Milton Hershey School Houseparents Recognized for Recruitment Efforts
Milton Hershey School employs over 200 houseparent couples to oversee student homes in Hershey, Pennsylvania. Houseparents provide MHS students a structured, caring, home away from home while they receive a top-notch education and whole child care.
MHS houseparents Robert and Terri Metze were named “Super Referrers” for referring two houseparent couples whom have been hired. They’ve also recommended four additional couples and are proactive in sharing the opportunity with others through social media.
The Metzes share the mission of MHS with their close network of family and friends to encourage student-focused couples to apply and make a difference in the lives of children from low-income backgrounds.
After spending 10 years as missionaries in Mexico City, the Metzes were looking for a new role that could help them continue to make a difference in children’s lives.
“We were looking for a job that was similar to a ministry and knew about Milton Hershey School and its impact on lower-income families,” Robert said. “We were initially worried that MHS wouldn’t hire us because of our age, but that has actually been an asset to the school and our community.”
MHS offers an employee incentive program to encourage current MHS staff to refer quality houseparents to the school. The Metzes saw this as an opportunity to share their experience with their family and friends and communicate honestly about what it takes to be a houseparent.
“We know that there is a need for good houseparents and we have a lot of friends who are caring and qualified for this role,” Robert said. “The students deserve to have houseparents who will work through the challenges and rewards of the job and continue to support them as they grow.”
The Metzes have been houseparents at MHS for over three years and have made a positive impact on MHS students. Many students who have moved on to Senior Division remember their time with the Metzes in Middle Division and thank them for their support.
“It is challenging living with 10-12 young people, but it is very rewarding to see the impact that you can have on their lives and help them grow,” Terri said. “We are helping to shape who these children will be in the future and they remember that.”
MHS is currently hiring houseparents for the April and July start dates. Interested couples can visit mhskids.org/careers to learn more about a career worth every minute.