Children At Heart Ministries Newsletter Vol. 8, No. 2 - Mar/Apr 2014
A Time to Dance
Inside:
TBCH 他 Dance, Dance, Dance Page 3 Gracewood 他 A Song for Life Page 4 STARRY 他 Just Get to Know Me Page 5 Miracle Farm 他 The Days Between Page 6
Stories of Lives You Have Helped Change
Who Are You Playing For?
O
ur annual Children At Heart Golf Marathon is coming up April 28th. It will be the 22nd Golf Marathon, featuring 72 golfers playing 100 holes of golf in a single day, all benefitting the children and families of four great ministries – Texas Baptist Children’s Home, STARRY, Miracle Farm and Gracewood. But, that’s not the point of this article even though it is important. Have you seen the video on our Golf Marathon website promoting the marathon? It is inspirational! If you want to see it for yourself, you will find it at: www.CAHM.org/ GolfMarathon2014. It starts off, “When you are somebody’s hero, they are always watching.” Do you realize that there are always people watching you? Your children, grandchildren, a neighbor, a co-worker, your spouse, your boss – all want to see what you do, what is important to you, how you react, maybe even how you don’t react. The golf video describes a young boy watching his dad, learning everything he can from him, mimicking what he does – how he eats, how he brushes his teeth and how he throws a baseball. The dad is hoping that one day the boy will grow up to be a lot like him. As you continue to watch the video, the dad loads his golf clubs in his SUV, waves to the boy and drives off to play a round of golf. The boy waves back with the look of anticipation on his face that one day he too will play golf – just like his dad. The video ends with, “Who are you playing for?”
Vol. 8, No. 2 Mar/Apr 2014 Published for friends of
1301 N Mays Round Rock TX 78664 (512) 255-3668 ChildrenAtHeartMinistries.org
Bill Martin Director of Communications Danna Reeves Graphic Designer Ginger Swann Communications Coordinator Haley Smith Jeannie Rodriguez Allison Zander Contributing Writers ©2014 Children At Heart Ministries Printing by Sunset Press, Inc.
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Gratefully,
Todd L. Roberson, President/CEO www.ChildrenAtHeartMinistries.org
Home, Hope and Healing
Communications Office
On the cover: Terrance Carson of TBCH. Photo by Dwayne Hills (Dhills Photography)
It reminds me of all the children who come through Gracewood, Miracle Farm, STARRY and Texas Baptist Children’s Home who have no one in their lives to naturally look up to, to admire, to positively strive to be like as they grow and mature. It reminds me of another thing too. House parents like the Geymans who are impacting the lives of students like Terrance; Family Life Coordinators and staff making a difference in the lives of children like Donovan and his mother Regina; Child Care Specialists in the Emergency Shelter helping older teenagers like McKenzie and her young son Martin; and staff like the Hendersons and Joneses mentoring teenage boys on the pathway to becoming young men like Aaron and Jake. You can read all of their stories in this issue of Turning Points. It’s just the tip of the iceberg at Children At Heart Ministries of the people who are giving their lives to help make a difference in the lives of children – one child, one life at a time. One last thing the video reminds me of is the hundreds and thousands of people, like you, who help make it possible for us to have staff, homes, electricity, food, clothing, offices, training, and the list goes on and on so the needs of children and families can be met. We are grateful and say thank you for being a significant ingredient in each success story! Just when you wonder if anyone is watching you or might even think you are a hero, ask yourself, “Who are you playing for?” The answer may very well be life changing!
“ We are a family of Christian ministries that exists to honor God and build a better world by serving children and strengthening families.”
