success story - Lutheran Family and Children's Services of Missouri

Finding Confidence & Success Through Therapy: Albert’s Story

beanstalk — Thu, 01 Aug 2024 15:38:32 +0000

The following story was submitted by an LFCS behavioral health counselor.

I met Albert when he was in 4th grade. His teacher referred him to our school counseling program for anger and social skill issues. At that time, he and his mother were living with his mother’s father, Albert’s grandfather. However, his mother was rarely home. Albert never saw his father. Albert was struggling in school.

Social interactions were hard for him, so he did not have many real friends. It did not help that he was often angry, and wasn’t able to control his temper very well. Albert had reasons to be angry – one of which was he had been physically abused by two of his mother’s boyfriends.

Albert loved coming to therapy, simply because there he felt safe and accepted for who he was. One week we talked about the solar system – the next how cool ants are. Another time he’d bring in one of his favorite dragon books to read to me, then we would analyze the differences between Dragons, Griffins, Wyverns, and which was the most awesome (Dragons, obviously). Another time he’d bring in cool looking rocks for us to look up and classify, and then we’d decorate the rocks.

These were not the only times, however, that Albert and I were meeting. Albert ended up in my office in tears on quite a few occasions. Sometimes on his own, sometimes brought by a teacher or the principal. Albert would be teased by a classmate, which might have ended there, just hurting Albert’s feelings. Or it might have ended with Albert lashing out, this time also physically hurting the classmate.

Albert’s mother left for good while he was in 5th grade, and his grandfather took custody of him. Then Albert’s birth father came back into his life, and started spending time with him. Albert was slowly making improvements with his anger management, self-esteem and social skills.

He found a small group of like-minded friends. At the end of his 5th grade year, he was encouraged by a few school staff to apply for membership on a school leadership council for his 6th grade year, and he was accepted.

Albert’s 6th grade year began with him as a member of this council, as well as 4 inches taller. It was quickly evident that his self-esteem and social skills were still improving. He was rarely getting in trouble. He could be seen moving through the school hallways in the middle of a pack of students, talking and laughing. On Track Day, he won several medals, including 1st Place in the 3-mile event. He was inducted into the National Junior Honor Society for his grades and his character. Albert transitioned out of counseling at the end of the school year.

I’m happy that I will still get to see Albert in the halls of the school next year, and see what his 7th grade year brings him. So I do think it might be time for me to consolidate my enormous display of Albert’s painted rocks in my office. I’ll just keep a few of my favorites. The Dragons, obviously.

The post Finding Confidence & Success Through Therapy: Albert’s Story first appeared on Lutheran Family and Children's Services of Missouri.

Congratulations To LFCS Parenting Client Breanna!

beanstalk — Tue, 20 Feb 2024 23:28:30 +0000

Breanna first became involved with Lutheran Family and Children’s Services (LFCS) in 2017 when she learned she was pregnant with her second child. Her then- 1-year old daughter Cece was keeping her pretty busy, and she felt pretty overwhelmed and decided to reach out to LFCS for help.

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.

LFCS provides pregnant women with independent caseworkers to support them throughout their pregnancy, whether they choose to parent or make an adoption plan. The Parenting Services offered at LFCS provide parents with the tools they need to help their children thrive. By working with an LFCS social worker, parents learn to address life’s stressors in healthy ways and achieve a safe and stable home for their children.

Through these services, moms and dads are provided with intensive case management, professional counseling, evidence-based parenting education, and relevant referrals. We teach clients parenting young children how to cultivate healthy parent-child relationships. Parents are empowered to identify and encourage age-appropriate developmental milestones, ensuring the best start for their kids. Our experienced caseworkers also teach the importance of self-care, so parents can be at their best for their children.

The professional and caring staff at LFCS strive to help our clients overcome challenges today so they can build a better tomorrow. Even if an obstacle arises that our services don’t directly address, we will work with our contacts in the community to provide resources to help.

Breanna felt a newfound sense of confidence in her parenting skills and paused her services with LFCS. She began working as a waitress to support her two young daughters. A few years later during the pandemic, the restaurant where she was working closed. After she was involved in a car accident, her stress level was at an all time high. When she learned she was pregnant with her third child, she decided to reach back out to Kaitlynn for help.

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.”

After two years of hard work, Breanna graduated with her diploma in January 2024! She is now pursuing her certification to become a substitute teacher. This will be an extremely rewarding career for her, and will also work well with her kids’ daycare schedules, allowing a great work/life balance. She and her daughters, Cece (now age 7), Ellie (now age 6), and Freya (now age 2), are thriving. We are so proud of Breanna’s determination and success, and look forward to hearing about her family’s bright future ahead!

Congratulations on your graduation, Breanna, and much luck on your continued success!

