Mike and Pam Bean receive the 2009 Thomas E. Roberts Award
The 2009 awards were presented at the Annual Workshop Luncheon held in Plano, Texas, on June 23rd. Award recipients are featured on this web page in recognition of their outstanding contribution to childcare.
Mike and Pam Bean received the 2009 Thomas E. Roberts Award
and were joined by boys from their home.
For the past 7 years Mike and Pam Bean have been a very positive force for the boys living at the Ranch. Mike and Pam came to work at the Ranch in May of 2002. In June of 2004 we opened a new campus in Albany, TX. When I was looking for the staff to open our new home Mike and Pam expressed an interest in being the houseparents at our Albany home. Mike and Pam were without a doubt the pefect couple to start our new program in Albany. They have woven our boys into the fabric of the community. Because of their commitment to the boys and the Ranch the Albany campus is thriving. The boys are involved in the school, church and community. If the community is looking for a group to take responsibility for a project our boys and staff are always willing to volunteer. This is a direct result of the leadership of Mike and Pam. The support of the Albany community is overwhelming.
Demonstration of Professionalism in Their Position
This story will define their "professionalism" when dealing with a hurting child. Mike and Pam lost their only son the summer after he graduated from high school. At one point, a young man was angry at Mike and he said, "I bet your son is glad he's not here anymore and not having to put up with you"! Mike mustered all the control that he could find and left the room and called a supervisor to deal with the young man. Even after that awful comment about their son, Mike always treated that young man with respect.
Commitment to Children in Care
The Bean's home is the boys home! With each new season and holiday that arrives, the home is decorated and has the smell of the season. When you walk in you feel like you are walking into the warmest home you have ever seen. They make sure each boy in their care is treated as an individual. Mike and Pam are always willing to look at ways to help a young man who is struggling. They seek to find solutions to the challenges they face with the boys. They are open to trying a new technique with a child if what they have been doing is not successful. They attend all the events that the kids are involved in; traveling to football, basketball, baseball games, track meets, band contests, stockshows and many other activities.
Character and Dedication
Their character is a testimony to their love of God. It has been said that "character is who you are when no one but God is watching". Mike and Pam are faithful Christians that model their belief in all that they do. They are honest, sincere and committed to teaching the same qualities to the boys in their care.
The Beans have been with us long enough now to start receiving the "residual benefits" of our profession, i.e. the boys returning and saying "thank you for not giving up on me". Their former boys are now returning to their home for Christmas as well as any other time they are in the area. They also receive calls and e-mails from boys who just were thinking about something that they experienced while living with them. When staff are dedicated to children, the benefits never stop coming!
Contribution to Programs and Services
Mike and Pam both offer other skills to our program. Pam is a certified first aide trainer, she provides all of our staff with required training. Mike was a police officer assigned to the youth department prior to coming to the Ranch. He received training in identifying child abuse, and he now provides training to our staff on identifying child abuse. They are always willing to do what is needed to make sure that the boys have the best life we can provide to them. When you work in a small agency, everyone must pitch in to make the program work. Mike and Pam are great "pitchers"!
Kerry Fortune, President of Ben Richey Boys Ranch presented
Mike and Pam Bean with the 2009 Thomas E. Roberts Award.
When boys have houseparents like Mike and Pam, the boys have wonderful childhood memories. When a home has staff like the Beans, they make everyone's job better. The Beans have a great future ahead of them; they are making a difference in the lives of young men that many people had given up all hope for. They give a child a reason to have hope for a better future.
President, Ben Richey Boys Ranch