Mountain States Childrens Home

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Longmont Times-Call Publication

July 11, 2010

Mountain States Children’s Home in the beginning, top, in the late 1970s, bottom, and current day, right.

(Courtesy MSCH)

50Years Mountain States Children’s Home offers unique sanctuary for children with a Christian foundation

By Kristi Ritter • Longmont Times-Call

Kristi Ritter Summer Stair Contributing Writers

In the early 1950s, Denver resident Elmer Richards was approached by a lady in the West Cedar Church of Christ congregation to help take care of young girls who were not adequately being cared for. Talking with the courts, Richards got permission to send the girls to the Maude Carpenter Children’s Home in Wichita, Kansas. This wouldn’t be his first bout with helping to find a home for a child in need, but he wanted a Front Range resource.

As more people approached Richards for help in finding homes for children, it led him to begin researching what it would take to start a children’s home in Colorado that offered a Christian foundation. A local juvenile judge Phillip Gilliam supported Richards, providing him with the information that the state of Colorado required for a children’s home. He learned that a rural area would be preferred for a children’s home so there would be plenty of room for

Specialty Publications Editor kkritter@times-call.com, 303-684-5275 Specialty Publications Associate Editor sstair@times-call.com, 720-494-5429 Kate Frasure, Kendall Schoemann, Ali Wald

growth, an opportunity for the home to gain income from the land and give the children responsibilities and a rural, calming place to live.

Through Richards’ business travels, he identified the Colorado Front Range as grounds for searching for a new home site. In Longmont, he found a beautiful site only four-and-a-half miles north of town that would be easily accessible from the highway, offered good farm land, the existing farm house would serve initially as a children’s home, office, storage area for food and clothing, and the superintendent’s home, and the property was close enough to town to take the children to church.

The purchase of the 155-acre property was finalized on Dec. 17, 1960, and on May 1, 1961, the remodeling efforts of the farm house were complete and ready to house six children at Mountain States Children’s Home. Buildings of future cottages and other buildings would

On the Cover: Children at Mountain States Children’s Home Cover photo by Paul Litman • Design by Sam Wallace Check out more online at www.timescall.com/magazines.asp

To protect the identity of the children at Mountain States Children’s Home, only first names are used on reference.

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Funding for Mountain States Children’s Home

Children from the early 1980s play on a slide at Mountain States Children’s Home.

(Courtesy MSCH)

follow suit. Along with fellow founders, Bernard H. Byerly, James H. Sims, Sr., John C. Lewis and James R. Harris, Richards’ dreams of starting a children’s home became reality and the work for the Lord began.

The goal of Mountain States was to care for children in a family style, where they would live with house parents in a cottage style setup. The first cottage was built in 1963, the second in 1969 and a third in 1976.

Randy Schow, executive director of Mountain States Children’s Home, says there are six children to a home that is cared for by a husband/wife team. Ultimately, the goal is to help the children deal with their issues, whether it’s stress, alcoholism, divorce or abuse, while also providing a family model, education foundation and structure to the young lives.

“Today, it’s not only the family structure that the children receive, but it’s now more about the amenities and programs that help enrich their lives,” Schow says. And while some of the services have changed throughout the years, the mission of Mountain States Children’s Home remains in that it provides the support and care needed for a child to return home.

“For so many kids, it’s the fear of failure for them,” he says. “Our job is to create a safe environment where they can grow and be successful. We want to help the kids learn to make good, moral decisions. Most of the time, they are just good kids who come from a bad situation.”

Growth continued throughout the years, as Mountain States began farming in 1973, raising cattle, pigs and horses, and harvesting crops including alfalfa, winter wheat and oats. A year later, the original barn burned down which was a local landmark. The Longmont Church of Christ became the sponsoring church to oversee the work at MSCH in 1974.

In 1984, an all-purpose building was built to be used as an office for the organization. Only a year later, the first onsite social worker was hired to help with the individual needs of the children.

Phil Crews, development coordinator, says many of the children come from abusive, neglectful and troubled families. And while some families may not have negative parenting skills, some just need the guidance to lead a successful path. Parents, too, can benefit from counseling to learn better parenting skills.

