
(Given 11/1/2024 - 2/28/2025)
Mike Ariano, Alvin Brent, Mr. & Mrs. Wayne Ferrell, Thad
McLaurin, Mr. & Mrs. Bill
Mitchell, Dr. Ramesh Patel, Mr. & Mrs. John Pittman, Dr. Rishi Roy, Mr. & Mrs. Rainer
Sautermeister, Mr. & Mrs.
Alan Tanguay, Mr. & Mrs.
Ronnie Tubertini
W. S. Pratt
Jasper Cael Branning
Rose Pitts
Ann & Bruce Bartling
Lowery & Susan Germany, Jane Leech, Alice Quimby
Letty Bieidenharn & Judy
Johnson
Britton Owen
Jack Bishop
Aldersgate SSC, Indianola FMC
Warren & Janis Black
Christine Fielder
Tommy & Susan Cardin
John & Wanda Regan
M. D. Cameron
Mac & Martha Lewis Curlee
Gretchen Cook
Kim Hoover
Becky Crawford
Fellowship SSC, Pathway Church, Baldwyn, MS
Betty Crawford
Wix & Bobbie Crawford,
Barbara Gibbons
David Gibbons
Mike & Cynthia Keith
Willie Bobo
In Honor of
In Memory of
(Given 11/1/2024 - 2/28/2025) (Given 11/1/2024 - 2/28/2025)
The Clay Leech Family, Jane M.
Leech, Sue Legan, The Robert
Quimby Family, Sally Sharlow, Dr. & Mrs. Pat Taylor, Mr. & Mrs. Steve
Yon
Ann & Bruce Bartling
Bob & Dana Lyle
James, Rebecca, & Brad Farris
Frankie Mitchell
Ross E. & Rebecca M. Henley
Lou W. Perritt
John E. Perritt
Robbie Sissell
Joy SSC, Senatobia Methodist Church
Sheryl Sloop
Jane Lee
Charlotte Taylor
Cliff Taylor
Melwood T. Trawick
Howard Trawick
Anna Walton
Harry & Sally Walton
Dale Warriner
Mac Curlee
Rev. Sarah Windham
Jerry & Helen Webb
Ellen Austin
Dwight Austin
Bobby Benson
Carla F. Benson
Louie Bevill
Jimmy & Martha Langley
Michael Bounds
S R & Linda Bounds
Mr. & Mrs. Smith Cade
Ray & Sara Powell
Edna Earle & Odell Carmichael
Nancy & Edward Nordan
Kenneth Cooley
Ruben Hernandez
Charlene Cotton
Jane Cotton Hanes
Frances Delmas
Monterey United Methodist
Women, Pearl, MS
Roy & Helen Doss
Derrell & Katrina Doss
Edwina Goodman
Will Goodman
Jim Henley
Ross E. & Rebecca M. Henley
Billy Hillhouse
Bobby & Faye Howell
Dorothy G Howell
Judy Dehart, Lyle & Leslie Wheeler
Ima Jean Hudson & Russell
Miller
Jerry & Shannon Miller
Diane Ivy
Marolyn Davison
Rev. George C. Jackson, Jr
Dorothy Clark Jackson
Kathryn Lancaster
William Lancaster
Honorariums / Memorials
In Memory of
(Given 11/1/2024 - 2/28/2025)
Walter and Dorothy Lance,
Angela Schrieffer, and Richard
& Helen Yordy
Mr. & Mrs. William R. Yordy
Bishop Clay F. Lee
Frank T. Laney, John R. Wright, Jr.,
Walt & Trudy Leuhlfing
Michael S. Leuhlfing
Erin Lovin
Harriett Wood
Michael Mapp
Patricia Mapp
Joyce McCay
Port Gibson UMC
Frances D. McDaniel
Beverly Clark
Eva P. McEwen & James L.
