Photography by LORI SPARKMAN PHOTOGRAPHY
Fellow Arkansans – neighbors, colleagues and friends – are sharing a light of peace, kindness and generosity that makes The Natural State a little brighter. Inviting Arkansas and Methodist Family Health celebrate individuals who illuminate our community with goodness. Nominate someone today for a future feature that SHINES.
Emily Shields and Nicholas Rucker share their personal perspective of the compelling service and resouces Methodist Family Health provides. It’s this narrative of hope and transformation that improves lives, made possible by individuals like Emily and Nicholas.
Emily joined Methodist Family Health when she and her husband relocated to Arkansas from Ohio to serve as teaching parents at a therapeutic group home in Lexa. She transitioned into the role of program consultant and celebrated her 15th anniversary with the organization. With admiration Emily shares, “The mission of Methodist Family Health is to give the best possible care to those who need our help. I am so proud to be part of an agency that serves children and families in times of great need – offering light in hard, dark spaces.” Nicholas started a career with Methodist Family Health at the Benton Day Treatment Program in 2014. After several years, he shifted to the Qualified Residential Treatment Program in Little Rock. Together, Emily and Nicholas are an unwavering pillar of strength for the clients of Methodist Family Health. Nicholas emphasizes, “Our programs offer the highest standard of care to address the complex needs of children and families throughout the state.”
This dynamic duo provide structured care and quality treatment as well as teaching valuable social skills and independent living to some of the state’s most vulnerable residents. Emily expounds, “It is a unique niche; we work solely with youth experiencing placement in foster care for a set amount of time so that they can achieve their goals and gain traction to move on to the next step.” That next step might be reunification with family, foster care, adoption, independence, applying for college or entering the workforce.
This reflects the heart of the the Methodist Family Health mission – offering a complete continuum of care for Arkansas children who are abandoned, abused, neglected and struggling with psychiatric, behavioral, emotional and spiritual issues. Initiatives like the Qualified Residential Treatment Program cultivate an environment where children not only receive care but the necessary skills for a brighter future. Emily beams, “Every time a light comes on for one of our kids – whether it’s behavioral progress such as adopting a new positive habit or discovering a new passion like music or cooking; or maybe it’s a significant milestone like high school graduation or achieving the rank of an Eagle Scout – all these breakthrough moments inspire me to keep moving.”
Both Emily and Nicholas have daily reminders of the remarkable resilience demonstrated by children, especially those who have experienced trauma. Emily believes in helping these individuals recognize their potential and guiding them to “use their powers for good.” This philosophy allows ample opportunity for personal growth. Nicholas concludes, “Our children are my inspiration. Each time someone meets a goal, even a small one, it reminds me of the importance of this work.”
Both Emily and Nicholas have daily reminders of the remarkable resilience demonstrated by children, especially those who have experienced trauma. Emily believes in helping these individuals recognize their potential and guiding them to “use their powers for good.” This philosophy allows ample opportunity for personal growth. Nicholas concludes, “Our children are my inspiration. Each time someone meets a goal, even a small one, it reminds me of the importance of this work.”
Sponsored by Methodist Family Health | Nominations accepted at Foundation@MethodistFamily.org
methodistfamily.org | #ShareTheLightandSHINE
