MacDonell United Methodist Children's Services, Inc. 8326 Main St.  •  Houma, La. 70363  •  (985) 868-8362
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Healing Ministries

A JOURNEY OF HOPE

It is important to us that you have a sense of how your support has helped the boys and girls at MacDonell Children's Services.  After all, it is you, our donors, who help make it possible for us to provide the care that these children desperately need.  You have helped children from our community to leave behind a life filled with pain, and begin a new chapter in their young lives.

These "new beginnings" can be very scary for a child.  "Where am I going to live now?  Who will take care of me?  Will my little brother be coming with me?  How long will I live at MacDonell?  And then where will I go?"  These are just a few of the questions which are going through the minds of the children as they enter our home.  We want to tell you a little about Janie, a 13-year-old girl who was recently adopted.  She lived at MacDonell for almost three years.  It is our hope that by knowing some of Janie's story, you will know about a life that you helped to change for the better.

Janie was removed from a dysfunctional family when she was just 7-years-old.  She had been bounced around in "the system" going from one foster home to the next, and not having much stability in her life.  The juvenile court system saw that Janie needed more structure than she was receiving.  So, at the age of ten, Janie was sent to live at MacDonell Children's Home.

When Janie arrived at MacDonell, she was understandably not a happy camper.  The staff at MacDonell spent a great deal of time getting to know Janie, and developed a treatment plan to help her become happier, healthier, and less impulsive.  It would not be easy.  In fact, it would take years of individual and group counseling, along with the daily nurturing, structure, and discipline which was provided by the caring staff at MacDonell.

MacDonell counselors were able to see the transition of a girl who was very angry, withdrawn, and easily upset, to a more mature, cheerful, motivated adolescent.  They emphasized the importance of a solid education, and provided extra tutoring on a daily basis.  It was so gratifying to see Janie's grades improve dramatically in just a few months after she arrived here.

After nearly three years at MacDonell, Janie progressed to the point that she was ready to move on.  Janie, along with a treatment team of counselors and state workers, agreed that the best case scenario would be for her to be adopted by a loving family.  Although this was the hope and prayer of all, we did not want to get our hopes (and Janie's hopes) up too much.  Typically, prospective adoptive parents seek children much younger than Janie, who was now 13-years-old.

Janie's case workers aggresively explored all avenues in their quest to introduce her to potential adoptive parents.  These efforts included putting a picture of Janie and a brief description of her on a secure Web site, managed and protected by the state of Louisiana.  Through the site, a couple residing near Chicago, Ill., learned about Janie and correspondence began.

Janie and the prospective adoptive parents began writing and talking on the phone.  This went well, and one step at a time, Janie's dream was becoming a reality.  She was understandably a little nervous when the couple arranged their first meeting with her on the MacDonell campus.  They hit it off though, and Janie could tell these nice folks would love her just as she was!

Soon Janie was asking when she could go see her new home.  Laurie Lucas, a Master's level therapist at MacDonell United Methodist Children's Services, accompanied Janie on her first trip to Chicago.  This visit went great!  Janie didn't even want to return to Louisiana.  But she knew that there were bags to pack and final goodbyes that needed to be said at MacDonell.  Janie had gotten so attached to the staff and friends at MacDonell that she had mixed emotions about leaving us.  With tears in her eyes, after many hugs and best wishes from all of us, Janie moved on.

Recently, Janie called us to let us know how she was doing.  "My Mom and Dad picked me up from the airport in a limo!" she told us excitedly.  "And now I have my very own bedroom."

It had not been an easy journey, but Janie finally got what she has always wanted:  A family who loves her.

MAKING A DIFFERENCE
By Mrs. Danielle Robinson

In my past ten years of employment for MacDonell Children’s Services, I have seen many boys and girls come through our doors.  Just like children everywhere, they need to know that there are caring adults who they can count on, and know they will be there for them.

Working with the boys was quite an adventure, never a dull moment.  They kept me quite busy playing board games, basketball, football, and softball.  There were also times when I was thankful that I could be there to talk to a child who was lonely or having a rough time in school.

Working at MacDonell means that you could be called on at any time to help a child.  For instance, the children took a trip to AstroWorld one summer.  They were so excited... it was a first vacation for some.  While swimming at WaterWorld, one of our girls, Tracy, began to panic in the water.  Without even thinking, I jumped in to make sure that she was safe.  Later that day, Tracy came to me and gave me a big hug, thanking me over and over again.  She told me that she was so scared in the water and was grateful that I had jumped in to help her.

It is especially gratifying to hear from our boys and girls who have completed our program and gone on to become productive members of the community.

Melanie, who went home to her family five years ago, calls periodically to give us an update of her life.  She recently called to tell us she was attending school to get her GED.  Melanie really made my day when she told me that I had made a difference in her life by simply being there to listen to her and offer support.

Mark, now 18 years old, recently called just to talk, wanting to hear a familiar voice, and tell us that he was going to trade school.

It is always a treat to meet up with our former residents while out in the community, much like meeting up with family.

We truly do become families for many of the children while they are here.  There are people in this big world who actually care and are interested in what they are doing.

After all these years, the most important thing I have learned is that not only have I touched their lives, but they have touched mine in a big way.

MacDonell United Methodist Children's Services
Serving Children Since 1919