Pierce
Frances McEwen
Lourns & Levera Miller
Kenneth & Carol Miller, Shirley Miller
Dr. Don Mitchell
Dennis & Sandra Perkins
Amelia W. Mockbee
David & Kathleen Mockbee
Mary Iola Morgan Oglesby
Jane Cook
Herbert Morris
Ann Morris
Ransom & Frances Myers
Diane G. Gelvin
Rev. Kelly E. Pope
Tanya Brieger, Sidney & Trudy
McLaurin
In Memory of
(Given 11/1/2024 - 2/28/2025)
Jackie Povall
Steve & Jane Leech, and Ann & Bruce
Bartling
Shelia Puryear
Lamar Puryear
Mary Ana Reed
Ted & Nancy Skipper
Blue Reeves
Dr. Thomas & Joy Lester, John & Louise Hartlein, Carol Ann Carter
James W. “Billy” Roberson
Jeff Roberson
Greg Russum
Robert H. Bradford
Charles A. Shaw
Mr. & Mrs. Joe R. Moore
Joe Skinner
Betty Skinner
Junita Smith
The Smith Family
Lemuel & Virginia Tate
Leanne Tate George
Frances Walton Taylor
Martha Taylor Garrison
Rev. Harmon Tillman, Jr.
Nona K. Tillman
Mildred E. Viner
Stanley & Brigette Viner
Montez Knapp Weaver
Georgenia Burrus
Mr. & Mrs. Charlie White
Wonso Hayes
In Memory of
(Given 7/1/2024 - 10/31/2024)
Jackie Povall
Steve & Jane Leech
Shelia Puryear
Lamar Puryear
Blue Reeves
Dr. Thomas & Joy Lester, John &
Louise Hartlein, Carol Ann Carter
Charles A. Shaw
Mr. & Mrs. Joe R. Moore
Joe Skinner
Betty Skinner
Junita Smith
The Smith Family
Mildred E. Viner
Stanley & Brigette Viner
Montez Knapp Weaver
Georgenia Burrus
CIRCLE OF ANGELS CIRCLE OF ANGELS
CIRCLE OF ANGELS
Angels of Light
Gifts of $1,000 and above each year
Angels of Hope
Gifts of $500 - $999 each year
Angels of Healing
Gifts of $250 - $499 each year
Angels of Love
Gifts of $100 - $249 each year
In June 2024, we launched our donor club: Circle of Angels. Members of the club will be recognized in our newsletter. If you give $100 or more by the next publication, you will be publicly acknowledged and appreciated by Methodist Children’s Homes. Also, donors who give $5,000 or more will be permanent members of the club.
*Note: The publication reflects the donors who gave from January 1, 2024 - February 28, 2025
Become a member now:
Circle of Angels Donor Club Circle of Angels Donor Club
Angels of Love Angels of Healing Angels of Hope Angels of Light
Joe and Betty Sue Adams
Walter Allred
Nila Anderson
Greg & Rhonda Arnold
Bob Atkins
Dwight Austin
Phillip J. Bailey
Bonnie Baldwin
Dean Belk
Cathy Bell
S. R. Bounds
Deborah Bracey
Ann Britt
Suzanne Britt
C. F. Brittenum
Martha Brumfield
John & Betty Cadwallader
Paul Cate
James & Norma Caviness
Frank Chiles
Beverly Clark
Richard Clark
Robert Coker
Phaedre Cole
John & Barbara Collier
Vicki Conerly
Gretchen Cook
Katie Cox
Helen Craig
Susan & Ted Craig
Thomas Cumberland
Christine Cunningham
Thomas Daughdrill
Kathy Davis
Ronald Denley
Hill & Judy Denson
Henry Drake
Donald Dunagan
Ashley & Gaye Atikinson
William Ayers
Douglas & Edna Beard
Leslie & Joel Bobo
Willie Bobo
Hugh Boone
Florence Box
Mae Bozeman
Jay Brantley
Gregory Butler
Mike Byrd
Thomas Cain
Wayne Carson
Shay Caviness
Wilkins & Barbara Crawford
Sherri Davis
Gail Derryberry
Melissa Eatherly
Thomas Evans
James Farris
Gail Fulton
Donald Gee
Judy Goddard
Kirk & Susan Graves
Heyward and Carolyn Green
Janet Harris
Mona Harrison
Linda Hatch
John Hawkins
Richard & Lucy Henley
John & Joy Ann Hennessey
Kenneth & Leann Hines
Robert Lawson Holladay
Kim Hoover
John Hudson
James W. Hunt, Jr.