Children At Heart Ministries
Todd L. Roberson President/CEO
A Letter from Our President
Gracewood Don Forrester, President Debbie Rippstein, Executive Director 1617 Elmview, Houston TX 77080 (713) 988-9757 www.Gracewood.org Miracle Farm Don Forrester, President Alex Hamilton, Executive Director 10802 FM 2621, Brenham TX 77833 (979) 836-0901 www.MiracleFarm.org STARRY Don Forrester, President Richard Singleton, Executive Director 1300 N Mays, Round Rock TX 78664 (512) 246-4288 www.STARRYonline.org Texas Baptist Children’s Home Don Forrester, President Keith Dyer, Executive Director 1101 N Mays, Round Rock TX 78664 (512) 255-3682 www.TBCH.org www.ChildrenAtHeartMinistries.org
Dance, Dance, Dance
T
TEXAS BAPTIST CHILDREN’S HOME
exas Baptist Children’s Home has been home to thousands of boys with incredible gifts and talents for more than 60 years, but perhaps never one like 15-yearold Terrance Carson. Terrance is one of seven boys that call Cottage 8 home and during the day he does just as they do: he attends his classes, completes his chores, and occasionally joins in on a pick-up game of after-school basketball. But in the evenings, Terrance leaps, kicks and turns his way across glossed wooden floors with nearly as much ease and poise as a seasoned danseur. Terrance is a dancer, one Terrance with his House Mom and Pop, Kae Lyn and David Geyman. with more talent than is usual for his young age, and it’s beginning “It feels like that here, with everyone else having things to turn heads. going on too, they do a really good job of helping you do what “He has something that could lead to a scholarship and you want to do,” Terrance said. “It would have been a lot harder professional dance in his future,” said China Smith, his dance to go to school and be in the dance company [at a different coach and mentor. “It was very apparent to me, almost like his location].” body was made to do this.” After Smith, who is protective of her protégé, met his Terrance is a dance major at the Fine Arts Academy at house parents, David and Kae Lyn Geyman, any misgivings she McCallum High School and a member of Smith’s dance might have had about him moving into the Children’s Home company, Ballet Afrique, in East Austin. Although talented, he disappeared. goes about his life in humility and quiet confidence. “We talk about what a blessing it is to have so many families For this teenager, dance is more than a hobby; it’s his around you to support you with love,” Smith said. “I think that’s preferred way of communicating. going to be what makes the difference in a successful story for “I take dance as an expression or as a way to tell a story,” he him. He has all these people that are going to love and care for said. “I like to blend contemporary and African styles together. him.” It’s really fun to connect to my history and share it with other His house parents and cottage brothers saw him dance people. It has made me grow a lot.” on stage for the first time in December. The entire cottage At the age of 9, Terrance got his first taste of the arts while watched his performance in awe of his capabilities, applauding performing for a summer camp musical. That’s where he met his every move, and bragging about his accomplishments all Smith and their paths crossed again a few years later when he the way home. moved to the Texas Empowerment Academy. Smith worked as “I really enjoyed them coming out,” he said. “It’s nice when a dance instructor and Terrance, a 7th grader, decided to take you go out to do something you like having people appreciate Smith’s dance class. it and supporting you.” “When we’re just talking about boys in dance in general, — Jeannie L. Rodriguez ballet requires a certain amount of discipline and focus that even adults have a hard time with,” said Smith. “But this is something he loves to do.” After a rigorous audition, Terrance was accepted into the McCallum Fine Arts Academy. When he was accepted into www.facebook.com/GracewoodHouston www.facebook.com/STARRYOnline residence at TBCH because of family needs, he was able to www.facebook.com/MiracleFarm continue his studies at the Fine Arts Academy, for which www.facebook.com/TexasBaptistChildrensHome www.facebook.com/ChildrenAtHeartMinistries Terrance is grateful. www.ChildrenAtHeartMinistries.org
Mar/Apr 2014 | Turning Points
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A Song for Life
GRACEWOOD
R
