Each holiday season, FamilyForward brings joy to the children, teens, and families we support through our special holiday gift project. This year, we’re excited to introduce new ways to make the season brighter—explore how you can get involved and make a difference below.

Ways to Give:

Donate gift cards – Gift cards allow parents and guardians to choose the best gifts for their children, giving them a sense of autonomy and joy during the holidays. You can shop directly from our Amazon wishlist here for gift cards in $25, $50, or $100 increments. Alternatively, donate funds for gift card purchases by visiting our donate page and selecting “Holiday Wish List” from the dropdown menu. For more details, contact Emily Birgenheier.

Sponsor a child or family – Help relieve the holiday stress for a child or family in our programs by providing them with toys, household essentials, and clothing items. You’ll receive a list of specific gift requests, and we ask that you purchase 2-3 gifts per individual. For more details, contact Sarah Hollstrom.

Host a toy drive – Organize a toy and gift collection to support FamilyForward families. We’ll provide a list of requested items to help guide your drive. Contact Sarah at Sarah Hollstrom for details.

Let us know if you’re interested in supporting this project by December 9th!

National Adoption Month

November is National Adoption Month, a time to honor everyone impacted by adoption—especially the dedicated professionals and families who make a difference. FamilyForward is proud to support kinship and adoptive families with trauma-informed resources to help children build confidence, recognize their strengths, and thrive. View our trainings below.

Celebrating 40 Years of Service!

This month, we’re celebrating a major milestone—Karen Nolte, our CEO, is marking 40 years of service at FamilyForward! Karen began her career as a pregnancy counselor at the Children’s Home Society of Missouri. After the 2017 merger, she became CEO, guiding our mission and shaping our impact. We’re lucky to have her leadership. Congratulations, Karen!

Rocket Ball 2025: Imagining Futures

Join us for FamilyForward’s signature event on Saturday, February 8th, at Union Station in downtown St. Louis. Your attendance supports children and families as they imagine and build brighter futures full of hope and possibility. Learn more and purchase tickets below.

2023 Annual Report

FamilyForward made significant strides in 2023 with the opening of The Lesley Ann Waldheim Early Childhood Center and the introduction of trauma-focused occupational therapy—allowing us to transform tomorrows for the children and families we serve. Read the full report below.