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.

Jeremiah’s Story

At only 8-years old, Jeremiah had been exposed to too much. His parents, although loving, put their addiction before his safety and regularly abused drugs in his presence. When both his mom and dad were arrested and incarcerated on drug charges, Jeremiah was placed in foster care.

The separation devastated Jeremiah’s mother. She was disappointed in herself and knew she had to make better choices in the future. She vowed to follow her written service agreement so that she could be reunited with her son as soon as possible.

Meanwhile, Jeremiah adjusted to the new normal of living with his foster family. Rules, boundaries and routines were set for him. He thrived.

As months passed, Jeremiah’s foster mom and mother formed a great relationship. They bonded over shared photos, stories and hopes for the future for Jeremiah. Soon it was time for him to make the transition home.

The foster parents hosted a party for Jeremiah and his mom and asked the guests to help send him home by bringing one of his favorite snacks. It was a small way for all the people who had grown to love Jeremiah to show they cared. It also helped his mom fill the pantry with the things her son loved.

Jeremiah’s father returned home soon after the reunification. He formed a bond with Jeremiah’s foster parents as well; grateful his son received such unconditional love and guidance from total strangers.

Together, the two sets of parents continue to communicate and Jeremiah even spends a few weekends with his foster family when his parents have to work. They are a family – helping each other to give Jeremiah a great childhood.

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

When we are young, we assume we will fall in love, get married, and children will follow. But starting a family is not always as easy as we might assume.  Adopting from foster care was not the path to parenthood Ericka and Brad expected, but then they met Destiny. The rest, as they say, is history.

There are thousands of Missouri children living in foster care and in need of a place to call home. If you are interested in providing a safe, loving environment for a child in need, contact LFCS Foster Care and Family Services today!

Can’t see the video above? Click here to watch it on YouTube.

The post A Promise of Love – Foster Care and Family Services first appeared on Lutheran Family and Children's Services of Missouri.

Missy was a dedicated, single mother of a nine-year-old boy and two daughters, ages three and seven. She worked overnights so that she could be there for breakfasts before school, family dinners, homework, and bedtime prayers. Her unconditional love for her three little ones was evident. She beamed when she talked about them and always put their needs ahead of her own. But it was not easy and she had very little support from family.

One summer day, Missy discovered she was pregnant with baby number four. Loving another baby would be easy, but how would she provide for the needs of an infant? She had nothing extra as it was, without the expense of additional diapers, formula, clothing, medical bills and more. The future seemed uncertain.

Missy continued to work and set aside any money she could to prepare for the baby. Her son and daughters were excited to have a new sibling and shared their name choices almost daily. In her seventh month of pregnancy, Missy was forced to leave her job because the physical demands were too much. Fear for their future soon set in. Bills started to pile up. She wasn’t sure how she would make rent, buy diapers for her toddler or put gas in her car. She was terrified of having her utilities shut off, or even worse, being evicted. Missy needed help.

At church on Sunday, she read a bulletin announcement about the services provided at Lutheran Family and Children’s Services. First thing Monday morning, Missy called LFCS. She was connected with a caseworker and together they discussed Missy’s needs. They established a course of action to help her continue paying her bills until after the baby came, set up financial assistance from LFCS during those hardest months when she wasn’t able to work, and made a plan to make sure she didn’t fall behind finacially. To prepare for the baby’s arrival, Missy was connected with other services providers to receive a pack n’ play and other supplies she needed.

During one LFCS counseling session, Missy shared an interest in returning to school to further her education and have higher earning potential. She wanted a better life for herself and wanted to show her kids a better life too. Her caseworker helped her enroll in a degree program that she could complete after the baby arrived and while working full-time.

Within weeks of making that first phone call, so much had changed. She was now ready to share her unconditional love with her fourth child and she had a plan for their future. Missy knew she and her children would be okay thanks to the help she received from LFCS.

For more information on Parenting Services through LFCS, click, call 866-326-LFCS (5327) or send us an email.

To support LFCS Parenting Services and to keep other families, like Missy’s, from living on the streets, make a gift today.

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

The benefits of spending more family time together are significant. A 2010 research study by The National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse (CASA) found that compared to teens who have frequent (5-7 per week) family dinners, those who have infrequent (less than 3 per week) family dinners are more than twice as likely to say that they expect to try drugs in the future. Those who have infrequent family dinners are also more likely to say that they have used tobacco, alcohol, and marijuana, and also to have friends who use these substances. This CNN article also explains 8 reasons to make time for family dinners.

The CASA study discovered that strong family ties are associated with a reduced likelihood that a teen will use substances. Family togetherness is also associated with higher grades and self-esteem in children. Although time and scheduling conflicts can certainly be an issue, the benefits to making an effort to eat dinner together are overwhelming. If dinner together is sometimes out of the question, make sure you’re making effort to spend quality time together in other ways. Check out the Family Dinner Project website for many helpful ideas.

The post The Importance of Family Togetherness first appeared on Lutheran Family and Children's Services of Missouri.