egina Hearne spent her childhood and teenage years dreaming of performing professionally. Blessed with an amazing voice and superb acting skills, Regina chased that dream into college and into parenthood. But a series of poor choices and bad relationships – influenced greatly by self-esteem issues – kept her dream out of reach. “I’ve battled with self-esteem my whole life, probably caused by my childhood, weight issues and a pitiful set of teeth,” said Regina. “I’ve let myself be manipulated by people because I could never see myself the way God sees me.” It was in the midst of pursuing a degree in theater and working with a local record company that Regina got pregnant. “My weight was already a continuous battle and I felt pregnancy probably meant the end of a professional singing career,” said Regina. “After being abandoned by my son’s father and leaving the record label, I felt like I had wasted many precious years by making dead-end choices.” But during one of the darkest points in her life, Regina found Grace Christian Fellowship Ministry (GCFM), where she now serves as administrative assistant and Director of Music. “God has used GCFM to change my life. It was there that I first heard the living Word of God, applied it and stuck with it,” said Regina. Heavily involved in her church and working a series of odd jobs, Regina constantly faced eviction and was barely surviving financially. Her church referred her to Gracewood and Regina and her 11-year-old son, Donovan, moved in July 2013. (Her daughter, 15-year-old Christen, lives with her father, although she joins Regina for family dinners at Gracewood nearly every week.) “I have truly never felt so genuinely loved,” said Regina. “It was my desire to do more, have more, and be more, and Gracewood is teaching me how to do that.” Through everything that happened in her life, Regina never lost her love and pursuit of music. She has performed in numerous major productions across Houston including musicals at The Ensemble Theatre, and recently had the opportunity to perform with Grammy award-winning gospel singer Cynthia Clawson, something she called “a huge confidence booster.” As part of her dream of a musical career, Regina always hoped to have her teeth fixed. But when a dentist estimated nearly 15 years ago that she needed $12,000 worth of work, Regina knew the chances were not good. However, when a local dentist approached Gracewood late last year, wanting to give a mom “her smile for Christmas,” the staff knew just the mom for the gift.
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Christen, Donovan and Regina
“When I walked in to meet him, I realized it was the exact same dentist I received the estimate from 15 years ago!” said Regina. “It was truly a miracle for me, a testament that God still wants to bless me with the desires of my heart.” Regina is working hard at Gracewood to provide her son with consistency and structure, as well as learning to be a better mom for both of her children. She has also once again started pursuing her college degree and is currently substitute teaching. “I just love Regina and the way she exudes the love of the Lord in her life,” said Debbie Rippstein, Executive Director of Gracewood. “It is evident that God is doing big things, and it is a privilege to get to be a part of it and see Him at work. Thanks to Gracewood staff and the donors who’ve made Regina’s story possible, we will continue to do everything we can to help her accomplish her goals.” — Haley Smith
www.ChildrenAtHeartMinistries.org
Just Get to Know Me
S
ometimes you can change a life just by showing someone you care. That was certainly the case with McKenzie and her son, Martin, after they came to the STARRY Emergency Shelter.
When they arrived, McKenzie was just 17 years old and already the mother of an 18-month-old. Kicked out of her home by her mother, the teenager had bounced through several different foster homes. After her son was born, she found herself in a violent relationship with the father. Child Protective Services sent McKenzie to STARRY. She really didn’t want to be there — and it showed. For the first few days, she isolated herself and watched television while hardly engaging at all with the staff or her son. Martin was an adorable, energetic little boy with endless curiosity and wonderment. You would never know that he came from a home filled with inconsistency and turmoil. He kept the Shelter staff and his mom entertained with his dancing and imitations. Like all children, Martin needed a loving home and a mom who cared about him. There were many times when McKenzie was unable to give this to him because she wasn’t emotionally strong or because she simply did not know how to be a parent. At first, she was withdrawn, cried a lot, and showed little interest in Martin. The staff patiently encouraged her to work on her relationship with her son. They offered to take her to church and to help her explore the plan God had for her life. McKenzie gradually opened up, talking about her family life and the dreams she had for herself and her son.