Bobby M. James
Ann Bryan Jameson
Lisa Agent
Brian Bennett
Walter Blain
Rebecca Boswell
Stephanie Brantley
Betty Jane Chatham
Jane Cook
Joe Cox Jr.
Julian Crawford
John Mac & Martha Curlee
Donald Dodd
Michael Easterling
Kate Eddy
Christine D. Fielder
Will S. Henley, II
Waldo Hitt
Thomas Holderer
Kim Hoover
William Earl Hunt
Audrey Litchliter
Joelyn Miller
Osler Moore
Daniel Murphy
Kathy Nye
Alfred Pace
Joan Pepper
Lamar Puryear
Claude Raworth
William Rhodes
James & Ruby Simpson
Jerry Skipper
Carrie Smith
Janice Spence
Harry Spooner
Guy Stephenson
Valerie Sullivan
Michael Summerford
James Tansey
Michael & Sarah Adcock
Kathryn Anne Arant
H Ashcraft
Donna Kaye Armshaw
Elena Barham
Bruce & Ann Bartling
Deborah Bennett
Rebecca Boswell
Lucien Bourgeois
Robert Bradford
Belle Buckley
Jean Burton
Eugene Buzderewicz
Betsy Clarke
Gloria Cranford
Elizabeth Daniels
Marolyn Davison
Jeremy & Carley Dear
William Dunn
Celeste Ellis
Elizabeth Fisackerly
Greg Freeman
Don Garforth
John & Robin Gourley
Albert Green
Glenn Harmon
Rickey Haynes
Ross Henley
Frank Hensley
Ken Hodges
George Huffman
Jared Johnson
Barbara Keenum
Herbert King
Christina Lakey
John & Stephanie Land
Jane Leech
Mark Lehman
(Continued on next page) (Continued on next page) (Continued on next page) (Continued on next page)
Circle of Angels Donor Club Circle of Angels Donor Club
Angels of Love Angels of Healing Angels of Hope Angels of Light
Eugene Elmore
John & Karen Evans
Joe Ferguson
Dora Findley
Sandra Fowler
Hank & Michele Franklin
Bradley Freeny
Rita French
Martha Garrison
Diane Gelvin
Leanne George
Keith Godbold
William Goodman
Bill Gray
Dale & Brenda Green
Kathy Green
Cecil Grisham
Carl Grubbs
Jane Hanes
Charlotte B. Harding
Cecil Harper
Jack Harris
William J. Hays, II
Lacey Hedgepeth
Sherrill Heidelberg
Kathryn Henderson
Thomas Henderson
John Hennessey
Ruben Hernandez
Michael & Lisa Hicks
Kay Risher Hill
Kathy Hilton
Donna Hinton
B. T. & Lendy Holder
Cristyn Holder
Bobby & Faye Howell Bobby
Howell
Ben Jones
William & Sandra Jones
Dolphus Kelly
Susan Lauderdale
Cynthia Lauderdale
Clayton Leech
Devon & Jacquline Loggins
K Long
Larry Marett
Joe R. Moore
Mary Moore
W. C. Murphy
Ethel Nunnery
Brooks Odom
Stacy Parvin
Edith Perry
Dorothy Phillips
Bill and Nora Pierce
Wanda Regan
William Rhodes
Betty Riley
Gwen Ross
Frances Savage
Rita Selvaggi
George Shumaker
Jackie Smith
Gary and Lisa Smith
Lyndall Snyder
Jerry Sullivan
Granville Tate
Donald Taylor
Marcus Treadway
Earnestine Turner
Todd and Debra Vaughan
William Waddell
T. W. Waller
Terrie & Sidney Whitehurst
Robert Wilkins
Joy Wright
Peter Hubbard (Continued on next page) (Continued on next page)
Carol & Clifton Taylor
Jameson Taylor
Allen Terrell
Marion Towery
Catherine Tramel
Marc & Ellen Treadway
Bonnie Turner
Cynthia Ware
W. Dal Williamson
John Wright
William Yordy
Abner Young
Thomas G Lilly
Marvin Lishman
Robert Logan
Bryan Lott
Dana Lyle
James Mason
James & Paula McCaleb
Frances McEwen
Rosemary McInnis
Robert & Marcella McKay
James & Joann McRae
Michael McSparrin
Chuck Meador
David Morris
Shane & Theresa Ormon
Thomas & Wilda Phillips
William & Exie Pratt
