Just north of Sulphur, a new home for troubled youth is being constructed, and will be a beacon of hope for children throughout the state, said Douglas Hall, Assistant Director of Major Gifts and Planned Giving for Louisiana United Methodist Children and Family Services, Inc.
Hall spoke to the Westlake Rotary Club on Thursday about the home, which will not be limited to only children of the Methodist denomination.
"We want all of our children to have a closer relationship with Christ, however that goes," Hall said.
The facility will have 35 beds for both girls and boys; the children will have onsite tutoring but will attend Calcasieu Parish Schools in the beginning.
"Later we would like to have onsite schooling, but right at the start they will be attending public schools," Hall said.
However, any student would be allowed to attend public school, because that would help contribute to a feeling of 'normalcy' Hall said.
The facility is on track to be opened around October barring any delays, according to Hall. It's built similarly to other homes around the state that are administered by Hall's organization.
Hall said that the children come from bad home situations and often require a positive touch, even when they misbehave.
"We aim to not punish, but reward good behavior. Each child can earn points that go toward staying up later, or an evening out with staff to a movie, things like that," he said.
"So many of these kids are used to acting out because of bad home environments, and we aim to show them that yes, there are consequences for their actions, but that those consequences are fair and designed to show them that they are loved, without fear."
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Just north of Sulphur, a new home for troubled youth is being constructed, and will be a beacon of hope for children throughout the state, said Douglas Hall, Assistant Director of Major Gifts and Planned Giving for Louisiana United Methodist Children and Family Services, Inc.
Hall spoke to the Westlake Rotary Club on Thursday about the home, which will not be limited to only children of the Methodist denomination.
"We want all of our children to have a closer relationship with Christ, however that goes," Hall said.
The facility will have 35 beds for both girls and boys; the children will have onsite tutoring but will attend Calcasieu Parish Schools in the beginning.
"Later we would like to have onsite schooling, but right at the start they will be attending public schools," Hall said.
However, any student would be allowed to attend public school, because that would help contribute to a feeling of 'normalcy' Hall said.
The facility is on track to be opened around October barring any delays, according to Hall. It's built similarly to other homes around the state that are administered by Hall's organization.
Hall said that the children come from bad home situations and often require a positive touch, even when they misbehave.
"We aim to not punish, but reward good behavior. Each child can earn points that go toward staying up later, or an evening out with staff to a movie, things like that," he said.
"So many of these kids are used to acting out because of bad home environments, and we aim to show them that yes, there are consequences for their actions, but that those consequences are fair and designed to show them that they are loved, without fear."
