TransformSUMMERTIME HEALING

Sifting through St. Louis’

countless summertime activities

can be overwhelming for any

caregiver, but especially for those

parenting kids with behavioral difficulties.

FamilyForward offers week-long programs

during the summer months that are

designed to create a fun and healthy

environment for children ages eight to 18

in the foster care and adoptive community.

“My son has enjoyed camp for the past

three summers – he always asks about

it when school is almost out,” mom

Allison says.

Our overarching philosophy is based in

the Neurosequential Model of Therapeutics

(NMT), developed by Dr. Bruce Perry of the

Neurosequential Network and ChildTrauma

Academy. NMT is a trauma-informed,

developmentally sensitive approach to

understanding the impact of a child’s

history on current functioning. NMT

provides the structure to best recognize

the needs of each child enrolled in camp.

Children with trauma histories are often

unable to succeed in traditional sports or

community activities but can benefit from

group dynamics. “We provide a safe and

predictable environment so our campers

can form healthy relationships with their

peers and adult staff,” shares Chelsea

Davis, FamilyForward Therapist and

Group Coordinator.

Our Therapeutic Summer Camps help

children learn to manage emotions and

become more attuned to their own body

signals. “The summertime experience

complements his regular therapy nicely

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Campers express themselves through art

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U PDATE

The transition from summer to fall

typically feels hopeful as we organize

school supplies, talk with our children

about their new classes, and anticipate a

year of growth and discovery. This year

felt different, though, with a wave of gun

violence taking the lives of nearly 20

children in St. Louis since early May.

I’ve been thinking about this pain and

loss every day and am saddened that

simple rituals have been tainted with fear.

Walking to a neighborhood gathering or

attending a high school football jamboree

are no longer safe activities. Local and

national news coverage of these tragedies

has mentioned Adverse Childhood

Experiences (ACEs), the term used to

describe all types of abuse, neglect, and

other potentially traumatic experiences –

like community violence – that occur for

people age 18 and younger.

We know that children who experience

trauma are at high risk for emotional,

behavioral, and relational difficulties. As

the number of ACEs rises, so does the risk

for dangerous activities, potential injury,

and mental health issues. We also know

that individualized, trauma-informed care

promotes healing and prevents long-term

problems for the broader community.

However, that knowledge doesn’t make

today’s heartbreak go away.

I encourage you to support each other

and those who may be hurting. I don’t

have magic words to share, but I do find

comfort in our FamilyForward network

and hope you do too. We can continue to

lift each other up and help make our world

safer and healthier.

Dear friends,

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Karen NolteChief Executive Officer, FamilyForward

Sincerely,

POSTCARDS OF

TRANSFORMATION

FamilyForward’s Teens for Teens

program has been providing

client teenagers with that one

special back-to-school gift for the

past three summers. Created and

organized by Catherine Holt, we

ensure teens receiving services

start the school year in style –

from Nike shoes to North Face

backpacks. Thank you for your

generous donations and support

along the way!

THANK YOU, JEFFERSON FOUNDATION

The mission of the Jefferson Foundation is to provide support for charitable and educational

activities that promote individual and community health and wellbeing in Jefferson County.

FamilyForward recently received a $30,000 grant award to provide mental health services

to Jefferson County children and families who are at high risk for or who have experienced

abuse and neglect.

The Foundation has generously supported FamilyForward since 2014. We appreciate their

continued partnership in advancing safer, healthier relationships for children and families.

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and he has learned new skills for getting

along with other children. Attending camp

with kids who have varying abilities has

also helped my son develop compassion,”

adds Allison.

This summer’s final session, Regulation

Station, focused on coping with stress

through relaxation using yoga, mindfulness,

and other techniques since there is no one-

size-fits-all fix for stress reduction. Freedom

Arts & Education Center added to the camp’s

activities by sharing their expertise in using

art to tell culturally relevant stories and

uplift our community. “One of the greatest

successes this summer stemmed from

campers feeling acceptance from peers who

have experienced similar adversities early

in life,” Chelsea says.

