Dear Faithful Friends,

What a Blessing 2004 Has Been!

I am pleased to report that 2004 was a very successful year in terms of services provided to children, youth, and families by the Louisiana United Methodist Children and Family Services. Our direct care services remained populated at operational capacity throughout the year. A total of 1,080 individual children were referred for residential services. We were able to care for 337 or 29% of the requests. In 2003, we had 1,038 referrals, and we were able to care for 385 or 37%.

During this past year a total of 1,518 individuals were served through the Family Counseling Center on the campus of the Children’s Home. This is an increase of 739 individuals served or 95% over the previous year.

The Family Plus Program continues to grow. During the year a total of 873 individuals were provided some level of direct care ranging from crisis intervention and counseling to parental education training. A total of 503 families received services. A total aggregate number of 1,637 persons were involved with the program throughout the year.

A total of 4,061 participants utilized the programs offered at the Outdoor Wilderness Learning (OWL) Center. These activities included the Challenge Course (Ropes), camping, fishing, hiking, biking, sports field, hothouse plants, equine therapy, and the Karen A. Vining Memorial Arbor Walk.

We received a total operating income of $7,477,902 and had expenditures of $7,117,467, leaving us with a positive balance of $360,435. The positive balance will help offset the shortfall of $117,691 we experienced during 2003. Detailed reports will be published once our Annual Audit is completed.

The increased support from our donors was truly a blessing, and that support is what kept us solvent this year. Our Board of Directors, our staff, and I-on behalf of the Children given new hope in life by experiencing God’s Love through our ministry-thank you for being on our team during 2004. May God bless all that we do in 2005!

Yours in Christ,

Terrel DeVille
President/CEO