Don Winger, president of Mountain State’s board of directors, says the average age of children at the home today is 14. When he started with the organization 27

Funding comes from a variety of means, from hosting events, selling farm items, benefit auctions and mainly individual donations.

• 75 percent, individuals • 11 percent church contributions • 3 percent car donations • 3 percent donations from the placed parent or guardian support • 4 to 5 percent grants • 3 to 4 percent business or civic group donations • 0.5 percent government assistance

years ago, that average was 10 years old.

“The shift has come from the change in families today. Quite often, children are from single families or a single child in the family,” he says. “We’ve really had to change from that standpoint.”

But while the average age of children cared for has changed, Winger believes in the original idea of the home to care, clothe, feed and nurture children. And while that remains a focus, there is a more developed program now at Mountain States, for the 18 child residents, that includes following strict state guidelines for the care of the children.

Today’s Mountain States focuses on shorter-term placement. The average time a child is at the home is a year and a half, while some choose to stay two or three years because they like the stability. There is still an emphasis on reuniting the kids with family, but there’s also a focus on finding permanent homes for those who need it. Upon graduation from high school, Mountain States will also help children get the financial support they need to become a young adult.

Most children who are placed at Mountain States Children’s Home are from the Front Range, but others have come from throughout the United States. Schow says they take both state and private placement, but most come from private homes. The parents sign a parental agreement and are encouraged to provide payment for their child, which works on a sliding fee scale. “Regardless of their ability to pay, we will serve a child,” he says.

As the only organization of this type in Colorado, Mountain States has certainly grown throughout the years. In 1999, a house was built for the farm manager, followed by the new Administration building that was completed in 2002.

Crews says the Soaring to New Heights capital campaign started in 2007 has put the future in sight for Mountain States. The food and storage distribution center was opened in 2007 in the old administration building, and a new school and gymnasium building was completed in 2008, allowing for the onsite schooling to be even more prevalent in the children’s lives.

As for future projects, Mountain States will continue with campus beautification and maintenance, while looking toward adding new farm equipment and two new cottages.

Longmont Times-Call Publication

A letter from the Executive Director As we approach our 50th anniversary, I am thankful for all our donors who have been a part of our mission to help children and have made it possible to reach this great milestone. Hundreds of children have been helped through difficult times in their lives, when they are at the most vulnerable stage in life.

The Longmont community and surrounding area continues to be supportive and have been such a vital part of our work throughout the years. Our goal is to let our community know of the many services we offer to families and their children. Even after 50 years of existence, we often hear statements such as, “I have lived here all my life and never knew you existed” or “I drive by everyday and always wondered what you did at the Children’s Home.”

Through these articles, we want to share the ways that we help children. We want to be available to Randy Schow our community so that when the need should arise we can be a helpful resource.

There are a number of common questions that are asked as people seek our help: Where do your children come from?

The children we serve come from our communities, schools, neighborhoods and sometime from our own families. Most of the children come from the greater Longmont area and the Front Range, although we do have some from other states. Some of the children are referred to us through the state, but most are private placements. A private placement is when the person having legal custody places the child in our care.

What are some of the common reasons for placement?

Most of our children come from troubled family situations, when things are not going well for the family. A parent(s) seeks out our services to receive help with their child due to abuse, neglect, abandonment issues, lack of parenting skills or are in need of a support system to help the family to get back on track.

What are the ages of the children?

We are licensed for children ages 3 to 17; however, most of our referrals are between the ages of 10 and 15.

How much does it cost to have a child in your facility?

Since we are Christian based, we believe it is our responsibility to help children who are in need. We are primarily funded through donations, which come from individuals, churches, businesses, grants, car donations and in-kind gifts. These donations make it possible for children to be placed on a sliding scale or the ability of the parent to pay.

Our philosophy is that if we can provide the care a child needs, we will accept them regardless of the parent’s financial ability. Many parents are unable to financially provide for the needs of their children and have no helpful resources. We are a resource for children who may not otherwise financially be able to get the help that is needed.

I hope you find the information presented in this publication to be helpful. I want to personally invite you to our 50th anniversary on July 17 and learn more about our services or even become an advocate for children through your support.