www.ChildrenAtHeartMinistries.org
STARRY “Miss Jordan [Child Care Specialist Jordan Vera] just kept asking me questions,” McKenzie said. “When I asked why, she just said she was trying to get to know me. No one had ever taken the time to get to know me like that before.” Soon, McKenzie was embracing God with open arms and finding comfort in reading passages from her Bible and sharing those that spoke to her with staff. As her emotional and spiritual conditions stabilized, her relationship with Martin began to improve. She attended parenting classes and began implementing daily routines to use the skills she was learning. She rejoined a GED program and found help with housing; when she reached the age of 18 she was going to have to move out on her own. She asked to go along on grocery shopping trips, where staff taught her about budgeting and making healthy food choices. When she left the Shelter, McKenzie was stronger, more independent and excited about her little family’s future. She will still need prayers. Nothing is guaranteed for McKenzie and Martin, but STARRY will continue to be available when she needs help. Whether it is a child alone or a child accompanied by a teenage mother, the STARRY Emergency Shelter is a safe haven, a real home, where they can release the damage they’ve suffered from the environment they were in previously and find the healing they need to prepare for the next phase of their journey. STARRY only has these youngsters in the Emergency Shelter for about 60 to 90 days, so seeing such dramatic progress while McKenzie was with us shows the value of teaching, empowering and extending God’s grace and comfort to those in need. Most of all, the ministry gives staff an opportunity to get to know moms and children on a personal level. They all have stories to tell. They all have dreams. Sometimes all they need is for someone to listen and show them that dreams really can come true. — Allison Zander, STARRY Child Care Specialist
Donate easily online. Donate
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Mar/Apr 2014 | Turning Points
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The Days Between
T
he two biggest days in the life of a Miracle Farm boy may be the day he arrives and the day he leaves, but it is what happens every day in between that makes all the difference.
Aaron, left, and Jake.
Jake and Aaron remember their first days at the Farm well, arriving within a month of each other in the summer of 2012. “I thought everyone would be much different than the friends I had,” recalled Jake. “It changed my perception about people.” “I didn’t know how I would fit in with a whole bunch of country people,” echoed Aaron. But the boys were quickly put at ease. “The first night at the Farm, I sat out on the front porch with Troy, who had been here a while,” said Jake. “He told me he didn’t know where he might have been if it wasn’t for Miracle Farm. He told me to let God take control.” “It was easier to fit in than I thought,” added Aaron. “The other boys were friendly and they helped me learn the importance of a fellowship with Christ.” Aaron, 17, and Jake, 14, came to Miracle Farm with similar problems. Both were having problems in school and hanging out with the wrong sort of friends. By the time they left the Farm in December, their boots were pointed in the right direction.
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MIRACLE FARM “When Aaron got here, he was quiet and reserved and very much a follower,” said his house parents, Rusty and Jerry Henderson. “When he left, he was still quiet, but very much a leader with a good self-confidence. His profession of faith in Christ was definitely his turning point.” “When Jake first arrived, his selfconfidence was low,” said David and Gayla Jones, his house parents. “He struggled with realizing just how capable and how strong he truly was. Once Jake let his guard down and he realized who he was and that he could accomplish the difficult jobs and make good choices, it paved the way for him to mature into the strong young man he is today.” “I learned a lot about the importance of a close-knit brotherhood,” Jake said. “I learned to let God take control. He’s not going to let anything get in the way. You learn to make good decisions and you learn that there’s always a right way and wrong way.” For both boys, the success of their time at Miracle Farm was the result of their own hard work, support from house parents and staff, and peer-level guidance they received from other boys at the Farm. By the time they left, roles had been reversed and they were the ones guiding new boys. “When a boy first comes to Miracle Farm, he very often doesn’t really want to be here,” noted Executive Director Alex Hamilton. “It is always amazing how quickly they go from being strangers in an unfamiliar environment to finding God-given confidence in themselves and their abilities. Seeing that passed from boy to boy is one of the biggest blessings this ministry makes possible.” By now, both boys have returned to school in their hometowns. Jake plans to pursue a career in criminal justice and Aaron wants to eventually go to a trade school and become a welder, a craft he was able to sample in Miracle Farm’s vocational education program. “It’s just going to be good to be with my family,” Jake said shortly before he left the Farm, “to show them I really have changed for the better and I’m not the same person I used to be.” “I know it’s going to be better, just to be able to look my parents in the eye and have a serious conversation,” said Aaron. “That wasn’t something that was really possible before Miracle Farm.” — Bill Martin
www.ChildrenAtHeartMinistries.org
CHILDREN AT HEART MINISTRIES
Benefiting Children At Heart Ministries
22 Home, Hope and Healing
The 22nd Annual Children At Heart Golf Marathon APRIL 28, 2014 MONDAY The Golf Club Star Ranch Hutto, Texas
72 MARATHONERS. 100 HOLES. 1 DAY. SCHEDULE
BREAKFAST / 6:00 AM
SHOTGUN START / 7:00 AM LUNCH / 12:00 PM
DINNER / 5:00 PM
PRIZES AWARDED FOR: Hole-In-One & Longest Drive & Closest to the Pin Top Fundraiser prizes awarded at Marathoner Appreciation Luncheon on April 27 at 1:00pm INDIVIDUAL FUNDRAISING MINIMUM $500
TO SPONSOR A MARATHONER PLEASE VISIT WEBSITE BELOW. www.ChildrenAtHeartMinistries.org/GolfMarathon2014
WHO ARE YOU PLAYING FOR?
