KYUMH

Kentucky United Methodist Children's Homes: Providing for the physical, emotional, educational, and spiritual needs of children and families.

[KYUMH @KYUMHCY]

Mindy and Daniel Anderson adopted their three children through our Mary Kendall Adoption Program.

“It wasn’t an easy journey,” says Mindy, “But I am so grateful we did it. I would fill the paperwork all over again.”

Link in bio to donate.

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Ernest "Ernie" West grew up with dozens of other boys at the Kentucky United Methodist Children's Homes campus in Versailles. He and his sister Edith arrived in 1937 when Ernie was just five years old.

May Ernie's legacy of selfless sacrifice inspire us to do the same.

[The Forgotten War @ForgottenWarPic]

He was an orphan from Kentucky who grew up in a children's home, and when his patrol got ambushed in Korea, he walked into the fire three separate times and carried three men out. It cost him an eye. He said later he did not even want the medal for it.

Ernest West was born in Kentucky and orphaned at nine years old, raised in a Methodist children's home. He had every reason to feel the world owed him something. Instead he grew into a man who kept giving. In October 1952 he was a private first class in Korea, and he volunteered to go out on a combat patrol scouting for an enemy outpost near a place called Sataeri.

West, his squad leader, and two other men were pushing out ahead of the rest when the enemy sprang an ambush and cut them down in the open. His squad leader was badly hit but still fighting. West did not hesitate. He moved through the heavy fire to reach him, used his own body to shield the wounded man, then hauled him up over his shoulder and carried him back out of the kill zone to safety.

He could have stopped there and no one would have said a word. Two more men were still out there, wounded and exposed. So West turned around and went back into the fire again. And then again. Three trips into an active ambush to bring out three helpless men.

Somewhere in that storm of bullets and shellfire he was critically wounded himself, and one of his eyes was damaged so badly that doctors later had to remove it entirely. He kept going anyway until all three men were out.

Ernest West lived. President Eisenhower gave him the Medal of Honor in 1954. And in the most humble twist of all, West did not think he deserved it. He actually said he turned it down at first and was not going to go get it. It took his uncle talking him into it. The orphan who had been given so little spent the defining moment of his life giving everything he had to drag three other men home.

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Today, we celebrate the freedoms we cherish and the communities that make our nation strong.

As we gather with family and friends this Independence Day, we are grateful for everyone who help create brighter futures for Kentucky children and families every single day.

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Connecting with adolescents during the holidays can be daunting. Julie Hatton, a KyUMH therapist on our Nicholasville campus, writes about ways to connect with teenagers during the holidays in our new blog post.

Check out the link 🔗 in our bio to read more.

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This Christmas, you can be the one caring adult a young person needs. 🎄 At Kentucky United Methodist Children's Homes, we see this happen in young people's lives like Jackson's* every single day. Link 🔗 is in our bio to donate today!

*a pseudonym

[KYUMH @KYUMHCY]

📰 TODAY IN KYUMH HISTORY: On December 8, 1882

KyUMH, previously named The Methodist Widows and Orphans' Home, officially opened at 812 South Fifth Street in Louisville, KY. Today, we are located in Nicholasville, Lexington, and Owensboro, KY. 💙

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Thank you so much for creating change through Bluegrass Gives. Because of you, we raised $41,082 🎉 The most we have ever raised for Bluegrass Gives. Each gift will play a critical role in allowing us to serve our community and help those in need of life-changing support. 💙

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Today, you can make a difference that lasts far beyond one day. Your gift helps children, youth, and families across Kentucky who have history with trauma, abuse, and neglect. https://t.co/Ylt9SGoXMg

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Get ready! Bluegrass Gives is TOMORROW, and we invite you to take a step for Kentucky's next generation. You have the power to spark lasting change in a young person's life. Because real change doesn’t start somewhere else. Change starts with YOU! https://t.co/Ylt9SGoXMg

[KYUMH @KYUMHCY]

Donate Today: https://t.co/O3kJh6B3BB

Your gift helps young people like Matthew receive the support system they need to turn their life around for the better. Make an impact for Kentucky's children, youth, and families and give to our Fifth Sunday Offering of Hope.

[KYUMH @KYUMHCY]

Healing doesn’t stop after adoption. 💙 Post-adoption counseling gives birth parents space to grieve and rebuild. When we support them, we support healthier families and brighter futures for everyone. #adoptionmonth

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At Kentucky United Methodist Children's Homes, we see change happening every day. And it always starts with someone who has taken that step for Kentucky's youth and families. Join us for Bluegrass Gives to see your donation DOUBLE! Be the change you want to see.

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This Veterans Day, we recognize and honor those who have served in our military. At KyUMH, many of our youth that we serve over the past 154 years have joined the military and served our country. Thank you for your courage and sacrifice.

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Happy National Adoption Month! 💙✨This month and every month, we believe every child deserves a loving and caring home. Thank you to every family who has welcomed God's children into their home. Visit https://t.co/6hQDMknlEj to learn more about our Adoption Program.

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Today, we celebrate Mary Kendall joining the KyUMH family back in 1984.

Thank you to everyone who has touched the lives of the children, youth, and families we serve through Mary Kendall.

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Cyberbullying is no joke, and Kentucky's children deserve to be protected from it. 💙 As we close out Bullying Prevention Month, let us remember that kids need protection and support every single day. #kyumh #nonprofit #bullyingprevention

[KYUMH @KYUMHCY]

Let's wrap our children and youth in love this winter season. ❄️ Donate adult sized coats today and help us keep the youth that we serve snug and cozy. 🧥 Together, we can make this cold season a little warmer for those in need. 💙

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📰 THIS MONTH IN KYUMH HISTORY:

October 13, 2017 - Our staff and residents officially moved into the new Nicholasville campus.
October 18, 2018 - Evolve Counseling Center (Mary Kendall) opened, providing community outreach and mental health services in Owensboro.

[KYUMH @KYUMHCY]

Be the voice kids need. 💙 If you see a child being bullied:
1. Separate those involved
2. Ensure safety
3. Remain calm
4. Offer effective solutions
When you become an upstander, you give kids confidence and show them that it’s important to stand up for what’s right.

[KYUMH @KYUMHCY]

Mark your calendars! 🗓️ Support KyUMH in the Bluegrass Gives online giving day on December 2, 2025. Your donation can help transform the lives of youth and families in Kentucky.