Celebrating Community, In Unity

Thank you, volunteers!

At Board of Child Care, we firmly believe that volunteers are the lifeblood of our mission. Their selfless dedication and unwavering support have been instrumental in driving positive change and creating a lasting impact on the lives of those we serve. Recently, we had the privilege of hosting our Volunteer Annual Meeting – back together in person after four long years – and the experience was a heartwarming reminder that Board of Child Care is a family of compassionate souls bound by the shared desire to enrich communities, one family at a time.

The meeting was also an occasion to acknowledge the dedication and commitment of our long-standing volunteers. Even as we transitioned from the Auxiliary to the Volunteer Corps, many of our volunteers have been with us for several years, and their loyalty has been a guiding light for others to follow. To honor the history of volunteerism at Board of Child Care – and the irreplaceable impact of volunteer service – we created and awarded the inaugural Auxiliary Award. This year’s recipient was Barbara Dougherty!

“When I first met Barbara, she was the President of the Washington West District of the Board of Child Care Auxiliary, and I was a brand-new Key Person for Providence UMC. Barbara served for many years as the Conference Treasurer for the Auxiliary. When I was Conference President, Barbara was the one who was always there by my side. The two of us worked together to maintain the Auxiliary programs for the youth and families served by BCC. Barbara was most generous with her time and talent, as well as her donations to the work we did. Her dedication to those the Auxiliary served meant so much, not only to the youth, but also the staff who knew her well. Barbara has a true heart for service!” – Sue Everhart (Member, Board of Child Care’s Board of Directors)

 

The Volunteer Annual Meeting provided an opportunity for volunteers to connect with one another on a deeper level. Friendships were forged, and networks were expanded, creating a strong support system that extends beyond the walls of our organization. The sense of camaraderie and shared passion has strengthened our collective resolve to tackle even greater challenges in the future.

As we celebrate the impact of our volunteers, it’s important to recognize that their efforts and actions create a ripple effect that touches the lives of countless individuals and communities. By volunteering their time, skills, and compassion, they inspire others to join the cause, creating a chain reaction of positive change that knows no bounds.

If you are not already, we invite you to consider becoming a member of the Volunteer Corps and experience the profound joy of giving back. No matter your background or expertise, there is a place for you in our organization. Your unique talents and perspective contribute to the transformative work we do in countless, meaningful ways. Want to help Board of Child Care connect with like-minded, mission focused congregations and community groups? Simply click here to request a guest speaker!

To our volunteers, we extend our deepest gratitude – you are the heart and soul of our organization, and we are immensely proud to have you by our side. Let us forge ahead – celebrating community in unity – and continue this special work together!

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In Memory of Rev. Margaret “Peggy” Herr Spengler

A Letter from Laurie Anne Spagnola, President & CEO

The best volunteers don’t necessarily have the time; they just have the heart.

On March 6, 2022, Board of Child Care (BCC) lost a longtime volunteer and loyal friend, Reverend Margaret “Peggy” Herr Spengler.

Peggy was a “semi” retired United Methodist Pastor in the Central Pennsylvania Conference of the United Methodist Church for more than 29 years. She served in many pastoral positions and other roles, most currently as Prayer Minister for New Cumberland through Trinity United Methodist Church.

For Peggy, volunteering was a family tradition. Her father, Nelson Spengler, served on the United Methodist Home for Children (UMHC) Board of Trustees for many years and Peggy assumed his board position when he retired. Peggy served as the co-coordinator for the Auxiliary in Pennsylvania and led UMHC’s Christmas candlelight service on gift opening night from 2014 to 2019. We were fortunate to welcome Peggy to the BCC Board of Directors following the merger of UMHC and BCC in 2019. Her generosity of spirit was a tremendous asset as we worked to bring together the shared history and mission of both organizations, and we remain grateful for her time and thoughtful leadership.

My thoughts and prayers are with Peggy’s family as they mourn her loss and celebrate her life of service. Peggy will be missed by everyone at BCC who was so fortunate to have known her. Please click here to view Peggy’s obituary.

In fond memory,

 

 

Laurie Anne Spagnola, MSW
President & CEO

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It’s Official!

BCC has earned its EAGLE reaccreditation!

Educational Assessment Guidelines Leading toward Excellence (EAGLE) is the only faith-based accrediting body in the world, focusing on ministry with older adults and children. EAGLE challenges organizations not just to compete in a challenging human services environment, but to soar above the competition while living their faith values.

BCC’s reaccreditation process was conducted in November of 2021. We are proud of the commendations from the EAGLE Accreditation Commission, including feedback that our values are prominent throughout every level and location of the organization, and our clearly articulated strategy on advocacy allows us to focus our collective efforts to make real progress at the state and national level.

We are grateful to our Board of Directors, leadership, and staff for their commitment to excellence and ensuring our ability to earn accreditation for another four years!

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Become A Champion for Kids in Central PA!

Open House Job Fair in Mechanicsburg, PA

We have immediate full-time openings for rewarding human services work with youth ages 12 – 21 in our Mechanicsburg, PA residential program. We are currently recruiting for 2nd and 3rd shift employees; applicants must be at least 21 years of age and able to pass background clearances and a physical examination.

