PRESS RELEASES
New Children’s Home President Announced
May 9, 2013
(Enterprise, FL) Becky Dotson has been appointed the new President and Chief Executive Officer of the Florida United Methodist Children’s Home in Enterprise, Florida. She has 20 years of experience of working with organizations focused on improving the lives of children.
Dotson previously served as President and CEO of United Methodist Ministry with Children and Families, which oversees the United Methodist Children’s Homes of Mississippi. “This is what God has called me to do,” says Dotson. “I advocate for the rights of children who have been abused and neglected and motivate God’s people to get involved in helping protect them.”
The Florida United Methodist Children’s Home in Central Florida has been serving neglected, abused, and troubled children for more than 100 years, providing care to an average of nearly 400 children each month. Services include foster, residential, therapeutic and emergency shelter care along with a community child care center and independent living assistance. Construction is also underway at a new campus in North Florida. The extension, called the Madison Youth Ranch, will include residential and therapeutic care and plans for equine-assisted therapy.
“We were very impressed with Becky’s commitment to helping children become successful in their lives,” says Evans Hubbard, chairperson of the Florida Children’s Home Board of Trustees. “Becky stands out as someone who will strengthen the foundation while also forging new ground. We recognize that she will be the first female CEO in our history and we are excited to hear about her vision for where we might go as an organization.”
Dotson, a United Methodist, has a Bachelor’s Degree in Business and began her career as an accountant. “In 20 years of accounting, I did not have one inkling of a passion for a single tax return," she says. "But working with children, I feel privileged and honored that God has given me the opportunity to see His hand at work every day.”
Dotson, who took over May 1st, replaces Mike Galloway who retired at the end of April.
For more information please contact:
Merrilu Bennett
Communications & Media Coordinator
386.753.2038
President & CEO Announces Retirement
March 19, 2013
(Enterprise, FL) The Florida United Methodist Children’s Home has announced that President and CEO Mike Galloway is retiring after 45 years of professional social work and human services management experience. Nearly seven of those years were spent in his current position at the Children’s Home.
Under his guidance, the Children’s Home has been able to serve more children and families across the state by expanding residential care, as well as by adding family foster care and early childhood education services. The Children’s Home main campus is located in Enterprise, while construction is underway at its new campus in Pinetta at the Madison Youth Ranch. Foster Care Services are available in Orange, Osceola, Seminole, Hillsborough, Flagler and Volusia Counties.
“In all our conversations about the Children’s Home, the goal was how to better serve the children in our care and help them become successful in their lives” said Board of Trustees Chair Evans Hubbard. “Mike has an uncanny ability to take ideas and execute them” he added. “That skill served both Mike and our kids very well.”
Before coming to the Children’s Home, Mike served as President & CEO of the United Methodist Children’s Home of Alabama and West Florida. He has also previously served as Executive Director of several public and private child and family services organizations including the Alabama Alliance for the Mentally Ill. He also conducted professional development seminars for Dale Carnegie Training, specializing in leadership, team building and executive development and has taught at three colleges and universities.
Mike’s planned retirement date is April 30th. An executive search committee hopes to name a successor by mid April. Mike and his wife Myra are retiring to Alabama to spend more time with family. “While looking forward to spending more time with my family and personal interests, I will sorely miss the many great friendships Myra and I have developed here” Galloway said. “This is marvelous place where lives are truly changed.”
For more information please contact:
Merrilu Bennett
Communications & Media Coordinator
386.753.2038
Learn More About Becoming A Foster Parent
February 26, 2013
(Enterprise, FL) Interested in helping abused, troubled and neglected children? You can learn how to make a difference by becoming a Foster Parent. The Florida United Methodist Children’s Home is hosting a free Question and Answer session Sunday March 3rd at 3:00 p.m. in Ormond Beach. A panel of foster care professionals as well as a former foster child will be on hand to answer all of your questions.
Who: Florida United Methodist Children’s Home Open Hearts Program
What: Foster Parent Q & A Session
Where: Salty Church
221 Vining Ct.
Ormond Beach, FL 32176
When: Sunday March 3, 2103
3:00 p.m.
To register to attend, call John Gill at (386) 299-8142 or email him at John.Gill@fumch.org. To learn more about the Florida United Methodist Children’s Home and opportunities to support children and families, please contact Merrilu Bennett at merrilu.bennett@fumch.org.
The event is sponsored by Open Hearts Family Services, a part of the Florida United Methodist Children’s Home.
First Key Staff Appointments Announced for Madison Youth Ranch
December 21, 2012
(Pinetta, FL) The Florida United Methodist Children’s Home is pleased to announce the first two key appointments to staff for the Madison Youth Ranch in Pinetta, FL. The Ranch will serve as the Children’s Home “North Campus” providing hundreds of neglected, abused and troubled children with a safe haven through residential and therapeutic care. A groundbreaking ceremony was held in September.
