From the Executive Director
Donnie E. Wheatley

As you can probably tell, we have had considerable snow this season. It began with a 20+ inch storm that delayed departure for many of the residents who were headed home for Christmas and made interesting trips once the roads were open to travel.

Several storms have occurred since then resulting in the residents spending a lot of time shoveling snow. While it isn’t on top of their list of most favorite things to do, it has allowed them to bank some additional work-study hours and eliminate or reduce their hours received as consequences. So, as with most things, there is an upside as well as a downside.

The issues in the economy have had upside and downside results for us also. On the upside, many of our supporters continue to recognize that with a 97% reliance on private funding, this ministry needs them in times like this more than ever. Our Christmas Sponsors ensured that the boys had a more than adequate Christmas by continuing to participate.

When forced to do with less, there is an opportunity to focus on your true values and priorities. A final upside is the necessity to distinguish between what we need vs. what we want. Making these distinctions can result in a stronger, more focused organization.

On the downside, there are usually good ideas that have to wait on the financial means to make them possible. Not everyone, especially the boys, agrees on what is a “need” and what is a “want.” However, balancing the difference between wants and needs serves them, and us, well in the future.

We’ve delayed some things in the “need” classification while preserving a few things that appear to be “wants” to some of the boys and staff. But, when all is said and done, everyone has done their part to complete the mission. As always, you are encouraged to visit our campus and see first hand what your help makes possible.

We thank you for continuing to support this ministry. In light of everything, we deeply appreciate this statement of faith in our ministry, our mission and our boys.

: : TOP : :

Boys’ Home School Progress

Max Shawver, the Boys’ Home School director, released a mid-year progress report for the school. For reading in the elementary/middle school placements, they have averaged 3/4 of a year gain in one-half of an academic year. Six students "topped out" of the program which means they completed the requirements and were moved to a more challenging program. In math, students averaged 10 months gain in one-half of an academic year. Three students “topped out" of the program and were moved to a more challenging program.

For SOL (standards of learning) testing, four high school students took five end of course tests; all five tests were passed. That means since the high school program’s inception, the high school students have a 83% SOL success rate.

Amazing!