Please join us for our Open House Job Fair! Learn more about open positions and/or interview on the spot.

Open House Job Fair
Wednesday, February 9, 2022
9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
2:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.

United Methodist Home for Children (A Board of Child Care Program)
5120 Simpson Ferry Road, Mechanicsburg, PA 17050

Current Open Positions Include:
Bilingual Child Care Worker Floater (Up To $2,000 Sign On Bonus)
Caminos Unit Supervisor
Child Care Worker (Sign On Bonus $2000)
Registered Nurse
Residential Child Care Worker ($500 Sign On Bonus)
Youth Care Professional – Residential ($500 Sign On Bonus)
Youth Care Assistant – Residential – Temporary Summer Position

For more information, call:
Kendra Maley, Human Resources Coordinator
717-766-7652 x219

If you are unable to attend the Open House, you can apply by faxing your resume to 717-766-4490 or emailing kmaley@boardofchildcare.org.

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Announcing BCC’s New Executive Director for Caminos Programs

Meet Our Newest Member of the Executive Leadership Team

Board of Child Care is thrilled to announce Kelly Berger as our new Executive Director for Caminos Programs. As a member of BCC’s Executive Leadership Team, Kelly will oversee the Caminos Programs in Maryland, West Virginia, and Pennsylvania, as well as Caminos Nacional and the Home Study / Post Release Services Program.  As she transitions into this role, Kelly’s focus will be on developing and strengthening the newest Caminos service lines while also supporting the existing integration of Caminos residential and community-based services within the BCC continuum of care.

Working with youth and families for over 20 years, Kelly is excited to continue her journey by providing leadership to the Caminos program.  Believing that all young people deserve to feel safe and supported, families should be together, and everyone deserves the opportunity to live their life to its fullest potential, Kelly is proud of BCC’s commitment to supporting the growth and impact of the Caminos program since its inception in 2014.

Kelly holds a Master’s degree in Social Work from Florida International University and dual Bachelor’s degrees in Biology and Psychology from Assumption College.  She is certified through the University of Maryland to provide trauma treatment for children and youth and is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker – Clinical in Maryland.  Kelly’s experience extends into macro areas of social work and includes the dissemination of implementation strategy, innovative program design and development, and social sector advocacy.

Outside of work, Kelly enjoys living in Baltimore City with her partner and their dog. She balances city life with a love of travel and frequent excursions to the woods, where she can likely be found wandering along a trail or climbing a mountain.

 

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BCC’s Leadership Statement on the Kyle Rittenhouse Verdict


May God bless you with anger

At injustice, oppression, and exploitation of people.
So that you may work for justice, freedom, and peace

May God bless you with tears,
To shed for those who suffer pain, rejection, hunger, and war.
So that you may reach out your hand to comfort them and to turn their pain to joy.

And may God bless you with enough foolishness
To believe that you can make a difference in the world.
So that you can do what others claim cannot be done to bring justice and kindness to all our children and the poor.

– A Franciscan Blessing

On Friday, November 19th, 2021, a “not guilty on all counts” verdict related to Kyle Rittenhouse was announced to the world. This verdict reopened wounds for many and reminded us that justice seems out of reach and many times not just for people of color. It is clear, we still have a long way to go in achieving a racially just and equitable society. This verdict, while extremely disappointing, is not an anomaly. In addition, there are a variety of opinions and feelings about the verdict.

Board of Child Care stands with and by our colleagues of color. You have our support, our voice, our empathy, and our action. We will use our power, platform, and privilege to lead meaningful, strategic, and systemic change at BCC. We will change what we can and know that making a place where everyone in our BCC experiences a healthy culture where each of us can engage with joy and purpose is one of our most important challenges. We will use our empathy skills to seek first to understand and work hard to find common ground in our rich diversity at BCC.

Coping as a Community

Speak up when you experience or witness intolerance, mistreatment, or bias in action. No matter what the issue, say something. If you don’t know what to say, start by asking, “What did you mean by that?” Listen, then respond calmly based on facts. Saying nothing when such instances arise condones the discrimination or microaggression. Here’s a powerful and short clip on microaggressions: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hDd3bzA7450.

Create an inclusive environment for everyone. Seek different perspectives and respect points of view and communication styles that are different from your own. Don’t know how to talk about race? The National Museum on African American History and Culture offers a great resource – check it out here: https://nmaahc.si.edu/learn/talking-about-race.

Process your feelings. Disappointments like this can feel traumatizing, especially for members of marginalized groups. Talking to your supervisor, in teams, with friends and loved ones can help. BCC also makes mental health resources available for times when you may need more support through an Employee Assistance Program.

Flex Our Core Value of EMPATHY. Seek first to understand, as there may be differences of opinion. Try to stand in your colleagues’ shoes to understand what support they might need to feel community and belonging at BCC.

We can only heal and grow better together by listening and learning, by having courageous conversations, and by cultivating a trusting environment where all people feel safe, respected, and empowered to voice their ideas, thoughts, and concerns. When we behave this way, we can set an example for our communities in the Mid-Atlantic. We need to do better—and we can.

Warmly,

Laurie Anne “LA” Spagnola
President & CEO

Read more from BCC’s Leadership Statement on the Kyle Rittenhouse Verdict