Randy Schow Executive Director

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Longmont Times-Call Publication

July 11, 2010

House Parents Below: From left, Sam, Shannon, Alex and Trina work on their school work at home with house parent Tom Yaeger. Right: From left, Joe, Taylor, Alec, Anthony and Mark (at front) with their house parents Paul and Geneva Mondu.

Making a living out of parenting

By Summer Stair Photos by Paul Litman Longmont Times-Call

F

or Jason and Rebecca Lynch, being a house parent at Mountain States Children’s Home is one of the most natural things they’ve ever done.

“I’ve always wanted to be a mom,” Rebecca says.

“Parenting has always been big in my family.”

Jason and Rebecca were both 23 years old and expecting their first child when they signed on to be house parents at a children’s home in Arkansas. After two years, they moved to Mountain States because of its Christian-based program and values. “It’s nice to work around Christians,” Jason says. “Everyone has similar values, which is important.”

Being house parents at a children’s home was something that Jason and Rebecca had talked about since meeting. Rebecca’s father had been a preacher and Jason had grown up with his parents being house parents in Oklahoma. With these values of helping others instilled in them at an early age, they knew this is what they wanted to do.

With two kids of their own, Rebecca and Jason often have six other kids in their home. While it can sometimes be rough, the end result is always worth it. “Having them call when they leave is the best part,” Jason says. “Being their punching bags can be harder.”

With two-and-a-half years under their belts at Mountain States, Rebecca and Jason look forward to helping more kids that come through the program. It also helps with their two kids too, because they learn boundaries and get to learn at an early age about the importance of helping others.

While Rebecca and Jason have worked with girls, more recently they have been working with boys at Mountain States. Rebecca says it motivates her to know she is making an impact on their lives. “Our world is so worldly and going down,” she says. “I want to help raise these boys to be great men, good fathers and husbands.”

A group of boys play basketball outside of there home at the Mountain States Children's Home.

“They just need someone to be there and listen. It’s extreme hands-on parenting. You have to be on your toes, because they’ll test you every chance they get.”

Paul Mondu, house parent at MSCH

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Longmont Times-Call Publication

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CONGRATULATIONS!

M O U N TA I N S TAT E S C H I L D R E N ’ S H O M E

The girls group does horticulture therapy with relief house parent Kathy Oberholzer. This type of therapy helps them relate certain aspects of gardening to real life choice applications.

It was the opportunity to help others that brought house parents Paul and Geneva Mondu to Mountain States last October.

Two weeks away from retirement, Paul and Geneva were told by a woman that they met that they would be great house parents.

After finding out what a house parent was, the couple was sold on the idea and set out to be house parents at a home in Texas.

Eventually, they called Mountain States home after hearing about it and its Christian beliefs.

“I always said if I had the opportunity to

give back to people I would,” Paul says.

“This is the opportunity to give kids the chance to know what a mom and dad can be.”

For Paul, being the one who helps the kids find out who they are and what they can be makes it all worthwhile. For him it is about showing the kids how to make the change, rather than demanding it, he says.

“They just need someone to be there and listen,” he says. “It’s extreme hands-on parenting. You have to be on your toes, because they’ll test you every chance they get.”

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Alumni grateful for time spent at MSCH

CONGRATULATIONS to MSCH for

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Alumni from MSCH are the first to admit how well the program works for them.

While there they were given the tools to overcome their challenges and go on to lead successful lives.

Aubrey lives in Longmont with her two kids, a 7-year-old boy and 15-month-old daughter, and husband of almost nine years.

Aubrey came to MSCH in 1988 at the age of 5 and stayed there until her high school graduation in 2000. Abandoned by her parents, Aubrey still feels the scars. “It was hard having my parents abandon me at such a young age and not understand,” she says.

“I have yet to understand why my mom made that decision.”

Despite her background, Aubrey believes MSCH was the right place for her. “They raised me far better than my parents would have, and we were very lucky to have a Christian example,” she says.

