“A Time to Remember: White's Reunion ”

We would like to invite former students and staff from the years of 1928-2008 to join us on June 1^st 2013 for our “A Time to Remember” reunion. This will be a one day event that offers the chance to revisit your memories of White’s, reconnect with friends from the past, and to discuss opportunities for helping renovate student cottages. We will be offering campus tours, lunch and an ice cream social for all attendees.

It is with profound sorrow that White’s Residential and Family Services, Inc. announces the passing of former superintendent Robert M. Curless.  Bob passed away on Sunday, September 23, 2012 at the age of 96.

Working in the Development office, I have to be intentional about finding ways to interact with the youth here at White’s.  I have enjoyed helping with some of the art club activities, and periodically I have the privilege of listening to a student’s story when Mr. Driskill or another staff person sends them my way.  One aspect of my job is to share the White’s ministry with our faithful donors through our quarterly newsletters and other publications.  Meeting and talking with the youth helps me to be able to do that very thing.  By hearing their stories, I get a glimpse of the amazing ways that God is at work even if the young person telling me his or her story doesn’t see it yet.

One newly-formed student organization, Student Council, aims to give the student population more of a voice on-campus and a stronger presence within the community.  Each cottage elected one deserving student to represent them.  Those students could then choose to run for positions on the council.  After a close race between three council members, exciting campaign speeches filled with promises, and a campus wide vote, one student was selected president. 

The council recently met and quickly started planning activities for their fellow residents.  Activity planning for the entire campus is a weighty task.  Not only must the council attempt to please many different personalities, they also have to take into consideration things like budget and weather.  The activity selected was Frisbee golf at a local course.  Female council members were excited at the prospect of incorporating the outdoors after a long winter.  The gentlemen were excited that people could choose between playing Frisbee golf or basketball.  The council’s backup plan utilizes their on-campus resources.  In the case of bad weather, they will host a movie, popcorn, and soft drinks in the Kachmann Center.  Many activities were discussed for the future, but a favorite amongst the members was the thought of hosting an ice cream social.  The student council president said, “I enjoy being on the council because I now know ahead of time what the campus activities will be and that I have a hand in planning those activities.”  They were all so grateful for the generous donors that allow for these activities to take place. 

 Six months ago, Kyle Hostetler took on the role of Recreation Coordinator for White’s Residential program in Wabash.  “One of the things I really enjoy about my position is getting to facilitate opportunities for our youths to enjoy new experiences,” says Kyle.  Many of the kids who are a part of the residential program at White’s have never had the privilege of participating in cultural activities; others have forgotten the joy of developing new talents or skills.  Part of White’s mission is devoted to providing opportunities that enrich the lives of those being served.  Kyle’s job is making sure that each student who comes to the Wabash campus gets at least a glimpse of how culture can positively impact their lives. 

 For being a small town, Wabash provides a host of opportunities for any person to experience cultural activities.  Through the years, White’s students have visited the Wabash County Historical Museum, participated in local events and festivals, and attended various performances at the Honeywell Center.  Last month, two groups of White’s students earned the privilege of attending either Shrek the Musical or Swan Lake.  Both performances were greatly enjoyed by the students in attendance.  Students commented positively about the level of the performances and how much they appreciated being able to attend.

“White’s was grace for me,” says Katy, a former resident on White’s Wabash campus.  When Katy arrived at White’s in May 2010, she had a completely different perspective.  “I hated that I was here.  I just wanted to hurry up and get done.”  It wasn’t until she was here for several months that she realized the staff really did care about her.  It was then that she stopped “faking” and started to open up so that the healing could begin.

In time, Katy’s grades improved and she was able to finish high school while also taking classes through Ivy Tech.  The court said she could leave White’s last summer, but knowing that she still needed the support offered to her at White’s, she asked to stay for another six months.  In December, she earned her high school diploma and moved to Fort Wayne where she is participating in the Crossroads program at IPFW.  “I’m not wasted potential.  I want to do something great with my life,” says Katy.  Her hope is to become a play therapist for young children.  “There are other ‘little Katy’s out there – kids who need an outlet, someone to listen to them and care about them.” 

Theme Verse for 2012

The beginning of a new year is often a time for setting new goals with the intention of making a change.  It’s a fresh start - a time to try something new.  And, there is the hope that with the right combination of effort and determination, the goal will be reached.  All too often, though, life circumstances change unexpectedly or we grow weary.  It’s easy to become discouraged, but God calls us to something better.  He reminds us that when our faith is in Christ, we are victorious and we have full access to the eternal love of God.  And this is what makes all the difference!  In allowing God to move in us and through us, we can be assured that His love will prevail, no matter what is going on in the world around us.  This is what God calls us to - this is His amazing promise! 

You know the saying “in like a lion; out like a lamb”? Well, our 2011 reminds me of that phrase, except I would probably edit it to “in like a tornado; out like a rainbow.”  The beginning months of 2011 were filled with the daily challenges of parenting and trying our best to show love to two little children whose backgrounds included much hurt and trauma. We stuck diligently to the therapeutic parenting that we were learning. We also leaned heavily on Christ in the hopes that our home could be a place of stability regardless of the whirlwind of emotions that our kids were experiencing. Thankfully, because of a great family counselor, the support of our family, friends, church family, and foster care agency, and ongoing prayer, we persevered and God walked with us each step of the way.

The days were very hard, but as the harshness of winter thawed to the warmth of spring, the cold walls of self-protection in our children’s hearts gave way to the possibilities of love, trust, and an open relationship between Tasha and Ross and us. After a year of being together, God blessed us with glimpses that encouraged our hearts so much...like the time when I picked Tasha up from Sunday school and Tasha looked into my eyes for the first time and returned my hug. Then there was the first day that Ross told me (unprompted) “I love you.” One day Tasha revealed that she “found the key to her heart” that had previously gone missing, and that she was ready to “open her heart to our love.”  I also still have the quote written down in my journal this past fall when Ross came to me and said, “Mom, now that I decided I love you, I plan on keeping you as my mom forever.” Priceless!

We couldn’t do what we do at White’s without people sharing their resources, and that includes more than just monetary gifts.  It is amazing to see how God brings the right people at the right time to bless our kids!  Last week’s blog was a letter from one such person. 

This summer, Madison Park Church sent a group of about 40 teens and adults who spent three days working and interacting with some of the staff and students on our Wabash campus. One of the students was Laura, a high school senior from Anderson, IN.  When she left campus, she took with her a desire to do something more.  In November at her state youth convention, she found a way to once again bless the kid at White’s. 

Dear Students,

My name is Laura and I am 17 years old and a senior in high school.  I came to White’s this summer with my church youth group and met some of you and was absolutely moved by your stories, your journeys, and how God was using White’s to minister to every single one of you!