I lived at the Masonic Home for Children for almost 10 years. When I first arrived, like any child, I was scared and sad to be away from home. In no time, I made tons of friends, quickly became involved in all of the sports offered and also began to excel in my academics. MHCO provided me with the social skills I use every day in my profession and personal life. I am an independent, successful woman and believe these traits were obtained by learning to accomplish simple duties, which were required during my stay at MHCO. I now have the courage to know that our dreams don’t have to be fantasies, but actual goals which can be achieved by anyone.

I was fortunate that a room and an opportunity were available to me, my brother, and two sisters here. I now support MHCO because I want to guarantee that same opportunity for children in need today. I know firsthand what this home – my home in Oxford – gives a child, because it was given to me. It was provided by those (child care workers) who helped raise me; by the teachers, coaches, and chaplains; by the staff of the Home who taught me with guidance, care, and stability, the basic values and morals of life. I was supported by every donor, friend and believer in this Home, many of whom never saw my face or heard my story, but who vowed to give me an opportunity to live, grow, and learn.

At the age of 3, I was placed at the Home for Children with my three older brothers. I would remain there until graduation at age 17. Any attempt to accurately describe the consequences of this turn of fate or destiny would fail badly. I was taught the value of personal discipline and the need to respect others. It instilled in me a powerful work ethic and it provided me with the essentials to live a fulfilling and gratifying life. I am now Vice President for a transport company. My wife and I are the incredibly proud parents of two daughters, both college graduates. It is impossible to imagine how different my life would be today had I not been raised at MHCO.

I was 6 years old when I was dropped off and remember thinking “I won’t be here long, I really don’t like it here!” Ten years passed quickly and “Here” had become “Home.” I had 100 brothers and sisters that I lived with, played with, and went to school with. I learned that no matter what my background was, I always had a family and a cottage parent that loved me and all the other children. I am 23 years old now, with a beautiful wife, a 2 year old son, and a career in the U.S. Coast Guard. I really don’t think I would be where I am today if I hadn’t been raised at the Home. I look back on my childhood and think that it couldn’t have been better.

When I was 15, I ran away because of circumstances beyond my control. I moved from friend’s house to friend’s house, but stayed in school because I felt like it was my only way out. My grades were good and it seemed like one of the few things I was proud of. My uncle told me about the Masonic Home when I was 16 and I decided to go. I look back on that decision and realize what a miracle it was for me to be accepted into a place that truly stands in as the type of parents I had always needed, but never really had. Today, I am about to earn my Master’s Degree in Mental Health Counseling, have a wonderful family and a full-time job working with troubled youth.