While she had a hard time coping with not feeling normal, as she got older she realized her life was a lot more normal than other kids. She never had to worry about not eating, having clothes on her back,

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Aubrey plays with her 15-month-old daughter, Alyssa. (Paul Litman/Times-Call)

Aubrey lived at Mountain States Children’s Home as a child. Today, she and her husband, Michael, and two children, Shane, 7, and Alyssa, 15 months, enjoy life together as a family. (Paul Litman/Times-Call)

being abused or being around parents that fought constantly.

“One of the greatest benefits of being there, as I discovered when I was older, was that we had so many opportunities,” she says. “My husband never got to go to Rockies or Broncos games like we did. We got private swim lessons, and experienced more of the world.” She believes this aspect of the home brought a more normal feeling to the situation of living with six other kids who had their own emotional hardships.

Building relationships also became important to Aubrey, who became close friends with another woman at the home. It’s a friendship she continues today and refers to her as her sister. “Her children call me auntie,” she says.

Living at MSCH for so long, Aubrey was able to become more insightful. “I saw many people come and go. I took away something from that, and it helped me understand people and become more empathetic to certain situations.”

With weekly counseling, activities and making friends of a lifetime, Aubrey was able to turn her challenges into positive experiences. “I am so happy I can give to my children what I never had a loving family and two parents.”

Like Aubrey, Oklahoma resident Luke was also abandoned by his parents as a child. Luke lived at MSCH from 1990 to 1996, when he graduated high school.

Adopted at birth by a Christian family, Luke says his adoptive mother was diagnosed with bipolar disease and had schizophrenic tendencies. Unfortunately, not much was known about the disease at the time, and she received full custody of him and his sister, resulting in an unstable family life.

By the time Luke was 10-years-old, his mother had a nervous breakdown, and abandoned him in Portland. In need of a place to stay, the family of his friend in Col-

orado offered him their home. While this family provided Luke with a temporary home, they heard of MSCH when he was in seventh grade, and thought it would be the best place for him to live.

When he visited the home he went horseback riding and tubing. “When you do things like that on the weekends, it’s wonderful, so I decided to stay,” he says.

Luke’s biggest challenge while at the home was the same as Aubrey’s: overcoming anger that his life was not normal. “The challenges of growing up in a situation that’s not like everyone else is hard to overcome,” he says. However, he soon realized he had to make the best of his situation and his time there.

This realization helped him excel throughout his life. “MSCH enabled me to get a good education and go to college,” he says. “I saw the good going on at the home, and it made a big difference in my time there and my time now.”

Luke believes the spiritual principle that MSCH is built on is the best part of the program. “They take kids from broken homes and not only give them a home, but also give them the spiritual side of everything,” Luke says. “Whether or not the kids appreciate that, it goes a long way so kids can strive and grow in that environment. It’s one of the reasons I’m doing so well.”

Luke just celebrated his six-year anniversary with his wife this past May, and has a 9month-old daughter. He is currently working as a network engineer for a communications company. He still tries to return to MSCH to see where his life changed.

It is a known fact that one does not get to pick their family. However, at MSCH, one learns how to cope with the families they are given. Both Aubrey and Luke’s appreciative attitude toward the home allowed them to make the best out of their own situations.

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Longmont Times-Call Publication

CONGRATULATIONS!

M O U N TA I N S TAT E S C H I L D R E N ’ S H O M E

Congratulations

Anthony and Samantha take care of the farms pigs as part of their after school chores. Working with the FFA is something both of them enjoy. (Paul Litman/Times-Call)

on your fi first rst 50 years!

Looking forward to the next 50.

4-H program teaches kids responsibility, pride

By Kate Frasure Longmont Times-Call

At 6 a.m. on a warm summer morning, most kids are in bed enjoying the fact that they do not have to get up for school. But Mountain States Children’s Home resident Anthony can be found feeding and brushing his pig at this time.

“I didn’t like getting up the first year,” Anthony says. “But now I get up because I have something to look forward to.”

At MSCH, children are expected to get themselves up and come down at 6 a.m. to take care of their pigs which are part of the 4-H program that Mountain States participates in. The program, which started about 10 years ago, has children take care of and show their own pig. “(The program) teaches the kids responsibility about getting up and taking care of the animals,” says farm manager Roy Rush, adding that he teaches the kids about showmanship and how to win and lose gracefully.

