GA06061

Methodist children's home is a Champion for Children

by Eva Stimson

BIRMINGHAM, June 18 — When Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans last summer, 37 residents of a United Methodist childcare agency in the city suddenly were left without a home. Several hundred miles north, in Ruston, LA, the director of Louisiana United Methodist Children and Family Services Inc., heard about the plight of his sister agency.

Without hesitation, Terrel J. DeVille and his staff made room in their facilities for the children from the New Orleans home, plus 13 staff members.

"Had it not been for the Ruston home extending its hand, our agency would have ceased to exist," wrote the director of the New Orleans home. His words of thanks were read aloud at the "Embracing the Child" luncheon Sunday, sponsored by Presbyterian Children's Homes and Related Ministries (PCHARM).

Hearing of this amazing example of Christian hospitality, leaders of PCHARM chose Louisiana United Methodist Children and Family Services Inc. as the recipient of its Children's Champion award at this year's General Assembly.

PCHARM chair Ed Knight, president of Presbyterian Children's Home and Services in Austin, TX, said it was the first time the award has been presented to an organization rather than an individual. (Previous award recipients have included former Assembly Moderator Douglas Oldenburg and children's author Katherine Paterson.) It also is the first time in the five-year history of the award that it has been presented to a non-Presbyterian.

Accepting the award on behalf of his agency, DeVille said sheltering the New Orleans group had been "a blessing," despite many challenges. What initially was expected to be a two-day stay turned into six months.

"It was a culture change for both institutions," he said. The New Orleans children had to adjust to different food, routines and surroundings. Working these children into the school system in Ruston was a challenge. Many of them didn't know what had happened to their families in the aftermath of the storm. And staff of the New Orleans home had a difficult time locating all 60 of the foster children they served in addition to the children in their residential program.

Eventually, some of the children were able to return to New Orleans. DeVille said the boards of the Ruston and New Orleans agencies are looking at the possibility of merging into one facility.

DeVille said he and his staff and the children they serve have learned several things as a result of this experience. "No matter how difficult the storm is, you can weather it," he said.

The children have learned that they will not be abandoned. And all of them have learned the importance of staying connected with the church.