Several youth from the Ruston campus were on hand for the video, and volunteers from Christ UMC in Shreveport, LA were [...]]]> Recently Rick Rowe and a news team from KTBS TV in Shreveport, LA visited our OWL Center (Outdoor Wilderness Learning) to videotape a segment for the network’s morning show “Made in the Arklatex”.

Several youth from the Ruston campus were on hand for the video, and volunteers from Christ UMC in Shreveport, LA were there to make a batch of the Home’s salsa. Please follow the link below to watch the video segment about our OWL Salsa!

OWL Salsa Video

Many students chose to take part in the program’s objective [...]]]> Arlene Banks, a teacher at Howard School on the Ruston campus of Louisiana Methodist Children’s Home, implemented a voluntary Summer Enrichment program. Mrs. Banks’ students were offered the opportunity to take part in the program from June 1-30 from 8:00-12:00 each week day.

Many students chose to take part in the program’s objective to improve math and reading skills for each participant. The youth enjoyed many educational, fun, hands-on activities.

The program culminated in a celebration of the youth’s many accomplishments. Each participant was given the opportunity to read some of their work to a group of their peers and staff. Lunch and snacks were served after the youth did their readings.

“All my expenses cost more than I ever really thought!” “It makes me want to save just in case of unexpected incidents.” “It [...]]]> Welcome to the Real World! Reality City 2010 was a huge success. More than 105 north Louisiana youth in foster care and Office of Juvenile Justice care attended the event.

“All my expenses cost more than I ever really thought!”
“It makes me want to save just in case of unexpected incidents.”
“It helped me learn how to balance my money more.”
“I realize that I definitely need a college education to live well.”

These are just a few of the comments expressed by young people who participated in the Reality City program provided by the Louisiana United Methodist Children and Family Services, Inc.’s Life Skills Training Center.

The Welcome to the Real World! program consists of four parts: career exploration, expenditure decision making, money management, and choice evaluation. The program is an active hands-on activity which gives young people the opportunity to explore career opportunities and make lifestyle and budget choices similar to those that adults face on a daily basis.

In this simulation of the real world, participants are to assume that they have completed basic educational requirements for their chosen career. They are independent with no financial support from family or others. Once they have chosen an occupation, they receive a monthly salary. They then proceed through the Reality City activity, determining a savings amount, and spending their “salary” on the necessary and luxury items that reflect the career and lifestyle they have chosen.

Each participant receives a sample packet of checks, a deposit slip, and a checking account register. The “net” salary figure is deposited into the checking account and recorded in the checkbook register. Throughout the activity, the participants keep track of their finances by recording purchases and payments in their checkbook and then balancing it. Whether they have adequate funds or run out of money, they continue through the activity and finish with either a positive or negative balance.

Some of the spending choices they will have to make are:
HOUSING – renting vs. purchasing, house vs. apartment, etc.

TRANSPORTATION – The participants choose from a selection of options regarding new or used autos. They also figure in a predetermined cost for gasoline, oil changes, etc.

INSURANCE – Renters, Car, Medical, Life

UTILITIES

GROCERIES – The grocery cost is only for food purchased at the grocery store and prepared at home. Their debit card is used to pay for groceries.

FURNITURE – Participants select the amount of furniture needed that corresponds to their income level.

ENTERTAINMENT – Participants are offered many choices: concerts, eating out, professional sporting events, etc.

LIFE HAPPENS- This expenditure or income offers participants a view of how life can throw a curve ball when least expected. They choose a card from a large deck of “chances” that represent some of the unexpected expenses and income often encountered in adult daily life: “You received a speeding ticket, pay $75;” “You had an accident and have to pay the $250 deductible.” After drawing a card, the participants either write a check for the stated amount or add the amount to their checking account. Participants may also have to do a field sobriety test using “drunk” simulation goggles after being suspected of driving while intoxicated. Some participants may draw a card indicating a diagnosis of HIV and have to pay the medical costs related to treatment of a sexually transmitted disease.

PAY DAY LOAN- Participants are given the option of taking out a payday loan if they cannot afford what they need. The participants learn after completing the module that if they chose a payday loan the interest rates were so high they may never be out of debt and could have potentially damaged their credit.

The participants go through a processing exercise after completing Reality City program and are asked how they did. Some will finish with a positive checking account balance, while others have a negative balance. Participants must understand that a negative balance (overdrawn account) is not permitted in real life! If they had a negative balance, they consider the choices they made and discuss what alternatives might be taken.

The LUMCFS Life Skills Staff (Angie Thomas, Casey Morace and Teprika Parks) would like to extend a special thank you to all who volunteered their time and resources to make this event possible: Children’s Home employees for their time and help, the Recreation staff for set up and all day assistance, Don Johnson and Chris Willis for cooking, the City of Ruston Utilities Dept., US Army representatives, Ruston Police Department, Jack Allen (Cupio Media), State Office representatives Bernadine Barber and Carmen Spooner, and staff that transported the youth. This event could not have been the success it was without everyone involved.

Visit LMCH.org and explore the Louisiana Methodist Children’s Home web site!

I’ve been asked the “Are we there yet?” question about funding our Vo-Tech Building. The answer is “No, not yet.” To date, [...]]]> Almost all of us have heard that question asked from our kids while on the road. Most of us have heard it several thousand times! Usually the answer is, “No, not yet”.

I’ve been asked the “Are we there yet?” question about funding our Vo-Tech Building. The answer is “No, not yet.” To date, $350,000 has been pledged toward the $1.5 million needed for completion. The amount to be raised is still huge at $1,150,000. We need the help of those who have been blessed with financial resources. Already several of our board members and donors have stepped up to get us to $350,000 but there is a big gap to fill. Please consider your church, UMW, UMM, or small group holding a fundraiser and give the proceeds to help us meet the challenge.

The Vo-Tech Program has proven itself to be a worthy addition to serve the educational needs of the youth in our care. The program gives youth an opportunity to learn a skill to become employed when they leave our care. Before the Vo-Tech Program, youth had the opportunity to earn a GED, but when they left our care they had to take unskilled, low paying jobs without a future. Now, youth are given the opportunity to learn a skill and take advantage of higher paying jobs that lead to a better future. In addition to the skill, the youth have increased self-esteem and are better equipped to be tax-paying citizens.

The program was first housed in a former church building adjacent to the main campus. However, the state fire marshal deemed the building not up to code for use in vo-tech training. The Board of Directors decided to construct our own building on the main campus, because the program was so successful and the need so great. Construction is ongoing and we are on target to occupy the building this summer. The 11,000 square foot building can be seen on our webpage (www.LMCH.org).

Currently, skills being taught are carpentry, barbering and hairstyling. When the new building is complete welding, small engine repair and other skills will be added to the curriculum. Youth begin skills training at age 16.5 and earn a National Certification in Safety before embarking on one of the specialty fields.

For the past three years we have received earnest help from Louisiana legislators; specifically Rep. Jim Fannin, Sen. Bob Kostelka, Rep. Hollis Downs and Rep. Rick Gallot; who have worked hard to see that the program was funded. If not for these legislators we would not have the Vo-Tech Program. Because the state faces a shortfall and no new items are allowed in the state budget, we are again at the mercy of our Legislature to fund the Vo-Tech Program another year.

Are we there yet? No, not yet. Is the Vo-Tech Building completely funded? No, not yet. Is the Vo-Tech Program funded for next year? No, not yet. But I pray that my appeal will stir your heart to see this project to completion. Naming opportunities in memory or honor of a loved one are available. Please contact me if you have questions or need additional information: 318-243-4325 OR bob.flournoy@lmch.org.