Abuse, neglect, infertility or depression doesn’t care about who you vote for. These challenges can affect anybody, anywhere. LFCS offers critical services like pregnancy testing and support, parenting education, counseling for children and families, adoption services, foster care, and child development programs. These services aren’t just important; they are essential in helping children grow up safe, supported, and empowered.

By choosing to support LFCS, you’re casting your vote for a brighter future where every child has the tools, love, and care they need to succeed. Your gift is a direct endorsement of hope and healing for families who rely on LFCS to overcome the hardships they face.

The post LFCS Rallies Around Kids During This Election Season first appeared on Lutheran Family and Children's Services of Missouri.

Kaitlynn was assigned as Breanna’s LFCS caseworker, and the two developed a great relationship. Kaitlynn provided education and support throughout Breanna’s pregnancy. Later that year, Breanna gave birth to a healthy baby girl named Ellie. She began attending the LFCS Parenting Cafes, which are a wonderful opportunity for clients to take a break and visit with other parents while their children play together under the supervision of the LFCS staff.

“You get to hang out with other friends and other parents and talk about being a parent. It is a comfortable and safe space to talk about any feelings you may have with no interruptions and learn about different parenting topics.”

Breanna, her family, and Kaitlynn pose during a parenting cafe event last fall.

Breanna with Cece and Ellie on graduation day

“I would like to let people know that it’s a huge stress relief to work with LFCS- any worries you might have, they help you with.”

During Breanna’s pregnancy, her mother was diagnosed with dementia. Kaitlynn provided information about resources in the community to assist them through that difficult situation. When Breanna’s third daughter Freya was born, Kaitlynn continued providing support through home visits with Breanna and her children.

When Freya was 3 months old, Kaitlynn encouraged Breanna to pursue her high school diploma through the Goodwill Excel Center in Springfield, MO. Kaitlynn gave her the motivation that she needed to finish her diploma, and ensured that she had the resources she needed so she would be able to focus on her coursework.

“Kaitlynn is like a cheerleader, and she has supported me through so much.”

The post Congratulations To LFCS Parenting Client Breanna! first appeared on Lutheran Family and Children's Services of Missouri.

Now, at age 34, Mia stands as a living testament to the resilience, hope, and transformative impact of LFCS.

Mia’s story is one of determination and growth, marked by her commitment to creating a better life for herself and her three children, ages 10, 6, and 2. Her connection with LFCS began when she was just 21 and expecting her first child. During this period, Mia grappled with the daunting prospect of single motherhood while struggling to find the support and guidance she desperately needed.

“I was a hot mess,” said Mia. “I did not know what to do. I didn’t have much support, and I felt completely lost.”

At this challenging juncture, Mia was referred to LFCS’s Springfield, Missouri office, marking the beginning of a life-altering partnership.

A Supportive Alliance

LFCS counselors stepped in to provide Mia with the support and resources she required throughout her pregnancy and as she faced the reality of single motherhood. Their guidance and support enabled her to acquire essential coping skills, manage her relationship with her child’s father, and explore options, including adoption.

One exceptional aspect of Mia’s experience was LFCS’s ability to tailor its support to her needs. Recognizing her anxiety about becoming a mother, Mia requested a lifelike infant simulator to help her prepare for parenthood. LFCS went above and beyond to fulfill her request, ensuring she had the tools to confront the challenges ahead confidently.

A Brighter Future

Following the birth of her child, LFCS counselors continued to provide invaluable assistance, helping Mia secure a crib, car seat, and the support of a doula. These resources facilitated her transition into motherhood, allowing her to concentrate on nurturing her child’s development.

LFCS counselors continued addressing immediate needs and helped Mia develop crucial life skills. Budgeting became an integral part of her journey, equipping her with the knowledge to manage her finances effectively. Moreover, the LFCS team encouraged Mia to explore career opportunities aligned with her goals, even as she pursued her dreams in art and entrepreneurship.

Empowering Lives

Throughout Mia’s collaboration with LFCS, guided by compassionate counselors, she discovered the importance of confidence, resilience, and self-empowerment. Mia uncovered her inner strength and mustered the courage to chase her dreams. Today, she not only stands as a mother of three incredible children, with another on the way but also as a burgeoning entrepreneur and founder of a nonprofit.

Mia is the driving force behind the Pacific Community Garden, a nonprofit that aims to teach minorities in Springfield how to cultivate independence through gardening while providing a therapeutic outlet. Her establishment serves as the heart of this initiative. Mia also co-founded the United Community Change, a racial awareness group dedicated to fostering positive change in the community.

A Powerful Reminder

Mia’s remarkable transformation from a young, uncertain mother-to-be to an empowered entrepreneur and community leader exemplifies the life-changing influence of LFCS. Through their collective efforts, LFCS not only helped Mia succeed but inspired her to pay it forward, making a meaningful impact on the lives of others.