FamilyForward is grateful for Blues for

Kids, the charitable trust of the St. Louis

Blues ( PLAY GLORIA ), for supporting

this program for the past three years.

Their grant funding helps us purchase

supplies and engage community partners

to enhance this summertime experience

for the kids we serve.

Next year’s Therapeutic Summer

Camps for client kids will be added to

familyforwardmo.org/calendar when

sessions open for registration in the

spring. Learn more about how our

comprehensive services move vulnerable

children and families in the direction

of hope all year long at

familyforwardmo.org/how-we-help.

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Campers enjoy a supportive and encouraging environment

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EDITORIAL INFORMATION

FamilyFor ward Transform is published to fur ther our mission and to acknowledge our partners in achieving this mission. Client confidentiality is essential: names of clients have been changed and photos are stock photos , unless we have received cl ient authorization to do otherwise. For corrections or questions, please email meghan.robinson@familyforwardmo.org.

Jessica Dederer

Chief Development Officer

Emily Lunt

Graphic Designer

Meghan Robinson

Marketing and Communications Manager

Our ImpactFamilyForward volunteers made a

huge difference last year, allowing us to better serve the community.

Want to give the gift of your time? Visit

familyforwardmo.org/volunteer to learn more about our

meaningful opportunities for individuals, families,

and groups.

BEAUTIFUL BACKPACKS, CONFIDENT CHILDREN

The Greater St. Louis Chapter of Gateway Decorative Artists donated 65 hand painted backpacks

to FamilyForward this summer. The unique and detailed treasures were distributed to the young

children we serve before the fall 2019 semester began, helping to set them up for success. Thank

you, Gateway Decorative Artists, for generously sharing your talent with FamilyForward and

enriching the lives of children in our community.

volunteer hours logged

2,795

volunteers

469PLANTING SEEDS OF KINDNESS

Volunteers from St. Louis Metro Baptist Association, which connects 140

churches to strengthen their collective impact, recently beautified the

garden at FamilyForward Children’s Home in Brentwood. Parents and

children worked together to weed and plant rose, hosta, and lily bushes.

The results transformed the grounds into enjoyable sensory spaces for

children with developmental disabilities and significant medical needs.

“Our kids still think gardening is fun, so this is great for us. We want

them to grow up understanding that volunteering to help out our

neighbors can be fun too,” one dad shared.

Approximately 500 volunteers from St. Louis Metro Baptist Association

participated in 15 service projects throughout the community.

FamilyForward was lucky enough to partner with 10 wonderful members

of Concord and Waypoint Churches. Thank you for making a difference!

JOIN OUR TEAM!

Work with FamilyForward and move vulnerable children and families in the

direction of hope. Our team is growing! Are you or someone you know out front,

whole hearted, and rock solid?

Please view and share our current openings at familyforwardmo.org/careers .

Guided by a trauma-informed, developmentally sensitive approach,

FamilyForward’s comprehensive services support the child, family, and

broader community.

FamilyForward is an equal opportunity employer. We encourage qualified minority,

female, veteran, disabled, and other diverse candidates to apply and be considered

for open positions. Join us in advancing safer, healthier relationships for children

and families.

HELPING PEOPLE WITH THE UNITED WAY

FamilyForward is proud to be a United Way of Greater St. Louis partner

agency. We have been recipients of their funding support since 1978 and

our team is thrilled to participate in another workplace campaign. The

United Way campaign makes our community stronger and creates

a lasting impact.

At FamilyForward, we’ve created fun giving opportunities – like

purchasing kindness rock grams for colleagues or loved ones – and

incentivized employee participation with prize drawings. While we’re

enjoying the activities and comradery, we don’t do it for the incentives.

Like our supporters, our staff is made up of hand-raisers and game-

changers. We’re thrilled to partner with the United Way, helping people

live their best possible lives. Learn more at helpingpeople.org.