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

Emily’s Essay

beanstalk — Tue, 06 Feb 2024 01:53:21 +0000

“Emily” is a brave girl who works with one of LFCS’ behavioral health therapists. She suffers from having extreme social anxiety and struggles in many common social settings. Recently, Emily had to write an essay for her class that would be presented in front of everyone. Fighting through nervousness and fear, Emily and her therapist used this situation to work through her anxiety. Emily practiced speaking her essay in session (which in itself was a huge accomplishment for her) and built up her confidence for the big moment. When the day came, Emily stood in front of her class and successful shared the following speech:

“Mental health is extremely important. Just like anything else, it will deteriorate if you don’t take good care of it. According to SIRS, “Mental health is a state of cognitive or emotional well-being that affects how an individual copes with stress and life experiences.” Unfortunately, a stigma persists around mental health issues that prevents people from getting help. One of the many issues that increases this stigma are work ethics.

Work Ethics instill a stigma in workers that prevents them from seeking help. According to the New York Times, “In a 2017 paper, nearly 40 percent of physicians reported being hesitant to seek mental health care because they worried it would harm their chances to get or renew their medical licenses.” This shows that the expectations set by the medical field paints a perspective in the physicians’ minds. It makes them think that if any higher ups in the field figure out that a physician’s mental illness is impacting their ability to work in any way, the opportunity of that physician attaining or keeping their job could plummet. But you’re probably thinking, “The fact that only 40 percent of them felt that way probably means that the other 60 percent wasn’t nervous to seek out help.” While that could be true, the fact that a large percent of people were still uncertain about seeking help is shocking. With how things are now, you would think that being able to seek mental help would be the least of people’s worries, but no. The ethics established in the medical field push physicians to limit, to the point where they’re skeptical about trying to improve their own mental health! If they don’t make sure their health is in check, how can they help with someone else’s’ health?

Sadly, the ever-expending stigma surrounding mental health issues continues to restrain people from seeking the help they need. Even though stigma persists and surges, there are ways to help reduce it. Talking about your struggles and how you handled them could help someone else find the courage to overcome theirs. When you see someone struggling, help them out. Encourage them. Cheer them up. It might make their day even just a little bit better.”

Emily, on behalf of Lutheran Family and Children’s Services of Missouri, we are so incredibly proud of you! We are proud of your courage, determination for improvement, and passion for mental health advocacy. Thank you for being an example of success to those who are struggling with their own mental health issues.

The post Emily’s Essay first appeared on Lutheran Family and Children's Services of Missouri.

From Uncertainty to Empowerment: Mia’s Story

beanstalk — Tue, 10 Oct 2023 21:24:40 +0000

Life can throw unexpected challenges, leaving us feeling lost and unsure of how to navigate the path ahead. For Jamele “Mia” Jones, her journey with Lutheran Family and Children’s Services (LFCS) started at a pivotal time, reshaping her trajectory from uncertainty to empowerment.

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.

Lauren’s Success

beanstalk — Wed, 17 Feb 2016 21:52:01 +0000

Lauren is a 21-year-old single mom who inspires all who have the privilege of meeting her. She works full-time at a local daycare and goes to college part-time. She became a client at LFCS over 3 years ago when she found out she was pregnant with her son. At that time, Lauren was in her senior year of high school.

At first, Lauren was devastated by the idea of becoming a teenage single mom. She began to reach out into the community to find support. That is when she found Lutheran Family and Children Services. Lauren searched out resources because she wanted to give her child advantages that she never had. Lauren spent time in foster care as a child and never had the emotional or physical nurturing that she needed.

As a result of her childhood experiences, Lauren understood firsthand the isolation and devastation of living in poverty. She used the anger she felt from the past to fuel her focus on getting her education and creating a better life for herself and her son.

As a client of LFCS, Lauren was able to get assistance with rent and utilities on several occasions which allowed her to meet her goal of maintaining a safe home for her son. She also received counseling, baby supplies, a mentor, tutoring for the ACT and help with applying for Section 8. Lauren has always been very independent, but is open to getting help when a need arises that she cannot overcome alone. That ability to be resilient, to accept assistance, advice and learn from past mistakes has become the foundation for her success.

This outstanding young woman is an example that adversity can produce amazing outcomes when we invest in young people who want to create and change their life circumstances. Not only has Lauren changed her life through her persistence, but also the life of her son. She is an excellent role model for her peers and always takes the time to share her story when it will help others.

There are many young parents like Lauren, who can make the changes needed to triumph over their circumstances if given a hand up, not a hand out. They need to be given the tools to finish their education which will give them hope for a better life for themselves and their children.

The post Lauren’s Success first appeared on Lutheran Family and Children's Services of Missouri.