Our social workers are the living embodiment of our values. They lead with integrity. They treat every person as valued. And through steady, consistent presence, they create lasting value in the lives of children and families across Missouri.

No one chooses this work because it is easy. They choose it because something in them will not look away. From kitchen tables to courtrooms to quiet therapy offices, they show up in the moments that matter most, often when families are carrying more than they ever expected.

National Social Work Month gives us a chance to recognize the profession. It is also an invitation to hear from the people on the front lines every day.

We asked five members of our LFCS team a simple question: Why do you serve? Their answers remind us that social work is not just a career. It is a calling.

Voices From Our Team

“I became a social worker because I wanted to have a career where I could help and serve others in some way. I think that we all experience times in our lives when we need a little bit of help, and I love getting to be that support person for clients. Sometimes we just need someone in our corner who we know is rooting for us and standing by our side, and it is so fulfilling to me to get to do that every day!”

Erin Doughten, MSW, LMSW, Social Worker

“I chose Social Work as my avenue to pursue clinical therapy because the social work code of ethics outlines all of my personal beliefs and I appreciate how the discipline considers the client as a person, their environment, and how social systems impact them.”

Stephanie Kippenberger, LCSW, Behavioral Health Supervisor

“My life has been better since I became a social worker- as I am able to meet people where they are at in life, walk beside them, and offer support in a non-judgmental fashion, while helping them to discover their own strength from within.”

Ruth Downs, LCSW, Lead Therapist

“I became a social worker because I believe every person deserves to be seen, heard, and valued, especially in their hardest seasons. I was drawn to this field by a deep commitment to advocacy, healing, and creating systems that truly support children, families, and communities. Social work allows me to combine compassion with leadership to create meaningful, lasting changes in the lives of others.”

Anastasia Wexler, LCSW, Assistant Director of Behavioral Health

“Social work became a later-in-life dream of mine when I realized that supporting and empowering people was my biggest passion. I love loving on people, but what I have discovered is that being a social worker goes way beyond doing something I love. My work is making me a humble and compassionate human who gets the privilege of knowing everyday heroes doing the hard work of getting up each day and trying again..”

Kathleen Gamble, LMSW, Provisionally Licensed Therapist

What That Calling Looks Like in Real Life

The heart behind this work shows up in quiet, consistent ways. In 2025, our team served families in every corner of Missouri, walking alongside them during some of life’s most difficult seasons.

Our 2025 Impact:

• 4,600+ households served statewide.
• 65,000+ service engagements, including Counseling, Adoption and Foster Care Support, Pregnancy Support, and advocacy.
• 94% of clients achieved documented progress toward safety, stability, or emotional wellness goals.

These numbers are not just statistics. Explore our Annual Report to see the full picture of what your support makes possible. Whether through these core services or our specialized Parenting Education programs, our team turns compassion into measurable, lasting change.

One Mission. Five Regions. One Calling.

While these professionals serve in different communities, they are united by the same values. Social work is demanding work. It asks for patience, resilience, and the willingness to sit with uncertainty. But seeing a child feel safe, a parent regain confidence, or a family move toward stability makes every challenge worth it.

We are incredibly proud of the compassion, professionalism, and steady leadership our team brings to Missouri families every single day.

Help Us Continue the Mission

If these voices moved you this Social Work Month, consider making a gift to ensure we can reach even more families in 2026.

Make a Gift to LFCS

Join the Team

Are you looking for a mission-driven culture where your work is valued and your “why” matters? We are always looking for passionate people to join our statewide family.

Explore Our Current Career Opportunities

The work we do at Lutheran Family and Children’s Services (LFCS) is rooted in purpose and sustained by the real progress of the families we serve. As we begin 2026, we know the challenges facing children and families are growing, especially as rising costs for essentials like food and housing leave many Missouri families just one unexpected bill away from a crisis. Meeting these needs requires not only compassion, but a straightforward approach to how we use our time and resources.