Mia’s message to anyone facing a challenging situation is hope and encouragement. “Don’t be afraid to ask for help. Contact LFCS and let them guide you towards your needed resources and support. You’ll build relationships that last a lifetime, gain valuable skills, and discover your strengths.”

The post From Uncertainty to Empowerment: Mia’s Story first appeared on Lutheran Family and Children's Services of Missouri.

After getting sober and finding the strength to leave an abusive relationship, Sabrina found herself without a place for her and her two young sons to call home. When she learned that she was pregnant with her third child, she knew she needed help to create a better life for her children.

While looking at Facebook, Sabrina learned that a longtime friend was working with LFCS. She was attending parenting classes and getting resources to help support her new baby. This motivated Sabrina to reach out to LFCS for support and guidance during her own pregnancy. While she was scared to ask for help, she knew that she needed to be strong and do what as best for her family.

Sabrina began working with her LFCS case worker, Shirley, who provided her with supportive counseling, parenting education, and resources to help her and her children. She was able to secure transitional housing and receiving prenatal care regularly thanks to Shirley’s help.

After Sabrina welcomed her beautiful baby boy, Mykia, she made arrangements to leave transitional housing and stay with a family-friend. Unfortunately she was met with yet another challenge. Plans fell through, and she and her children were once again homeless, this time on Christmas Eve.

Sabrina didn’t allow herself to be discouraged. She made the decision to treat all of her obstacles as a learning experience. She was determined to do everything in her power to create a better life for her kids. Shirley, her LFCS case manager became like family to her.

Sabrina was given a referral for emergency housing assistance, and continued to utilize all of the resources that LFCS had to offer, helping her feel empowered to turn things around for the better.

“Shirley is amazing! I love that woman. She was so down to earth and kind, and always made me feel so encouraged after our meetings.”
SabrinaLFCS Parenting Client

One year later, Sabrina celebrated Mykia’s first birthday, and she and her boys are thriving. She now has a home of her own where she lives with Alex (11), Jaydon (8), and Mykia  (1). She is excelling in her job, and is in line for a managerial promotion. Even more inspiring, she is pursuing a college degree in social work, so that she can help other women overcome the same kinds of challenges that she has faced.

Sabrina acknowledges that being a single mom is tough, and there are still hard days, but she will keep moving forward to ensure a safe and happy life for her kids.

” I am beyond proud of Sabrina. She came form a lifestyle that a lot of people never make it back out of.”
Shirley SmithLFCS Case Worker

The post From overcoming challenges to overwhelming success; this is Sabrina’s story first appeared on Lutheran Family and Children's Services of Missouri.

Our Adoption, Parenting, and Pregnancy services will now be available in Jackson County. From parenting education to case management, home visitations to creating forever families, LFCS is thrilled to help Northwest Missouri build a better tomorrow. Overcoming challenges, creating sustainable change, and empowering communities. That’s what we do at LFCS and that’s what we are bringing to Kansas City!

“This is a major step for the agency in accomplishing our
goal to be the recognized leader for parents and families who
want solutions to help children thrive throughout the entire
state.”
Matthew BricklerPresident, LFCS Operating Board

Meet Brookelyn Morris,
Kansas City’s Inaugural Staff Member

“When I first started at LFCS, all of the staff
made sure I felt welcome and supported.
This is very vital as we are new to the
KC area. We are so excited to bring an
organization that is well needed to Kansas
City!”
– Brookelyn MorrisLFCS Social Worker

The post Kansas City Here We Come! first appeared on Lutheran Family and Children's Services of Missouri.

Together we face uncertainty, worry, and sudden changes that affect both our personal and professional lives. We all feel the impact. How we react to these unforeseen disruptions will make a difference in our lives as well as those we love.

LFCS is adapting because children and families in Missouri remain our priority.

As leaders in the field of professional mental health services, we know that times of crisis are stressful and often traumatic for children and families. When unmanaged, the effects of stress and trauma can impact our mental, physical, social, emotional, or spiritual well-being.

So we want to know, how are you doing?

If you need help, we understand. We are here for you. LFCS counselors are ready to address the challenges your family may feel during this time of uncertainty. We aim to provide ways for you to cope, help connect you with much-needed resources, and offer additional comfort during these difficult times. We are accessible through telehealth to protect your physical health and respect social distancing guidelines. This virtual approach to therapy includes counseling over the telephone or through video conferencing, such as Zoom, Skype or FaceTime. We understand these methods may be new to you. We will do our best to make you comfortable and to accommodate you and your family’s unique needs as we move forward together.

Call us today at 866-326-LFCS  or submit your request for services online.

The post We are here for you first appeared on Lutheran Family and Children's Services of Missouri.

