“One of my fondest memories of being a boy at the Westview Boys’ Home was being a part of the livestock program. As a child, I enjoyed waking up in the morning to walk our show hogs before the bus would come pick us up for school, and then walking the hogs again when we got back from school. The main thing I enjoyed about this was spending time with my house father, knowing that I could ask him any question and he would answer it, and knowing that he enjoyed spending time with me and the other boys. One of the things that he taught us was to take pride in our work, so it was no surprise that when I was able to show calves, I would spend several hours with my calf, washing and blow drying its hair. By the time I was finished with my calf, it was as fluffy as a brand new pillow, and I was very proud of how my animal looked. When it was time for shows, I was excited to show off my animal. When we did not get first place, it did not disappoint me, but encouraged me to work harder and spend more time with my calf. When my calf and I won grand champion at Harmon County in 2001, there was a reward that was greater than any ribbon or trophy could show, and even now it is difficult to describe the feeling I had. As an adult, I now realize that the livestock program did something more for me than just give me something fun to do. It helped me prepare for life as an adult. It not only taught me to take pride in the work that I do, but it also taught me to be responsible, it taught me to work hard, and it taught me to take the time to do the work right the first time.
I look at where I am in my life now, and I know it would have not been possible had I not had the support of the Westview Boys’ Home. When I was younger, I continually had my house parents and Westview staff encouraging me to work hard in my school work, and telling me that I was smart enough for college. They fed me with the thoughts of what I could do and who I could be with a college education. By the time I graduated high school, I knew that I had it narrowed down to two things that I wanted to be, a preacher or an elementary teacher. When I started college, I realized that I did not know what I wanted to be, and changed my major several times. Through all this, Westview was still encouraging me to keep going. In 2011, I had received my Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, with a Bible Minor, and I could think of no one I wanted more than my house father or mother to hold me. Westview not only encouraged me to pursue a higher education, but they helped me financially. Had Westview Foundation not financially supported me, I would not have been able to afford the education I received at Oklahoma Christian University. Without that college education, I could not tell you where I would be or what I would be doing, but I do know that I would not have my current job. The support I received from Westview Boys’ Home and the Westview Foundation has truly given me a head start in life, for which I am and will always be extremely thankful.”
– Richard Morphew
“I just wanted to start by stating that I greatly appreciate this journey that we have had together for the past several years. I remember coming to the home and thinking that I was all alone. I had no idea the impact that God and you guys would have on my life. As time went on year by year it was revealed to me that I wasn’t in a “children’s home”. It became more apparent to me that I was in a new place, with new people, my new family.
I can’t even put into words how much you have changed my life for the better. With the payment of my loans, with the continuous support, and with the never ending prayers I can see now that God put you in my life so that I can grow with a foundation with Him. That to me is the most important thing in life. For these many things that you continue to do for me, not only am I grateful…my soul is blessed and grateful.”
– Romas Roberson
“Looking back, the livestock program as well as the education opportunity afforded to me by Westview taught me many lessons, many of which serve me still today. The most prominent of which are patience, acceptance, tactfulness, and work ethic.
Taking care of anything living is a challenging task in and of itself. Being a young man, learning to take care of an animal from a baby forced me to stretch my natural level of patience and acceptance at a young age in order to not only make sure the animal made it to the show, but to win or place. As an adult in a managerial role, I rely on those skills daily to mentor and work with my staff and superiors.
The opportunity to go to college that I graciously received from Westview, I would not have received down any other road I was heading. College has a way of teaching a person social skills and tactfulness that one may not otherwise be exposed to due to the melting pot of cultures and opinions that one is surrounded by. In addition to tactfulness, the persistence and commitment to excel and make the grades necessary to graduate despite the lack of sleep requires a strong work ethic and maturity; both of which I had in abundance after my years at the home.
I owe the man that I am today, to the time, the experiences, and the patience of my house-parents and the generosity of the Westview Boys’ Home, the Westview Foundation and its donors.”
– Jason Ray Moss