A. Creve Coeur 1167 Corporate Lake Dr Saint Louis, MO 63132-1716 P 314 .968.2350

B. South St. Louis City

3309 S Kingshighway Blvd Saint Louis, MO 63139-1101 P 314 .534 .9350

E. Brentwood Children’s Home 9445 Litzsinger Rd Brentwood, MO 63144-2113 P 314 .918.0492

F. St. Charles Children’s Home

2424 Muegge Rd Saint Charles, MO 63303-3150 P 636.940.1119

C. Hillsboro 4626 Yeager Rd Hillsboro, MO 63050-5210 P 314 .534 .9350

D. Downtown St. Louis Redevelopment Opportunities for Women (ROW)

1914 Olive St, Ste 200 Saint Louis, MO 63103-1693 P 314 .588.8300

Visit familyforwardmo.org to learn more about locations and services.

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OUR SITES

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Governance Board

Matt Harvey President

Megan Bittle Advisor to President, Vice President, Board Affairs

Juliane M. Praiss President Elect, Vice President, Strategic Planning

Douglas R . Beach Secretary, Advocacy Board Liaison

Charles Woods Treasurer, Vice President, Finance

Salvador Hernandez Vice President, Human Resources

Jan L . Hess Vice President, Development

Laura Holt Vice President, Technology

Timothy Leon Vice President, Programs

Gwendolyn Belle Matt Burkemper Wendy Chambers Brian Clevinger, PhD Michael Daming Michael DiSalvo Edgar Ellermann Steven Goldstein Matt Hunt Gregg J. Lepper Earl Ming Aki Puryear, MD Christopher Reid Susan Stith William C. Stude

Karen E . Nolte Chief Executive Officer

4 / 1 6 / 2 0 1 9 - 8 / 1 9 / 2 0 1 9

$100,000 & ABOVEUnited Way of Greater

St. Louis

$50,000 - $99,999Anonymous*Herman T. and Phenie R. Pott

FoundationMissouri Foundation for

Health

$25,000 - $49,999Charity Clothing PickupEpiscopal Presbyterian Health

TrustJefferson Foundation

$15,000 - $24,999 Garcia PropertiesChristopher Reid and

Jennifer DeLaney*

$10,000 - $14,999 Anonymous*Matt and Sandra Burkemper*Brian and Vicki Clevinger*Wayne C. Kaufmann

Charitable Foundation at YouthBridge Community Foundation

The Saigh FoundationState FarmChuck and Sherri Woods*

$5,000 - $9,999Craig and Kristy Biehle*Michael and Therese Burgess*Jessica and Rick Dederer*Mike and Torie DiSalvo*Jenifer and Ivan Garcia*John and Angela Heithaus*Laura Holt*Liz and Scott Johnson*Arnold and Eleanor Larson*Greg and Marcia Stiff*

OU R DONORS

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Bill and Kerrie Stude*

$2,500 - $4,999 Anonymous*Megan and Joel Bittle*Valori Bring*Michael and Rebecca Daming*Emerson Hermetic Motor

DivisionJan and Gabe Hess*Matt and Christina Hunt*Husch Blackwell LLPDonald and Patricia Imholz*John and Sharon Kang*Kappa Delta Sorority, Saint

Louis UniversityLodging Hospitality

ManagementMichael and Corinne

Manchisi*Manchisi Charitable Gift FundMcCarthy Building

Companies, Inc.Karen and William Nolte*Eben and Kristin Shantz*Steve and Janette Taaffe*TriZetto Provider Solutions,

a Cognizant Company

$1,000 - $2,499 Bob and Rose Ahrens*David C. and Lynne

Anderson*Apex Physical Therapy, LLCStephen and Liz Appelbaum*Jeffrey Brasier*CBIZ MHM, LLCCI SelectCSI LeasingSean Donlin*Arthur J. Gallagher & Co.

