Author: Elaine Brelsford

Linda Angle Holds the Reins to 10 years at Boys Home

Linda Angle began her career at Boys Home as a houseparent more than 10 years ago, along with her husband, Ronnie, who is now a member of the maintenance department. She grew up in Alleghany County and was very familiar with Boys Home and the individuals it serves.

Angle started as a houseparent for students in early high school, but she has since transitioned to caring for elementary and middle school aged children. “This age is the most fun,” Angle shares. “I enjoy teaching them new and different things. They like to learn.”

Angle also helps with the equine program on campus and believes that one could draw parallels in working with the students and working with the horses. “They both require a calm, level approach. You have to earn their trust.”

She goes on to explain that students learn a lot from working with the horses. “The horses can reflect the mood and demeanor of the boy,” shares Angle. “Students learn to balance being firm and affectionate. Because the horses tend to mimic the boys’ behavior, they must control their moods to effectively work with the horses.” She acknowledges that the students’ success in training is all in how they act and react to the horses. Learning to positively manage their reactions in life is an important behavioral skill for the young men at Boys Home.

Associate Director of Program Chad Whitmer credits Angle with being a true asset to Boys Home and having a solid work ethic. Angle states that her longevity in one of the most challenging positions is because of the students. “It’s the kids that keep me here,” she explains.

Jessica Rhine Marks 5 Years with Boys Home

Jessica Rhine is no stranger to the Alleghany Highlands, as her mother’s family is from the area. She moved to Alleghany County on Christmas Day 2015. In February of 2016, Rhine was hired a houseparent for Boys Home – a position she still holds.

Prior to moving to the area, Rhine received her degree in psychology from Black Hills State University in South Dakota. She has lived in a variety of places all over the world and describes herself as a “military brat.” One of her favorite memories is working for a resort in Guam. She was a guide for snorkeling tours, a lifeguard and gave windsurfing lessons.

Today, Rhine says that her position at Boys Home is exactly where she wants to be at this stage of her life. She continued by stating that, “being a houseparent is difficult, but working directly with the kids is very rewarding. It’s the only job I ever want to do here.”

Rhine plans to stay at Boys Home for at least another 5 years. She is also continuing her educational journey and has completed half of her bachelor’s degree in elementary education.

Associate Director of Program Chad Whitmer, Rhine’s supervisor, describes her as calm, assertive, and sincere, which are the qualities that are needed to be successful as a Boys Home houseparent.

Click here for more information about Boys Home, or you can donate online at givetoboyshome.org.

Josh Brown’s Roots Run Deep and Continue to Grow After 5 Years with Boys Home

Josh Brown says he has known about Boys Home for as long as he can remember. As a young person being raised in the Alleghany Highlands and a student in the Alleghany Public School system, he attended school with many of the residents of Boys Home. 

Brown graduated from Alleghany High School in 1996 and went to work with a landscaping company in Blacksburg. While learning the trade, he met his wife who was attending Radford University at the time. He has over 25 years of experience in landscaping and management.

After some time working and living in Roanoke, Brown and his wife moved back to the area in December of 2015.  The plan was to take over the family farm – a 330-acre sustainable forest – which they have done. In addition, Brown found a position at Boys Home and was hired as the landscape manager. He says he was approached shortly thereafter to manage some outdoor activities for the students.

To say that Brown enjoys his position may be an understatement. “It’s a dream job,” he stated. “There are a lot of really great days being outside, getting my hands dirty, and helping the young men at Boys Home realize their potential.”

When asked to share a few thoughts, Brown’s supervisor, Director of Support Services Robert Trice, shared that, “Josh is our go-to for everything outdoors. He plans and executes the hiking, camping and kayaking trips that our students love so much. He is a trustworthy and dependable employee that is a pleasure to work with.”

Brown shared that the benefits of being at Boys Home are really twofold: “I signed up to be the landscape manager, a career that I love, but I also have the opportunity to make a positive impact on the lives of these young men, teaching them and experiencing the things that I love. How much more fun can you have?”

Click here for more information about Boys Home, or you can donate online at givetoboyshome.org.

Simple Machines Are Not Necessarily Simple!

Like all great inventors, trial and error, failure and victory are what shape and mold us and ultimately help us be successful. Students at Boys Home have been learning just that this past semester with Ms. Anderson’s science class. 

Students have been studying Rube Goldberg simple machines like wheel and axles, pulleys, wedges, and inclined planes. Rube Goldberg was a cartoonist, author, and sculptor who first introduced the concept of using a series of simple machines to create a complex sequence of steps to complete a simple task. A Rube Goldberg machine (chain reaction) is a great hands-on learning experience for students.

Xavier and Noe employed an inclined plane and wheel and axle to create their project that ultimately pushed a toy car outfitted with a needle into a balloon to pop it. 

Josh’s project included the pulley, wheel and axle, and inclined plane simple machines. The ultimate goal was to push a toy car forward utilizing a golf ball at the end of the series. 

All three students realized that while exciting, imaginative, and fun, projects such as these take a significant amount of time, energy, planning, cooperation, and patience.

Oh, the thrill of victory and agony of defeat!  Check the Boys Home Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter for more great projects and updates.

Sam Morse Celebrates Five Years at Boys Home

Originally from Michigan, Sam Morse started at Boys Home as a houseparent in the fall of 2015 after graduating from Liberty University with a master’s degree in Christian Ministries. Prior to that, he earned his undergraduate degree in Biblical Studies, also at Liberty. 

Morse said his time as a houseparent was rewarding but challenging, and that it provided him with the opportunity to really get to know “the guys.” In June 2016, he transferred to his current role as a student advisor for 11^th and 12^th graders.

“My job is very rewarding,” stated Morse. “I enjoy working with the older students and helping them create plans for their future.” He went on to share that as students plan and get excited about their next steps after Boys Home, whether that be attending college, entering the military, or starting their careers, he feels a similar sense of excitement as the students he works with.

The extra time Morse gets to spend hanging out, watching TV, and interacting with students helps him be more successful in his role as an advisor. “It helps me establish good relationships with these young men,” he said. “Then, when we have to navigate some of the harder aspects of life, there is already a connection.”

Morse appreciates the opportunity to watch and actively participate in the positive progress of the students that reside at Boys Home, and he acknowledges that some students need additional support and guidance. He feels a sense of accomplishment as students develop into equipped and successful men, and he acknowledges a job well done when he hears from the alumni that he and others have helped along the way.

Boys Home of Virginia, founded in 1906, provides a healthy and supportive environment for young men whose lives have been negatively impacted by poverty or family instability.  Students are provided food, clothing, shelter, and guidance in a manner that supports the successful transition to adulthood along with educational and career opportunities.  Boys Home, a non-profit 501 (c) 3 organization, is almost entirely privately funded by individuals, organizations, churches, and foundations.

For more information about Boys Home, or to donate, please visit the giving page.