Mike Moore has been appointed to the position of Director of Operations effective December 31, 2012. He will manage the preparation of the grounds for construction of the buildings included in Phase One. He will also be responsible for oversight and maintenance of grounds, facilities, and equipment. Mike had worked for Volusia County Schools in transportation and recently coordinated construction of an $8 million facility.
Ruth Moore has accepted appointment to the position of Director of Administrative Services & Community Relations. She brings 28 years of experience with the Children’s Home to the position, the last 10 of which have been as executive assistant to the President & CEO. She will continue in that role until her appointment takes effect May 1, 2013.
President & CEO Mike Galloway recently announced the appointments saying, “Mike and Ruth bring a unique set of skills and experiences. Their commitment to the Florida United Methodist Children’s Home is unquestionable.”
Depending on funding, the Madison Youth Ranch hopes to begin accepting residents sometime in 2014.
For more information contact:
Merrilu Bennett
Communication & Media Coordinator
386.753.2038
Bikers Raise Money for Abused & Neglected Children
Hundreds Expected Saturday November 10th
November 2, 2012
(Enterprise, FL) Hundreds of motorcyclists are expected to converge in Central Florida, Saturday November 10th for the fifth annual Hope Bike Run to raise money for the Florida United Methodist Children's Home.
Bikers will begin the 100 mile route Saturday morning starting at four different locations including DeLeon Springs, Leesburg, Melbourne and Ocala. They are all scheduled to arrive at the Children’s Home sometime around noon.
Several of the bikers have a firsthand connection to the Children’s Home. One is a former resident, and another is a former law enforcement officer who worked with previous residents.
Following a brief program at the Children's Home in Enterprise, bikers will then travel to Osteen for a silent auction and other activities.
The Florida United Methodist Children's Home cares for more than 400 abused, abandoned, and neglected children. This includes residential, emergency shelter, therapeutic group, independent living, and foster care.
For more information please contact:
Merrilu Bennett
Communications & Media Coordinator
386.753.2038
New Home Helps Troubled Children
Children’s Home Expands to North Florida
August 29, 2012
(Pinetta, FL) Hundreds of abused, neglected and troubled children in North Florida may soon have a new place to call home. The Florida United Methodist Children’s Home near Orlando is reaching out to those children by expanding and building a new home near Tallahassee.
The Madison Youth Ranch will be built on 300 acres in Pinetta, Florida. While it will serve children from across the state most referrals will come from churches and other agencies in North Florida. A groundbreaking ceremony will be held on site September 18th at 11:00 a.m. More than 200 people are expected to attend.
The vision for the new campus began in 2010 when a handful of area residents wanted to build a home for troubled youth in the Madison area. Pledges were made including donations of land and financial gifts.
The Madison Youth Ranch will include residential and therapeutic care as well plans to implement Equine Assisted Therapy. Site plan drawings are available as well as additional photos of the location.
For more information please contact:
Merrilu Bennett
Communications & Media Coordinator
386.753.2038
Clergy Leaders Needed to Help Find Foster Parents
Deadline to RSVP is August 8th
July 24, 2012
(Enterprise, FL) The Florida United Methodist Children’s Home (FUMCH), in conjunction with the Community Partnership for Children (CPC) is reaching out to clergy of all faiths in an effort to help them find Foster Parents.
FUMCH operates a program known as Open Hearts Family Services, which is contracted by CPC and operates in several satellite locations across the state. Like many other agencies the non-profit organization is facing a critical shortage of foster parents.
The Children’s Home is asking leaders from all congregations in Orange, Osceola, Seminole, Volusia, Flagler, Putnam and St John's Counties to attend a free dinner August 30th. The deadline to RSVP is August 8th.
At the dinner, Open Hearts and CPC leaders will discuss the benefits and rewards of fostering and/or adopting children.
The dinner will be held at the Calvary Christian Center located at 1687 West Granada Boulevard in Ormond Beach from 6:00-8:00 p.m. To register please contact Lisa Smith at Lisa Smith or call 386.738.3663. If you are interested in learning more about the Florida United Methodist Children’s Home or it’s Open Hearts Family Services Program, please contact Merrilu Bennett or call 386.753.2038.
Florida United Methodist Children’s Home Announces Plans To Build Youth Ranch in Madison, Florida
January 17, 2012 -- On January 17, at 8:30 a.m., The Florida United Methodist Children’s Home will hold a special Leadership Breakfast on the 22nd Floor of the Capitol Building in Tallahassee, where we will unveil the conceptual design for a new Youth Ranch in Madison, Florida.
Overall Site Plan (PDF)
For more information contact:
Merrilu Bennett
Communications & Media Cooordinator
Florida United Methodist Children's Home
386.753.2038