St. LouisGaming Recruiters, LLCLinda Haley*Dea Hoover and

Declan Rutan*

Samuel Hopmeier*IWR North AmericaAlan and Julia Jones*Gail and Matt Knipshild*Victor Koury*Allen and Kelli Latham*Lockton Companies, LLCEarl and Nikkisha Ming*Ming-Nash Family

Charitable FundMonique and John

Mitalovich*Old Newsboys DayJohn Prazma*Queen of All SaintsSachs Electric CompanyRichard M. Schulze Family

FoundationWilliam Sippo, MD and

Rafaela Sippo*Terrill Smith*Throwbacks Bar & GrillUMB BankWomen’s Independence

Scholarship ProgramKenneth and Beverly Young*

$500 - $999Aetna FoundationAnonymous*Warren and Theresa

Bergquist*The Boeing CompanyMark and Lori EmgeEverspring PharmacyJohn Fabick Tractor Co.Craig C. and Jessica

Hoagland*Phyllis Hoff*David D. MatternTrisha McConkeyMonsanto CompanyRachel and Brian Neukirch*Saint Joseph Parish of

Cottleville

Smoking Hot CigarsFan and Randy TielkingBob Tomaso

$250 - $499Bryan BueskingMichele and Robert DolanDavid and Ramona DunlapBronwen Evers*Neal FisterKaren and Brian Grant*Greg GreenwaldPhilip and Jeanne McDermottOptimist Club of BrentwoodPen Works, LLCKevin SchloemannBill and Ellen Weber*

$100 - $249AnonymousJenn AbbottMike ArbDouglas Beach and

Deborah HenrySteven BlakeJennifer and Richard BlevensBarth BrenenmanLangston ChambersRick and Melissa CodayThomas and Mary Jo

CumminsTom and Kathleen DeWoskinJeffrey DrewBill and Phyllis DyeDavid FinklangRyan and Jocelyn Freeman*Elizabeth GeorgeGreg GettmanDan GoodmanAlice HensenMark HostetlerMike and Lori KirchhoffJulie KuhlmanTimothy and Sue Leon*

Patricia LynnJim and Shirley MasonHolly McCullen*Lauren Nash Ming*Jeffrey MortlandKevin and Deborah MoweryBarbara NahlikNetwork for GoodThomas and Jane PotterDiana PrattMarlene RabeNancy RoseDeborah RoseMarc SchultzSam and Janet SkedStephen SwannYvonne TedderPaul and Nancy Tice*Laura WassonBarbara Wolf

UP TO $99Suzanne AhlfSarah AllmondKenneth AlmondAmazonSmile FoundationAmeya AmbardekarAnonymousDeborah Artman*Mark AugustinePam BakerBank of America Employee

Giving ProgramMelissa BeckeringKim and Gregory BreedenDiane BuddeMichael and Linda BuescherChristine BurghoffJeff CallDonna CampbellDarryl ChouinardLinda and Jeffrey CosperJohn DeGuireMark and Nancy Dendrinelis*

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T hank You!Michael and Michelle DixDarren DowneyJeff DreisewerdMary DrobakTom and Alison DurphyEdgar Ellermann*Michael EmersoneScrip Schnucks ProgramBryan Ferrario*Tom and Ruth Ferris*Elizabeth FinkJohn FultonBrendan Gates and Lisa RoneyMary Lou GoedekerArtys GoesslingPeter and Connie GonzalezMatt GreenlyFrancis GremaudBrian HadicanJim HaferkampBrian HaganBob HarperDan HarperToby HeddinghausScott HempenJohn HenryLeigh Ann HerzWistar HoltMaximillian HsiaoTeresa and Gary JacksBrent JacksonJune JamesJCPenneyKaren KieferKirkwood Baptist Church

Widows MightStephanie KnoeselMarc KolaksLarry and Jill LevyLiberty MutualLloyd LittleCarol LucasEmily and Jason LuntShirley Mason

Kevin and Lisa MaullRobert and Karen MawhorterRon MayoDorothy McCalpinJames McCrearyTom McReynoldsKarl and Andrea MillerScott and Kari MoellenhoffAndrew MuellerTyler MullinsSteve MyersTina and Mike NelsonRob and Sarah NewellSara NewellJeffrey NolteAsmira OgresevicRick OreltThomas PetersonMichael PfitznerEmily PhelpsMike PierceCharlie PiotroskiJayson PollardJim ReikerGreg and Karen RiceAaron RiosMeghan Robinson and Randy

