NCJ Number
209120
Journal
Reclaiming Children and Youth Volume: 13 Issue: 3 Dated: Fall 2004 Pages: 144-148
Date Published
2004
Length
5 pages
Annotation
This article explains the theology/philosophy under which the Methodist Children's Home in Waco, TX, provides services to at-risk youth.
Abstract
The Methodist Children's Home helps youth view themselves as spiritual beings whose nature aspires to experience and believe in a God who loves them as they are in their vulnerability. The Home seeks to mediate a climate in which this awareness is cultivated. This is done by accepting youth for who they are and where they are without blaming them for their condition. This is done by allowing them to express who they are in a climate of listening and questioning. Further, the staff must acknowledge their own vulnerability and humanity in common with troubled youth who are seeking answers for their lives. In addition, a climate is cultivated in which dropping defenses that have hidden vulnerability becomes safe in a climate of acceptance and love that does not pass harsh judgments on those who have abused and been abused by others. In such a climate, a sense of responsibility for others develops; and guidance, including discipline, is provided for how to best implement responsible helping to others. The most difficult part of the Home's work is to prepare youth for leaving the Home to live in a world that has many features that will test trust and love instead of nourishing it. A 10-item bibliography