Anthony, who is in his second year of showing pigs, says his work with the pigs has given him a lot of confidence, pride and respect. “It’s pretty crazy,” he said of showing his pig. “It’s hard cause I always get nervous, and don’t know if the judges like me.”

He built his confidence through competing and winning various awards, including two first place ribbons that he is very proud of.

“It is something new that you have to go

through,” says another child, Samantha, of competing.

Samantha, who is in her first year of the program, says she loves getting up and taking care of the pigs. “I love to clean,” she says. “I get to mess around and have a good time.”

While the kids have a good time, they are expected to treat the program like a job. If a child doesn’t get up in time or fails to do their job, Rush sits down and talks with them, in addition to giving them extra work.

“I try to show them that another kid has to step in and do their part if they don’t,” Rush says. “Usually the kids understand that.”

Rush also expects the kids to treat everyone with respect.

“He doesn’t take a yeah,” Anthony said.

“We have to say yes sir.”

While many of the kids enjoy getting up early to take care of the animals, some students don’t enjoy it as much. Mark, who is in his first year of the 4-H program, says he doesn’t like the stench and how dirty it can get. Still, he gets up every morning to take care of the pigs and tries to learn.

Through Rush’s years with the program, he has had many kids receive awards, including the Herdsman award, which is a sportsmanship award.

“We have accomplished a whole bunch,” Rush says. “It’s a great joy.”

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Longmont Times-Call Publication

July 11, 2010

Counseling helps kids deal with life Longmont Times-Call

Mountain States Children’s Home has dedicated the last 50 years to helping kids deal with life and the problems they have had in the past, are currently dealing with or could encounter in the future. This is done through several programs, but one that is related through daily life and activities is counseling.

Through individual, family and group counseling, kids learn through a hands-on approach how to relate things personally, challenging themselves to persevere and relate it to the future, says Dustin Smith, counselor at MSCH. When first arriving, each kid gets an individualized treatment plan with goals to work toward. Barbara Noble, director of social services at MSCH, says the goals are based on why they are there. “We work to get to the root of the issues and help them solve it,” she says. Individual counseling can encounter past, present or future prob-

Congratulations on serving our Community for

lems and concerns.

Family counseling is also extremely important at MSCH, because eventually the family will be reunited. The program at MSCH is often set for one year. Throughout that time, the family is always in contact with the staff and learning about what their kid(s) is doing at the home and what is working. Most problems stem from the core of the family and are issues that must be addressed.

Smith says family counseling is added into the program when the child feels ready.

While this can happen at any time, it usually does not occur until toward the end of the child’s stay. Throughout this time though, “family is a huge part of it,” he says. “It shows support to the child and offers consistency.”

Noble agrees. “Our whole goal is to reunite the family,” she says. “It is hard work and painful, but it is the most gratifying experience watching the families come together and go home as a family.”

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Another part of family counseling is that parents learn a lot about themselves and their parenting skills, Noble says. Parents learn more about what they can do to offer more structure at home for when their child returns. “We’re trying to create a balance for the family,” she says. “We help parents establish what needs to happen at

home.”

While counseling focuses on the child and their family, learning about problem solving and how to work together in a group setting is also important. In group therapy, kids get a chance to do character building activities that may not seem like counseling.

Some activities include group fitness or

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Anthony meets with counselor Dustin Smith at the Mountain States Children's Home. (Paul Litman/Times-Call)

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CONGRATULATIONS!

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“It is hard work and painful, but it is the most gratifying experience watching the families come together and go home as a family.”

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Aside from the different facets of counseling, Noble and Smith work directly with the house parents through weekly meetings, and daily interactions when needed, to discuss each child. This helps establish consistent boundaries, which helps the kids gain structure in their lives and helps create self awareness, Smith says. “We nurture and care for, but we also hold them accountable,” Smith says. “This is what kids really want ... some structure.”

While the kids work through problems and toward their end goals, the consistent structure and family-like atmosphere all held together with Christian values are what makes the difference.