Birkenmeier*Brian RoselandTony RuggeriCarol SaakSarah Salky*Kathy ScharnhorstJames ScheetzLynn and Bob SchenckJohanna SchillingerCarrie SchroederAngela SchultzBill ShackladyBeth ShippVince SiemerAndrew and Emily SiemerIsabel Sippo*Clint Skibinski

Danielle SmithAndy SpannSt. Louis Community

FoundationTodd and Sarah StaleyCharlie StockWilliam and Margaret Stude*Randy StumpfMike SwansonScott ThomasMatt and Monica TicknorMargaret TracyTRUiSTU.S. BankUnitedHealth Group

Employee Giving CampaignAndrew WaibelJanet Weber and Jodi WeberDarla and Don WertenbergerJacob WhittleG. Patrick WilliamsDebra WoodDavid and Melana Zurliene

IN KIND DONATIONSAnonymous*Bob and Rose Ahrens*American Heritage Girls

MO3110Angels of Hope Love is RealAssistance League of St. LouisAT&T Gateway PioneersAttic SaltPam BrennanWayne BrinkmanCardinal Glennon Children’s

HospitalCedar Lake CellarsElizabeth ChildsBill and Phyllis DyeKristin and Brandon EdwardsGateway Decorative ArtistsSteve Goldstein and

Laura Staley*Karen and Brian Grant*

Angela GulvezanJanet HamiltonDe’Ja Harper-WoodJessica IngramBrian and Alicia JettKent LindstromDenisho and Binaca MairidithMcCarthy Building

Companies, Inc.Virginia Murray-TorresKaren and William Nolte*Overlook FarmBryna ParkerValerie PiekutowskiPlatinum Strategies IncWilma PottsProductive Living BoardRosati-Kain High SchoolAmelia RosbachCindi SalabayMs. Lois SeverinSSM HealthSt. Louis BluesThe Legends Country ClubAshley Warren

IN HONOR OFAthel Maureen AycockMelissa Edwards

Anna Mayer BeckBarbara Nahlik

David HaydenPaul and Nancy Tice

Bridget JacksBrian Hagan

Charles JacksTeresa and Gary Jacks

Juliane PraissThe Boeing Company

IN MEMORY OFRonald HusemannArtys Goessling

Frank JurgensmeyerArtys Goessling

William LeberDavid and Ramona Dunlap

Clara ParsonsAnonymousJessica and Rick Dederer*Bill and Phyllis DyeKaren and Brian Grant*Kirkwood Baptist Church

Widows MightKaren and William Nolte*Greg and Karen RiceMeghan Robinson and

Randy Birkenmeier*Carol SaakKathy Scharnhorst

Marvin “Mike” ResnickDarryl Chouinard

Bill RoseNancy Rose

Nancy Ann SmithTerrill Smith*

Parks Thornton John TerryTom and Alison Durphy

*Guardian Society Member

Get Involved

For information on ways you can support FamilyForward, visit familyforwardmo.org/get-involved or contact Jessica Dederer at jessica.dederer@familyforwardmo.org.

DONATE VOLUNTEER MAJORGIFTS

HOLIDAY WISH LISTS

CLOTHING FOR A CAUSE

PLANNED GIVING

1167 Corporate Lake DrSaint Louis, MO 63132-1716314 .968.2350

familyforwardmo.org

OUR VISION

FamilyForward leads the community in providing

innovative solutions for advancing safer, healthier

relationships for children and families.

OUR MISSION

FamilyForward moves vulnerable children in the

direction of hope by delivering comprehensive

therapeutic and educational services to support

biological, foster, and adoptive families.

Transform FA LL 2 019ISSU E .08

T H E R O C K E T B A L L

Saturday, February 22 , 2020 The Ritz-Carlton, St. Louis

D R I V E T H E C H A N G E G O L F T O U R N A M E N T

Monday, June 29, 2020 The Country Club of St. Albans

SAVE TH E

DATES