
The Florida United Methodist Children’s Home in Enterprise is changing its name and identity. Established in 1908, the 116-year-old orphanage and care center for youngsters is now officially known as Residing Hope. The new name, according to the agency’s leaders, “expresses optimism and the opportunity for a better life for the children and youth we serve.”
So you’re rebranding so that when people Google your campus they won’t find how Security, Mike Ellis was murdered there. Or how the 2 kids ran off campus, broken into a home, and had a shootout with the police. Along with alllll of the other things that have been swept under the rug there that were never reported. All while the top people live in mansions for free and make 6 figures.
Give the new administration the benefit of doubt… these services are desperately needed and hopefully they can turn their reputation around. What’s past is past. Let them start a new chapter before casting judgement.
They still have the CEO…explain what has changed.
My father and his brothers were raised there in the 30’s. A lot of memories they shared over the years.
They help troubled kids, so sometimes they are going to cause trouble. Their finances are all open to the public. No one is receiving some kind of large salary for working their. If someone is wealthy and serving on the board it is because they are using their wealth to give back to the children’s home, not the other way around.
Yah let’s ignore the safety issues which have caused an employee murder and multiple employee injuries because they consistently take in kids they don’t have the ability to care for so they can make more money. It’s all about money. If the top people took a little off their salary Mike would still be alive and those injuries wouldn’t have happened because they would have hired the VCSO staff and VCSO begged them to get to ensure safety.
I can’t speak on behalf of the Children’s Home. I am a pastor in the Florida Conference. What happened to Mike was a terrible tragedy. We will never know if it could have been prevented. I assure you, safety is a huge priority. No one, absolutely no one, is in this work for the money. They have made a huge positive difference in the lives of so many. I am sorry for your loss and I hope that you can find peace.
Let’s talk about kids they have served too since no one cares about their employees. How about the little girl who was abused by her Brother who was placed there against a restraining order and she was kept inside for weeks because if she saw her Brother it would have caused her more trauma. Or the kid who hung himself there because he couldn’t go home because he abused his non-verbal sister. Or the kid that was beat by 4 or 5 boys and he was told he deserved it. Or the girl who was kicked out because she cut herself so bad with a razor she bought from another girl in a Behavioral cottage. Or the 14 year old girl who had sex in the street with a 17 year old who turned 18 the very next day. Or how about the kids they have allowed Staff to adopt and have been brought back to unadopt them. Or how about the Michael Boland incidents resulting in another death of a kid from there….
As a worker in child welfare for several years. This work is hard these days. Glad there are still places for kids to go
😳
Jessica,
Could you give me a call please. Pat Frank
850 694 8723