“I was born into chaos,” Leoma Carter says. Her mother was a heroin addict who ended up in prison. Leoma bounced from foster home to foster home and was suspended from school for aggressive behavior and seemingly uncontrollable rage. “Every adult I trusted had given up on me,” she says. “By the time I got the call from Epworth Children & Family Services, I had almost lost hope.” Today, she has a 5-year-old son, works full time and maintains a 3.3 GPA at Saint Louis University. She enjoys a mutually respectful relationship with her mother, who is now sober. And she volunteers at Epworth’s teen drop-in center. “I want to help struggling individuals, just like Epworth helped me.”
Epworth provides essential support services to troubled youth from birth to age 25. “These kids have severe mental, emotional and behavioral issues, often rooted in neglect and physical, sexual or emotional abuse,” says CEO Kevin Drollinger. More than 7,000 youth and their families turn to Epworth each year. “We’re committed to keeping families together, preventing abuse and neglect, and encouraging self-sufficiency in at-risk youth.”
Epworth’s scope ranges from short-term emergency shelter and a 24-hour hotline for troubled kids to long-term legislative efforts in support of foster children and families. Services include residential and day treatment programs, education and special education, counseling, family reunification therapy, case management, and foster family recruitment and training. Nationally recognized for its transitional and independent living programs, Epworth is part of the St. Louis Aging Out Initiative, which provides education, training and advocacy for young people who leave the foster care system.
For 150 years, Epworth’s philosophy has helped young people and their families overcome adversity and thrive. “Every child has unique strengths,” Drollinger says. “We offer an innovative, holistic and comprehensive treatment approach that helps young people discover and build on their inherent strengths. By tailoring our services to each family’s unique needs, we help them focus on solutions and communicate more effectively. Our goal is to help families break through obstacles and build brighter futures so they can function successfully and contribute to society.”
Helping kids and families requires community support. The Epworth Children & Family Services Annual Charity Polo Match takes place June 7 at Kraftig Polo Club in Defiance, Mo. Honorary co-chairs are Christi and Billy Busch, hosted by St. Louis Benefit Polo. The family event features a fast-paced match between the Kraftig team, captained by Busch of William K. Busch Brewing Co., and the Wells Fargo Advisors team, led by Seth Barnes of the financial services firm. Kid-friendly activities include barbecue, horse-drawn wagon rides and divot-stomping. “Supporting at-risk youth and their families makes a huge difference throughout our region,” Drollinger says. “Everyone wins when at-risk kids discover their potential and lead useful, productive lives.”
Just ask Leoma, now 29. “I am forever grateful to Epworth for helping me see all the good things in myself and what I could become.”
Photo by Colin Miller of Strauss Peyton
Pictured: David Choden of Wells Fargo Advisors and Billy Busch of William K. Busch Brewing Co.
[The Epworth Children & Family Services 19th Annual Charity Polo Match takes place June 7 at Kraftig Polo Club in Defiance, Mo. Admission is $25 per car. For more information, call 314.961.5718 or visit epworth.org.]