www.ChildrenAtHeartMinistries.org
Mar/Apr 2014 | Turning Points
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A Legacy that Keeps on Giving
I
Dawson Clark, CFRE, is Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of the Children At Heart Foundation. You can reach him at (512) 246-4221 or email him at dawson.clark@cahgift.org.
t was the late 1970s, and Ruth Dillingham owned a large parcel of farm land near Briggs, Texas. She had no children, but she did have a deep love for children. So she decided to use the land in a planned estate gift to provide for children being served at Texas Baptist Children’s Home. The gift agreement called for her to receive income payments for the remainder of her life. After her death, she wanted the full value of anything remaining to be invested in an endowment to provide for children perpetually. Since the creation of the Dillingham Endowment Fund, regular distributions have been made to improve the lives of tens of thousands of children and their families. What a legacy!! Her gift has rescued hundreds of children from unspeakable abuse after they were removed from their home by Child Protective Services. It has provided shelter, safety, comfort and healing to children who were separated from their families due to crisis. And it has supported the explosive growth of family care services offered to strengthen families led by single moms, keeping their children together with their moms and helping the family to recover from life’s hardships. Counseling services. Parenting training. Foster Care. Adoption. The list goes on and on. And here’s the amazing thing about her gift. Even though distributions have been made from the fund for over 30 years, the balance in the fund is more than twice what was originally
Howdy Pardner!
Children At Heart Foundation received. The larger the balance grows, the more revenue it produces and the more children and families are served. There are many more stories of others whose legacies join with our vision of “breaking the generational cycle of child abuse and family crisis.” You can visit our website at CAHGift.org to read more about donors who have included Children At Heart in their legacy estate plan. Your legacy can take many shapes. You may wish to provide for your children or grandchildren. Or perhaps you want to leave a special legacy gift to support your church. We ask you to prayerfully consider our ministries as you consider the legacy you leave. If you have questions about your estate plans, Director of Gift Planning Don Cramer offers nocost, no-obligation, confidential consultations to assist you in sorting out your options. Don would love to help you. Please call him at (512) 246-4225 or email him at don.cramer@cahgift.org. We are grateful!
Dawson Clark Vice President and COO Children At Heart Foundation www.CAHFoundation.org
A Day At Miracle Farm
Miracle Farm
10802 FM 2621 Brenham, Texas 77833
10:30 a.m. ‘til 3:00 p.m. BBQ lunch served 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. BBQ tickets $10 in advance, $15 at the gate (for all ages). To order tickets, visit ADayAtMiracleFarm.org or call (979) 836-0901 Guaranteed fun for the entire family! • BBQ and free Blue Bell Ice Cream • Wagon rides • Live auction of crafts made by the boys of Miracle Farm • Horseback rides for the kids • “Salute to America” flag presentation • Petting zoo • Campus tours
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www.ChildrenAtHeartMinistries.org