Smith says being at Mountain States is like being a part of a family. “The staff works as a team. We all have our own function, but we function together and with the parents so we can help facilitate growth and change,” Smith says. “The kids too are allowed to be individuals, and be a part of a large family.”

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Mountain States Children’s Home counselor Dustin Smith works on fitness training with the boys group. Fitness training helps them in setting personal goals and in relating to daily situations. (Paul Litman/Times-Call)

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Longmont Times-Call Publication

July 11, 2010

Onsite school at MSCH helps build confidence

By Kristi Ritter Longmont Times-Call

When Mountain States Children’s Home started 50 years ago, their goal was to help children get through challenges in their lives, build confidence through programs and return them to their families to lead more productive lives. But as the program proceeded, staff soon discovered many of the children were getting lost in school, either behaviorally or academically. Most children had a past of gravitating toward others on a negative path, following the bad behavior and digging themselves deeper into an education backlog. All they needed was more guidance and assistance in getting back into the cycle of success.

To give the children the step forward they needed in their education, Mountain States added its own onsite school in 1998. Janice Schow, who began working at the home in 1992 in the office, was a teacher before com-

Teacher Alan Townsend leads school at Mountain States Children’s Home. Below: The new school was built in 2008. (Paul Litman/Times-Call)

ing to Mountain States and quickly stepped into the role as educational director. She focused the school on providing children with the opportunity to work one-on-one to find their strengths and weaknesses, thus resulting in a plan to move each child forward on a successful educational path.

“Many of the kids were getting lost,” she says. “But all they needed was the opportunity to get ahead.”

Schow says structure is a big part of the school, of which many of the children have not had in their lives. Many children come from a home with chaos, they lack study and organizational skills, and often don’t understand accountability and respect – all things they won’t get away with at Mountain States.

When each child arrives, he or she is tested to find the place where they are academically. “It gives us an idea of where to start so that they can be successful,” she says. “Most students are capable of it, but just haven’t had the enforcement. And once they realize they can do it, they are so excited.”

Students are measured on levels each day in class, and a sheet is sent home with each child nightly so house parents know where the child is at in school. House parents will also incorporate these levels into home levels for chores and privileges.

Schow works closely with each student to address their particular issues, all the while trying to catch them up and stay on track for their academic level. Throughout the

Educational Director Janice Schow teaches class at the onsite school at Mountain States Children’s Home. (Courtesy MSCH)

years, she has tested the children upon entering and exiting the school, and has noticed an incredible jump in their abilities.

The average progress a child makes in a year is 3.7 years, allowing each child to get back on track.

“It gives them a lot of confidence where they feel they can go on and be successful,” Schow says.

Most children will spend a year at the school to catch up before feeding back into the public school system, mainly Mead Middle School or Mead High School. And while not all children will be up to par in all areas, they have the foundation of solid study and organization skills, making public school much easier. Schow says she continues to work closely with each student to transition them into school and keep them on track.

The onsite school allows for up to 16 students, with the legal limit of eight students per full-time teacher. This past year, Schow worked full-time along with two part-time teachers, Alan Townsend and Daniel Morrissey. But there is plenty of room for growth.

In 2008, Mountain States Children’s Home opened a new building for the school, allowing for an expanded library and media area, a new gymnasium for physical education, a science lab, new textbooks and more areas for students to work. Prior to the new building, the school was located in the basement of one of the house parent’s homes.

“I feel that this school can really change these kids’ lives,” Schow says. “One kid said to me that he used to play sick to stay home from school, now he plays well so he can go to school.”

Having the new school building also adds to the educational outlook of these children.

Most are so thankful to have the opportunity to learn, and in a beautiful space with resources at their fingertips, children are like sponges in soaking up the knowledge.

m7/12/2010yTCcfewell July 11, 2010

Longmont Times-Call Publication

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CONGRATULATIONS!

M O U N TA I N S TAT E S C H I L D R E N ’ S H O M E

Volunteers help during a food run at Mountain States Children’s Home. (Courtesy MSCH)

Lend a helping hand at Mountain States

To volunteer with Mountain States Children’s Home, contact Phil Crews at 303-776-6841.