Attending school would not be possible without an income. Once she found housing, Lera secured a full-time job working nights in a nursing home. She planned to work for a year to save for classes while completing applications to the local universities. But slowly, her path shifted.

Falling in love was unexpected. Lera met Marcus through a co-worker and their relationship moved quickly. Three months after meeting, Lera discovered she was pregnant. She and Marcus decided to get married before the baby was born, finding a small apartment and setting up the nursery. After moving in and welcoming their daughter, Lera gave up her full-time job to stay home. Soon she began to notice a shift in Marcus’ behavior.

He was going out with friends, each time staying out later and later, and usually returning intoxicated. Some nights he would become erratic and aggressive, shouting obscenities at Lera and her 14-month old, Kati. Marcus continued this for months and eventually became physically abusive. When Lera woke one morning swollen and bruised, she dressed Kati, packed the diaper bag with a few essentials and walked out. She was five months pregnant with her second child.

A local shelter for battered women provided protection from Marcus, but it was not a permanent solution. Unemployed and without a support system, Lera needed help. The shelter referred her to LFCS for pregnancy and parenting services. Her LFCS case worker helped find permanent housing, as well as provided parenting education, job placement assistance and guidance to ensure her safety. By the time her son Miles was born, Lera felt able to care for herself and her two kids.

Over a year has passed since the day Lera made the decision to leave Marcus. Although it has been a difficult road, she knows her future looks bright. Next month, the divorce will be final. Kati and Miles are thriving and attend a child development center near her home in the city. Lera actively participates in Nurturing Network parenting events with LFCS and now has a solid foundation of skills to be an amazing mom.  Through her hard work and commitment, she also discovered a passion for supporting other young moms like herself.  In Mid-January she will begin pursuing a degree in social work.

We are thrilled to see Lera chasing her dreams once again! If you’d like to help moms like her, make a gift to LFCS today. In 2019, nearly 800 moms learned skills to succeed because of friends like you.

#saferstrongertogether

The post Making Dreams Come True first appeared on Lutheran Family and Children's Services of Missouri.

Cecelia walked into the LFCS office overwhelmed with anxiety. She was pregnant for the first time without anyone but her husband to support her. She was new to the area and had not made many friends yet. Cecelia’s mother had passed away two years before and she had no siblings or other family close by. As excited as she and her husband were to become parents, Cecelia was struggling with all of the unknowns that lie ahead.

After assessing her needs, Cecelia’s LFCS caseworker suggested she attend the monthly support group for young moms. There she was able to meet several other women who understood her circumstances. They shared their experiences of pregnancy, birth, what to expect at the hospital, parenting an infant and more. She met with her caseworker regularly, following an evidence-based parenting education curriculum to prepare for her role as a new mom. Two months after enrolling in the program, Cecelia delivered her daughter.

As the first weeks past, Cecelia felt more and more detached from her baby. “What’s wrong with me?” she thought. Cecelia had planned and prepared, so why wasn’t it all coming naturally? Her caseworker called to follow up and noticed Cecelia didn’t seem like herself. “Come by the office Wednesday. I’d love to meet the baby and talk to you more.” the caseworker requested.

Wednesday came and Cecelia arrived at the LFCS late in the afternoon. She was disheveled and noticeably upset. While sitting in her caseworker’s office, she broke down in tears sharing her fears and questions once more. Fortunately, LFCS was able to provide additional support to Cecilia through counseling services that directly addressed Cecelia’s detachment and post-partum depression.

With regular counseling, Cecelia began to recover and bond with her child. She continued to attend the support group for new moms which helped her understand she was not alone and that many of the challenges she was facing were normal in the baby’s first year of life. Today, Cecelia is parenting with confidence and her daughter is thriving at 16 months.

If you’d like to help create safe and stable home environments for families, like Cecelia’s, make a gift to LFCS today. Your contribution will make generations of children and families across Missouri safer and stronger together.

The post Finding Support during Pregnancy first appeared on Lutheran Family and Children's Services of Missouri.

Even before learning they were unable to have biological children, Heather and Longley considered adoption. But as a U.S. Navy test pilot, the couple rarely stayed in one place long enough to even consider the idea. That was until they landed in St. Louis. A three-year commitment gave them enough time to start the process, to complete their home study, and then to wait.

Waiting was the hard part. They knew the fate of their family-to-be was in the hands of a birth family who would chose them.

During that time, Heather and Longley met with their LFCS caseworker to talk about all the what-ifs of becoming a family. They learned about their options as adoptive parents and to better understand the position of birth parents. Through counseling and many conversations, Heather and Longley prepared for parenthood.

Eighteen months later, Isabelle was born. Her birth mother made the difficult, but loving decision to place her daughter with a couple who she felt could provide a life she deserved. And that one choice made Heather, Longley and Isabelle a family.

