LUCY RANGEL

The Baptist Children’s Home provides assistance to children ages 7 to 17 that are waiting to be put into foster care or returned to their parents or legal guardians. Lucy Rangel began to volunteer at Baptist Children’s Home a few years ago after she saw the girls and the lack of love that they so desperately needed. She looks forward to her volunteer service and it is fulfilling for her each time she visits.

Many of the youth at Baptist Children’s Home wanted to know why Rangel came and why she wanted to help them. As time went by, the girls began to get to know Rangel as a volunteer as well as a friend that cared about them. Rangel has become an integral part of the children’s lives and guides them with her advice, love and support.

Rangel spends every other Saturday in the Baptist Home spending time with the youth. Sometimes she just talks to them, and other times she is there merely to listen. She takes the time to learn about them and even teaches them to sew, bake, cook and how to be ladies. The most important thing Rangel does is to let them know they are important and they can all reach their goals in life. She leads them by example and shows them where hard work can take them.

When Rangel visits, she is an active volunteer. She has days where she is scheduled; however, some days she comes by to check in on the girls. Those extra visits do not go unnoticed; in fact they mean a great deal to the children.

During her tenure at the Baptist Home, Rangel has encountered some difficult children who are hurt and looking for love. They need acceptance but do not know how to ask for help. Rangel has especially taken to many of them and does not give up. She sees they have had difficult pasts and need to learn positive ways to deal with their past hurts and anger. Rangel looks to find new ways of dealing with their pain.

Most of the children Rangel works with at the Baptist Home come with no hopes or dreams. They have been told that they cannot do anything right and they will not amount to anything. Rangel refuses to accept that and works with each and every one of the children, whether it is in a group setting or individually. She works to open a door to the things they have been missing all of their young lives. She teaches them about self-esteem, self-confidence, and self-love. The children now realize they are wonderful human beings and they can set goals for themselves.