Epworth Children and Family Services Campaign to End Child ...

Posted on: 11:22 am, August 17, 2012, by Kelley Hoskins, updated on: 11:57am, August 17, 2012

?

UNIVERSITY CITY , MISSOURI (KTVI)- More than 1.5 million American Children are living in poverty and 1 in every 50 American children and youth experience homelessness each year. Epworth Children Family Services Center in University City provides residential care for children and youth from all of Missouri who have no place to turn for shelter. Richard knows all to well what it means to be homeless. He was just two -years-old- when his family was living in poverty . He says his family was forced everyday to make tough decisions between buying groceries or paying rent. One day without any warning an unexpected event resulted in the family becoming homeless. ?I really did not feel good so I just came here and tried to better myself more so I would not have to be in that situation I was in at that time,? said Richard.

Years later Richard returned to the Epworth Children Family Service Center to say thank you to those who help make a difference in his life and help him find a safe place to live.

For 145 years, Epworth Children & Family Services has provided our community with essential youth development services that have helped thousands of children overcome severe emotional and behavioral challenges. Epworth?s innovative, holistic, and comprehensive treatment approach helps youth focus on solutions, build on inherent strengths and communicate more effectively. Over 2,000 youth and families turn to Epworth each year for emergency shelter, residential and intensive treatment, family reunification therapy, transitional and independent living programs, special education, foster family care and a 24-hour help line. Epworth?s strength-based therapeutic philosophy builds on the individual strengths of youth and families, thus increasing the capacity of each to thrive in society.

Epworth was founded as a mission agency of the United Methodist Church to care for Civil War orphans, and it continues to work in partnership with both the community at large and the church to meet the needs of contemporary youth. Today, Epworth is an independent agency serving all children and families, regardless of religious affiliation.

Epworth was founded as a mission agency of the United Methodist Church to care for Civil War orphans, and it continues to work in partnership with both the community at large and the church to meet the needs of contemporary youth. Today, Epworth is an independent agency serving all children and families, regardless of religious affiliation ?In the past couple of years we have gone from serving over 2-thousand youth to over 5-thousand youth and everyday that group will drop in the center to the kids who have no place to go,? Laura Dickerson -Epworth Spokesperson.

?There are alot of kids, a lot more than we see, they are invisible to us, but these kids are going to school everyday, functioning everyday , just like every other kids, but look at the challenges they have to go through once they leave that classroom,said Latia King,Volunteer with Epworth.

The Epworth underwear drive takes place from Back to School through until the end of November. Many of the kids have no underwear at all that visit the home.

Donations are being accepted at the Epworth Webster Groves location, at area churches, businesses, and select McDonald?s locations. Please check the website at http://www.epworth.org/ for more information.

Source: http://fox2now.com/2012/08/17/epworth-children-family-services-campaign-to-end-child-homelessness/

gordon hayward gas prices rising stars challenge star trek 2 kathy ireland brooke mueller all star weekend