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Friends United Meeting |
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September 2001
White's Celebrates 150 Years Caring for Children
By Carrie Makin
Every 150 years or so, it's good to have a big weekend celebration like we held in June at White's Residential & Family Services, near Wabash, Indiana. It gave those of us who work here the opportunity to discover the rich heritage of White's. We saw God's handprint as we dug through historical records. We saw His face shining through the photographs and in the faces of the many servants who poured their lives into the lives of children. His fruit was evident in those who had passed through our doors and had, as a result, become stronger.
It was good to see how God worked through a simple Quaker man, Josiah White, as He gave him the vision and resources to create a safe place where children receive education, spiritual direction and care. We can't help but feel privileged to be a part of an amazing legacy.
And so, on the special occasion of our Sesquicentennial, we celebrated God's goodness to the ministry of White's. Included in the celebration was a special Chapel Dedication and Alumni Reunion. Over 550 individuals joined us on a beautifully, sunny day to enjoy a hog roast picnic, childrenŐs games, campus tours and historical museum.
In the afternoon, we gathered at the chapel to hear testimonies and affirmations of the ministry. Old blended with new throughout the chapel dedication. As the present pastor, Mike Hornback offered the opening prayer, White's first full-time pastor, Lowell Kester listened from the audience. Development Director Bob Schloss acknowledged the humbleness he felt as he looked out to the overflow capacity crowd and realized the tremendous support of White's ministry.
The girls' choir, White's Harmony, gave praise to God through songs, as did the Christian music group, BASIX, of Yorba Linda, California.
White's Executive Director Dee Gibson spoke of the importance of the chapel ministry over the years and how it continues today, giving children a sense of belonging and of family. She stressed the importance of helping children in a world full of violence and about White's role in society.
A video presentation provided reflections of the spiritual life program. Included were photos from a recent missions trip where students learned to serve others, becoming living testimonies of God's love to others.
Former board member, Arthur Hodson, spoke about the ministry of White's. "Children here are taught to love God and obey His will," he said. "I am proud to support and pray for an organization like this." Hodson also thanked each person who had supported White's by contributing to the renovation of the chapel. "Whether you gave a little or a lot, when you pool it all together, we got the job done!" he said.
Taylor University Chancellor Jay Kesler, affirmed the importance of the staff at White's. "It's not the building, it's the people," he said. "You are White's. [You] are teaching by example. The children learn by watching." He also stressed the importance of a ministry such as White's, helping children through turbulent times. "They need a place to belong," he said, "a place where they can go and be accepted."
Hearing from former students, we saw the fruit of many labors. Horace Wilkinson, a 1959 graduate of White's and a CPA from Dallas, Texas, came from a fatherless home in need of structure. At White's he found people who cared and encouraged him to succeed. "They could give you that look of disapproval when you did something wrong," he said. "But they would just as quickly give you a smile at the least sign of perceived accomplishment."
Today's youth are still in need of a moral compass and he encouraged the staff to continue to provide that direction. "I can tell you with certainty that you do make a difference," he said.
Wilkinson also paid tribute to former superintendent Robert Curless who was personally involved in his life. "You gave me encouragement and hired staff who kept life relevant," he told Curless, "and it helped me to turn my life around."
For former student, Dawn Anderson, turning her life around didn't come as quickly. While at White's from 1984 to 1986, she did find what it would take to change her life. "It wasn't until I came to White's that I owned a Bible or was in a Bible study," she said. "And it wasn't until I came here that I really felt like I wasn't a loser and I wasn't unimportant."
But when she returned home, she found her environment hadn't changed much and she was faced with the same struggles. It wasn't until her son, Josh, was born that she decided to make some changes. "I knew I didn't want to give him the same kind of life I had growing up, she said. "I knew from this place that it was God who was going to be able to change my life, my child's life and my marriage. And He's been faithful to do that."
"I learned through this experience that God did love me," she said. Tearfully she shared her joy at picking up her 9 year-old-son from church camp just before the reunion and hearing him say he was "on fire for the Lord."
"I just want to encourage you who work here that when you give to one person, it just carries on," she added. "You will see the rewards one day and God will bless you for that. I am a soul that was saved through White's. My soul will be in heaven to celebrate!"
Similar stories of success were shared the next day as over 150 alumni came from across the United States for the Alumni Reunion. There were tears of joy and happiness as former teacher Hilda Clarke greeted one of her former students. She told me, "Sister, do you know that I prayed for him for so long, just praying somehow he would make it, and here he is. He made it. He's alright." His life was her reward.
It was also rewarding to hear about the alumni's lives and their successes. Jim Todd (1960 graduate), a former All-American and pro football player, shared during the Alumni Program how coming to White's was God-inspired. He had been a child picking cotton in Mississippi before moving to a gang-infested neighborhood in Michigan. There he was found in a children's home by a former White's staff member. He credited Curless for helping to bring him to White's and influencing his life. "What he did for me went beyond getting me to White's," he said. "He extended the love he had for his immediate family to me on a personal level. He made me a son."
Todd noted the same care and concern were shown by other staff members. "[My successes] occurred because so many were willing to work with me above the average amount of time," he said. Todd noted that his football coach was also his tutor, teaching him excellence on and off the field. According to Todd, it was this foundation that led him to pursue education as a career and earn his doctorate degree. He is now the owner of Todd & Associates, Houston, Texas, which aids educational institutions in setting up financial aid programs so students who desire an education can find the financial help to meet that goal.
Other lessons learned from White's were shared among the alums. It was amazing to hear how former student George Nichols served in Viet Nam after leaving White's and was a POW for a period of time. The Bible he received when he left White's was in his backpack that was left behind at the time of his capture. He worried about that Bible and wondered if he would ever see it again. According to Nichols, it was the self-discipline he learned at White's that helped him to survive captivity, and upon his release, to be presented with that same Bible. Ironically, when Nichols helped open the time capsule at the Alumni Program, he found a White's Bible inside.
There was a moment of recognition for a man described as a "mysterious alum" by White's Principal, Lew Curless. Recognition that brought tears to the eyes of Robert Curless as his son described briefly the man who was father to so many. Curless described the day as "one of the greatest days of my life" and received a standing ovation.
Over and over there were testimonies of how being at White's as children contributed to successful lives. The hard work of the farm days, and the loving care from staff members were recurring themes. Through all of their stories, the message was clear. It is God who works through faithful servants and in the lives children at White's.
The weekend celebration gave us all a time to be thankful for what God has done and continues to do through White's. And, it was encouraging to hear about successes from former students in the midst of our service here. As many said that weekend, "It makes it all worthwhile." It's enough to keep us going for the next 150 years!
Copyright (c) 2001 Friends United Meeting
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