This house parent feels he has found his true calling in raising and supporting young men at the children’s home.
Often, it’s the opportunities you don’t see coming that have the biggest impact on your life. John Tracy’s unexpected opportunity was becoming a house parent of teenage boys at the Weller Cottage.
After John graduated from college with a bachelor’s degree in fine arts, he started a graphic design company with friends. In the years that followed, while waiting for his company to take off, John decided to go back to school to earn his post-baccalaureate certification in art education.
When John learned of a job opening at the children’s home, it piqued his interest. It was third shift and would allow him to work and go back to school, while also giving him experience working with kids.
Working as a houseparent in Weller Cottage for the last nine years, John has found himself on a different career path than he initially anticipated. He has not said farewell to his artistic passions — he still crafts and sells expressionistic artwork in his free time.
In many ways, the kids have brought an extra layer of color to John’s life as he watches them grow up from “little squirts” to fine young men, and he continues to find new sources of joy in his work daily.
Some of John’s common duties as a houseparent include cooking meals for the boys, cleaning the cottage, giving advice and arranging and keeping commitments like college visits or senior pictures. In general, John acts as a constant presence in the boys’ lives, there to guide and care for them through the highs and lows.
“Sometimes you explore who you don’t want to be before you find out who you do want to be,” John said. “My job is to help these kids find their way through school and life.”
Bonding with the boys is second nature for John, and he can sit with them and talk about sports, art — or anything, really — for hours. But like any parent, he has to find the balance between friend and disciplinarian.
“I have to be a role model for them and make sure they are keeping up with their obligations and growing into fine young adults who represent our program well,” John said.
Although disagreements are unavoidable in any family setting, as kids do not always see eye to eye with their elders, John follows the golden rule — treat others how you’d like to be treated — and asks for the same respect in return.
“I always want to respect each child’s experiences and truly listen to them, even when we’re in disagreement,” John said. “I think that builds respect. It lets them know that I’m listening to them and am always there for them no matter what. I want to orient them toward maturity and success.”
The opportunity to help teach kids how to build a bright future for themselves has been humbling for John, and he believes his efforts are made possible by generous donors.
“Some of these kids have come from rough circumstances,” John said. “Getting to know the kids and gaining insight on their upbringings has been enlightening. I get to see how they have changed because of the security the children’s home and its donors provide.”
While John has taught many young men valuable knowledge that they will carry with them for the rest of their lives, they, too, have taught him a lot about himself and have given his life a newfound purpose.
“Being a houseparent was an unexpected job for me, but the children’s home, in a way, has become my second home,” John said. “Yes, it’s a job where I clock in and out, but it’s a long-term investment for me, and I see it pay off every day with the kids’ successes and growth. I am certainly proud to be here.”