June Campus Update
One of the things we do each morning with our kids is a Community Meeting, and one of the things we ask each person is “How are you feeling?”. This is not a quick “good” or “fine” answer but rather, it is to be answered with an honest emotion—I’m happy, sad, angry, frustrated. We do this for many reasons, but one of the reasons is that we would rather a child TELL us they are angry, than SHOW us they are angry.
Today I am feeling discombobulated. I completely understand the phrase “herding cats” as today I am trying to get things accomplished off of my To Do List, while stopping to answer questions, give directions, answer phone calls, and have had several people just pop in today. Here’s a secret—I LOVE IT. It’s a Mary vs Martha thing in my world. Sometimes, the To Do List needs to wait and I need to spend some time listening to a co-worker that is struggling or spend some time rejoicing with one of our kids who is proud of their grades.
This m
onth, like all months, I have had many, many emotions. Today I am excited that our newly appointed Executive Director will be taking office tomorrow (June 1st). Angela Robertson, who has served as Program Director for the past several years, will be leading this agency forward.
Along with that, I am feeling grateful that we were able to spend this last month with Peter Bumpass, a Board Member, as our Interim Executive Director. He has been a major blessing to the staff as he worked alongside us. He has spent several hours each week at the school helping the kids with their assignments, especially in Math.
Proud is the best word I can use to describe my feelings at the annual Celebration of Strengths Banquet as we watched the kids receive their various awards. Each child is recognized with a strength that the staff sees in them. They also each received an award for their academic achievements.
As the school year ended, we had four of our kids leave our program. I am happy for them, sad for me (going to miss those kids!), and concerned for their future. Please pray that they will continue to use the tools that they know and that they will be successful!
Every day, I am grateful for you. You are the reason we are able to continue ministering to children and families. THANK YOU!!! Thank you for being a part of our community. You are making a difference in the lives of children and families!
For the children,
Beth Frump, Director of Development
Faith. Family. Future.
they had spent time down at the Barn, giving our Barn and our goats a Spring Cleaning. Our 4H Program has been such a blessing for our kids. They are learning all kinds of skills and responsibilities. We are so thankful for everyone who was a part of Day of Prayer & Giving in 2017 who made our dream of the 4H program a reality!
ference is full of educational opportunities for furthering our knowledge in our specific fields, but it also allows us to spend time fellowshipping with the other agencies that provide residential, foster care, and adoption services. “Lighthouses don’t compete” was one of my favorite quotes from the conference, as I love how the conference allows us to brainstorm together and work together as each agency works to serve children and families. We are truly all in this together, sharing God’s light to children and families throughout the country.
arch is always a blur of activity and is over so quickly. Each day is filled with time with different congregations who volunteer for the Phone Campaign, with phone calls with donors, and with face-to-face conversations with you. While it is a difficult month as we try to raise the necessary funds through phone calls, it always returns ten-fold in blessings—not only in the funds raised, but in the encouragement from you. THANK YOU!
carrier pigeon with your pledge. It is my goal that families will honor our 62 years of serving children & families with a gift of $62. That’s just $5.17 a month, or you can give however it best fits your budget ANYTIME this year! Again, if you have already pledged, I am so very grateful for your partnership in this ministry. Thank you!
ears and has been a part of this ministry for even longer. He has agreed to step in while the Board makes the final prayerful decision regarding the next Executive Director. While we are sad to see the Powells go, we know that Peter will be an asset in this transition. Again, if you have any questions regarding this transition, feel free to contact me anytime.
ety. A local power company came in and taught the kids to not electrocute themselves, not to fly balloons near power lines or to let balloons go, not to get out of a car if you hit a power line (unless car is on fire). The police department sent Lt. Chavez to campus, who taught the kids not to bully or cyberbully. A local group that teaches positive teen health came and taught the kids not to drink or make poor choices with their bodies. And finally a former housemom who is a physical therapist came in and taught the kids how to breathe deep, use reflexology, and to create new healthier habits to deal with stress and bad days. And as one of our boys pointed out this morning, “And Safety month had FOOD!” as we kicked the month off with a lunch from Firehouse Subs. What a fun month for the kids (& staff)!!
’s words, “it’s just time for us to simplify.” They are moving to Colorado and will still be involved in the mission of childcare. However, they want to enjoy a simpler life, with more travel (to see more of the west side of the country). Obviously, we are sad to see them go, but we appreciate the years of service they have given to us and wish them the best as they journey on.