I help people find houses, you give a loving home to children.

“We salute you for all your good works in our community” 235 Alpine St.

303-776-3600 www.longmontford.com

27-149396

Whether it is donating time, food, money or joining a committee or project, Mountain States Children’s Home always has a void to fill.

The nonprofit facility is situated on 155 acres, on which there is a barn, residences, education and administrative centers, storage buildings, pigs, horses and cows. Because MSCH is such a diverse and unique organization, they need a variety of people and resources to run smoothly.

Phil Crews, the development coordinator at MSCH says, “I usually tell people who want to get involved to come on out,” he says. “I’ll walk them around and find things that need to get done.”

Volunteers are always needed for specific events, such as food runs and auctions, where they can help organize, collect and label items.

Every other month, Ray Lewis, who has been involved with MSCH for 50 years, participates in the food run, in which he collects donations from several church congregations.

Although it is called a food run, Lewis says they will pick up anything. “Any food products will help but we do not turn anything down,” he says. “If you want to donate an old car, we will come pick it up.”

Although food is a necessity at MSCH, donated time, services and talents are great ways to give back on a tight budget.

“A lot of times groups will come out and plant trees, landscape, paint or do repair work,” Crews says.

Another opportunity to get involved with MSCH is spending time with the kids. Andy Welch, vice president of operations at Sun Construction in Longmont, has had a strong relationship with the kids of MSCH his entire life.

“I have always found Mountain States Children’s Home to be a really amazing place,” Welch says. “They do such a special thing for a variety of kids with different needs and wants.”

In addition to donating his landscaping services, Welch spends time with the kids in the mountains or takes them fishing. “The biggest thing for the kids is spending time with people that show them that they have value,” he says.

Spending time with the children can also be arranged at the “the home,” by cooking and eating a meal with them.

“Whatever their talents and passions, they can definitely find a place to fit in at MSCH,” Welch says.

2055 Ken Pratt Blvd 303-682-3176

Shelley Crews • ERA Tradewind Real Estate 303.684.7731 • 303.775.8405

Longmont Office:

1400 Dry Creek Drive • Longmont

Lafayette Office:

300 Exempla Circle, Suite 120 • Lafayette

303.772.3300 • www.eyecaresite.com

1225 12 25 Ke Ken n Pr Prat attt Bl Blvd lvd. vd.

Longmont, CO

7 720-652-6680

www.mountainmanlongmont.com

7:00am-2:00 pm Daily

Mountain States Children’s Home

Your wonderful work with children in need is appreciated by all who know your work.

is “on target” with their work with children!

Congratulations!

1725 Vista View Dr., Unit E • Longmont, CO 80504 720-652-9100 w w w. a r c h e r y i n t h e w i l d . c o m

MS-149836

Thank you for serving our community and congratulations on your 50 year anniversary.

E YECARE CENTER O F N O RT H E R N C O L O R A D O

HAPPY 50TH ANNIVERSARY 29-150292

Longmont Times-Call

MS-150816

By Kendall Schoemann

Many Thanks For All You Do For Children

Left Paw Pantry “We make tracks to your door”

303-652-6060

m7/12/2010yTCcfewell July 11, 2010

THE CELEBRATION Come Join Us for

Celebrating the

50 Year

Balanced Approach to Childcare • Family Model of Care • Spiritually Centered • The 4-H Program • Education • Counseling

Upcoming Events July 17th 50 Year Anniversary Celebration Day (10:00 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.)

September 11th Bargain Auction on MSCH Campus (9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.)

October 23rd Benefit Dinner & Auction at the Radisson Hotel & Conference Center (5:30 - 9:00)

Mountain States Children’s Home Tour 10am-11:30am Lunch & Presentation 11:45am-1:15pm Willie Franklin Alumni Tours Continue from 1:30pm-2:30pm

3 miles from I-66 to Mountain States Children’s Home Wal-Mart

I-66

14780 N. 107th Longmont, CO RSVP (for lunch count) 303-776-6841 or msch@msch.org

MS-150289

Longmont Times-Call Publication

Hwy 287

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