In spite of a troubled economy, we continue expanding our services throughout the state.  How many agencies are able to say that these days?

That we are a connectional ministry is one of the keys to our success. The support of Louisiana’s United Methodist congregations makes our expanding ministry possible.

Our growth has been made possible by strong participation from communities throughout the state.  This support is essential in order to sustain the programs we have developed.  One way that this is done is through our Local Church Representative (LCR) program.  We are in the process of involving each United Methodist Church throughout the state, inviting them to share their gifts and talents.

The LCR serves as a liaison between his or her church and LMCH, to help strengthen the relationship between the two.  We rely on each LCR to help promote our programs.  They receive information from the Home on a regular basis, and help to insure that their congregation is kept informed of all that is going on in our programs.  LCR’s may also be able to introduce others to mission work opportunities at one of our campuses, or help coordinate a fund-raiser event to benefit our children – i.e. a car wash, bake sale, or video night.  We welcome your creativity! We currently have approximately 150 Local Church Representatives and need church pastors to appoint one if the church does not already have one.

There continues to be much enthusiasm throughout the state, as we are in the process of building our new facility to help youth and families in southwest Louisiana.  This is a huge project, and we will need your continued prayers and monetary support to bring this to fruition.

Our programs in southeast Louisiana continue to thrive too, and our children are enriched by your creativity.  Thanks to the combined efforts of Pearl Squires and her staff at Bright Hopes Quilting in Mandeville, and the Sharper Needles group which meets at her store, each child at our Mandeville location has received a beautiful, hand-made quilt.   The children love having their own quilt, which they take with them when they leave our Home.

Also in Mandeville, Dick Kilgore and friends of St. Timothy on the Northshore, UMC have been sharing their green thumbs and gardening expertise with our youth.  The kids get to plant whatever they would like (including okra, jalapeno peppers, and even a white English rose!)  With Mr. Kilgore’s guidance, they are learning to share their bounty with others.  This fall they will be planting vegetables as part of the “Plant a Row, Share a Row” program, benefiting those involved in a local food bank program.

Bob Squires and his committee of volunteers are working hard to repeat the success of the annual golf tournament.  The 30th Annual Methodist Home Golf Classic will be at the Beau Chene Country Club, October 5th.   All proceeds benefit the Methodist Home for Children of Greater New Orleans.