Seven Personalities, One Home
By Sarah Donaher, an MHS houseparent We have seven boys in our student home right now, and we have a wide range of personalities. We have kids who are loud...
My MHS BlogCategory: Houseparents and Home Life
With over 250 houseparent couples caring for students across our campus, no two experiences are the same. But what unites them all is a deep commitment to helping kids grow and thrive.
Whether you’re just beginning to imagine yourself in this role or you’re well into the hiring process, we invite you to explore this unique career through the stories of current and former houseparents.
The Excitement of Snow Days
By Clare Ogle, an MHS houseparent I used to be a teacher, and I loved snow days. I somehow felt like I had been given the gift of time when...
No Worries
By Terry Donaher, an MHS houseparent Students come to Milton Hershey School for a variety of reasons, and a lot of that happens to come from their home dynamic. It...
Accepted, Welcomed and Loved
For MHS houseparents Sarah and Terry Donaher, home is a place where everyone feels accepted, welcomed, and loved. Learn more from the Donahers about how they are building a nurturing...
Never Doubt the Power of a Milkshake
By Clare Ogle, an MHS houseparent I’ve written before about how our student home makes milkshakes almost every Sunday evening. It’s been a tradition for about six years. This year,...
Our Life Purpose
By Sarah Donaher, a houseparent Before I met my husband Terry, I had never heard of Milton Hershey School. I knew of Hershey’s chocolate, but because I didn’t grow up...
Family First
By Terry Donaher, an MHS houseparent When I came to Milton Hershey School as a seventh-grader in 1992, I remember being dropped off by my mother and stepfather and receiving...
Hoping for Spring
By Clare Ogle, an MHS houseparent A few months ago, I ran past a friend’s house and I saw these awesome flowers in her yard that looked like giant pom-poms...
The View From the Top
By Clare Ogle, an MHS Houseparent At the beginning of the school year, we decided to take our student home on a hike. We wanted to do something outside that...
Maybe the Balance is Found in the Dance
By Clare Ogle, an MHS Houseparent “Mom guilt” is everywhere. Social media, magazines, you name it—it’s out there. Am I doing enough for my children and our students? Am I...