Edwin Sallis
Elizabeth Sistrunk
Gary & Lisa Smith
Christian Taylor
Joyce Titus
J. Murray & Sandra
Underwood
Kyle & Karen Wagner
Mark & Carolyn Wakefield
Robert Warner
Randall & Marcia West
Betty Williams
Edwin Windham
Allen & Charlene Wood
Allison Youngblood
Steven & Christine Zachow
Angels of Love
Kalena Hunley
Jimmy & Linda Huntley
Linda Hutchison
John Morgan Hughes
Melody Ivy
Otis Johnson
Jane Jones
Kim Jones
Martha Jones
Sandra & Rex Jones
Joanne Keeton
Susan Keith
Albert & Sherry King III
Ann & Paul King
Brenda Knight
Danny Knight
Robert Knight
Judy Lacy
Elaine & Larry Lambert
John Lancaster
Elizabeth Lauderdale
Michael Lloyd
Mary Lowery
Michael Luehlfing
Joe Magee
Michael Mapp
Doris McCullen
Trudy McLaurin
William McMahon
John C. McNair
Jerry & Shannon Miller
Shirley Miller
Tessa Minchew
David Mockbee
Circle of Angels Donor Club Circle of Angels Donor Club
Rex Morgan
David & Sara Morrow
Hong Nguyen
Patsy Oakes
James Oaks
Charlotte Odom
Jim Ormon
Leslie Ortego
Edwin Parker
William Peddicord
Jonathan Pennington
Dennis & Sandra Perkins
John Perritt
George Pickett
Joe Posey
Barbara & Barry Powell
Ray Powell
Susan Puckett
Jan Randle
Karen Redhead
Bobby & Rebecca Reed
Irl Rhodes
Cary & Linda Rickman
Belinda & G. Allen Roark
Jeanni Robertson
Diana Rotenberry
Carole Rucker
William Rutherford
Joe Rutkowski
Jasmine Shipp
Steve Shirley
Lillous F. Shoemaker
Cathy Sibley
Thomas Simpson
Betty Skinner
Merril Slater
Angie Shelton Smith
Shelia C. Smith
Ron Stephens
J. D. Stephenson
Leon Stewart
Gary Stone
Jean Stout
J. Ken Stringer
John Sullivan
George Taquino
Cliff Taylor
Helen Tenhet
Morris Thigpen
James E. Thomas
Clifford C. Thompson
Harmon & Nona Tillman
Janet Tissue
Duane & Elizabeth Tucker
Kelly Tucker
Todd Underwood
John Vickers
Stan Viner
Carol Walker
Kevin Walters
Sally Walton
Carol Williams
Bonnie Weatherly
Linda Weatherly
Jerry W. Webb
Walter S. Weems
Christy White
Julian Wiener
Jackie Wilson
Marcie Wilson
Lyle B. Woodmansee
James E. Woods
Sid L. Worthy
Craig York
Dan Young
William Moore Finished
Peggy Youngblood
Connect
TO OUR FAITHFUL SUPPORTERS FROM OUR PARTNERING CHURCHES,
Methodist Children’s Homes is grateful for each of supporters and partnerships. We want to strengthen our relationships with all of our donors. Our goal is to provide hope and healing to the children of Mississippi through Jesus Christ and we cannot do that without you! You are a crucial to the success of MCH.
WAYS TO STAY CONNECTED TO MCH...
Invite us to speak! We would honored to speak to your church, church groups, clubs, and schools. Every opportunity we have to talk about the ministry of Methodist Children’s Homes and what the Lord is doing in the lives of the youth we serve is truly exciting and special to us!
Donate! Giving to Methodist Children’s Homes is giving hope and healing to children and youth who are in foster care. You can help MCH in caring for our youth by donating today. You can can also help fundraise and donate items such as hygiene products, towels and wash clothes, school supplies, and more!
Follow us on social media!
805 N Flag Chapel Road
Jackson, MS 39209