The post Promise of Family through Adoption first appeared on Lutheran Family and Children's Services of Missouri.

Sarah, LFCS Foster Mom

Think of the very best moments of your childhood. Remember the people who were there? Of course you do. What makes occasions so special isn’t what you do, necessarily, but who’s by your side with love and support.

Sadly, thousands of  Missouri children do not have many fond memories. They don’t feel safe, secure, or at peace in their own family — much less loved.

Thankfully, because of your past kindness, Lutheran Family and Children’s Services is fulfilling its promise to care for those kids who need us most. Because of you, we are able to place neglected and abused children in loving families where they can begin to heal from a lifetime of past hurts.

Sarah, a foster parent with LFCS, received our call about four siblings in need of a safe home. From 18 months to 9 years old, the children were discovered confined in a bedroom
of their mother’s run down house. Their bruises, hunger, and malnourishment were evident hidden were deeper emotional wounds. Sarah could see that even one healthy meal, a warm bath, a loving hug and good night’s sleep might be something these little ones had never before enjoyed. Sarah opened her heart, and her home. Their long journey to healing began.

May is National Foster Care Month. I invite you to take this occasion to join the LFCS family of generous donors. Many of our donors give back in gratitude, “paying forward” the compassion and care they themselves received from LFCS! Gifts of every size are needed to help us rescue more neglected and abused children living across Missouri.

Doshie, LFCS Pregnancy & Parenting Services Client

Doshie found LFCS at the age of twenty-four. At the time she was homeless, unable to work, and receiving disability benefits because she had been shot multiple times in the leg. Doshie was also pregnant with her first child and not prepared for motherhood.

Through LFCS Pregnancy Services, Doshie learned about caring for an infant while working towards goals she had set for herself. Doshie knew she wanted to provide a better life for her baby than the one she had. She also aspired to go back to school.

After giving birth to a healthy baby boy, Doshie began taking college classes and transitioned into the LFCS Parenting program. When the baby was old enough, she looked for work that would allow for breaks from standing for long periods of time. She eventually found two part-time positions to provide for herself and her son. With her new income, Doshie was also able to secure housing for the first time.  Although being a single mother was very challenging, Doshie felt proud of all that she had accomplished in such a short amount of time.  LFCS continued to offer support with regular counseling sessions and by providing clothing, formula and diapers, as well as occasional rent and utility assistance.

Eventually, Doshie secured full-time work as a security officer at the MetroLink. One of her responsibilities was to remove homeless individuals from the trains. She felt compassion for those she encountered and she found it difficult to remove them as her job required. Homelessness was something Doshie truly understood. Seeing so many others struggle compelled her to action.  She knew limited access to running water for showers or laundering clothes was a problem so she made a goal to open a facility where homeless and low-income individuals could shower and wash their clothing at no charge. After spending two years dedicated to cause, Doshie launched her own non-profit in St. Louis called Doshie’s Laundry Foundation.

Doshie is a shining example of resilience and determination. Now married and a mother of two, she is able to fulfill the needs of her family. She works full-time as a teacher’s assistant for the St. Louis City Public Schools, and plans to graduate with her Bachelor’s degree in Business Management. Doshie’s hope is to continue growing her nonprofit to give back to the community that once helped her.

Carmyn, LFCS Foster Parent

Three years ago, Shawn, a loving father to Sienna (6) and Tyler (3) and husband to Carmyn, was tragically killed in a car accident. Grief overtook Carmyn and their children as they tried to cope with this significant loss. Together, they met with a LFCS therapist to work through their emotions and find a new normal as a family.

Although adjusting to life without Shawn as well as could be expected, Carmyn still felt like something was missing. She and Shawn had always wanted a large family. They had even discussed adoption a few times before his accident. Carmyn was mourning not just the loss of her husband, but the big family that could have been.

Then, last summer, Carmyn’s neighbors shared a story about a family member who had just become a foster parent. They talked about a group of siblings whose parent was unable to care for them and how their lives had been changed for the better since joining their family. This conversation lead Carmyn to realize she was open to the possibility of becoming a foster parent.

At her next appointment at LFCS, Carmyn told her therapist about the idea and she was referred to LFCS Family Services. Although the idea of being a “single parent” seemed daunting, Carmyn knew she had enough love to share with children in need.

The first placement Carmyn accepted was a set of seven-year old twin boys left orphaned by their single mother’s accidental overdose. Having experienced the loss of a parent, she knew Sienna and Tyler could truly relate to the boys and that she could offer them a safe and loving place to call home. The connection was natural and immediate for all of them. Now they see themselves as one big family – complete because they have found one another through the tragic losses they each experienced.

The post Promise of Motherhood first appeared on Lutheran Family and Children's Services of Missouri.