In 2026, we’re embracing three interconnected ideas: Values, Value, and Valued. It’s a fresh lens for how we think about our work and our mission. Rather than just a formal theme, this framework helps us focus on what matters most: staying grounded in our principles, maximizing community impact, and ensuring that every person connected to LFCS continues to feel respected and appreciated.

Our Foundation: Clear, Consistent VALUES

Our values are the fundamental principles that guide every decision, from how we support our team to how we serve our clients. For more than 150 years, LFCS has responded to the changing needs of Missouri families, guided by compassion, dignity, and adaptability.

On the ground, these values mean showing up for a family when things are at their most difficult. It means treating every person with the respect they deserve and giving families the tools they need to build their own path forward. When we do that, every interaction reflects the heart of our mission.

We saw these values showcased through a recent feature story on St. Louis Public Radio, where we discussed the urgent need for foster families and our commitment to fixing the system that supports Missouri’s children. These shared values anchor our decisions and ensure that our legacy of service continues to evolve. You can see how these principles shape our mission on our Who We Are page.

Our People: Making Sure Everyone Feels VALUED

The work of caring for others is demanding and stays with you long after the day is done.

In 2026, we’re putting even more focus on taking care of the people who take care of Missouri. Our focus was recently spotlighted in a news feature celebrating National Social Work Month, where LFCS was recognized for the vital role our team plays in stabilizing the St. Louis community.

In 2026, we are deepening our commitment to the people who care for Missouri. A recent news feature celebrating National Social Work Month recognized LFCS and others who play vital roles in the St. Louis community.

But we know that recognition is not enough. It must be backed by the kind of advocacy that creates lasting change. That’s why we have led efforts to address the “quiet crisis” facing Missouri nonprofits, pushing for the health and sustainability of social service agencies.

Just as we advocate for our team, we are equally committed to ensuring every client feels valued, meaning everyone who walks through our door is welcomed with dignity, listened to without judgment, and seen as a person, not a case number.

If you’re looking for a place where your work matters and you are valued, please explore our career opportunities.

Moving Forward Together

Strong Values lead to greater Value, which ensures every person connected to LFCS feels genuinely Valued. As we head into the new year, our three Vs provide a road map, helping us move forward with even more purpose.

Stay Connected with LFCS

• See what we do year-round: lfcsmo.org
• Support Our Mission: If you share our Values, consider making a gift today to help us deliver even more Value to Missouri families.
• Follow the journey: Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn

It’s the most wonderful time of the year. It’s a season for hope, gratitude, and reflection on the powerful difference one life can make. Few stories capture that spirit better than Frank Capra’s 1946 classic film, It’s a Wonderful Life.

Inspired by George’s revelation, we asked ourselves a similar question: What would life look like for Missouri families if Lutheran Family and Children’s Services (LFCS) had never existed?

It’s a chilling thought.

When the Safety Net Disappears

In this imagined world without LFCS, the consequences are immediate and heartbreaking for vulnerable children and families across Missouri.

Safe Homes Left Behind

Picture a child needing emergency placement after abuse or neglect. Without LFCS’s foster care services, the network of caring, well-trained foster families we recruit, and support would be gone. That child, instead of finding comfort and stability, might languish in a state office or be moved far from home, prolonging their trauma.

Compassion Taken Away

Think of a young woman facing an unplanned pregnancy—frightened, uncertain, and alone. Without LFCS’s free, confidential pregnancy support, she would have no nonjudgmental space to explore her options or access ongoing support. The courage and love we celebrate in birth parents would be replaced by isolation.

Children Struggling for Support

Now imagine a middle schooler battling intense anxiety after a family crisis—or a teenager sinking into depression. Without LFCS’s accessible counseling and wellness services, their path to healing would disappear. That young person’s potential would be dim without the professional guidance they need to recover and grow.

Parents Without Guidance

Imagine a parent struggling to navigate the challenges of raising children—overwhelmed and unsure where to turn. Without LFCS’s parenting services, families would lack the tools, guidance, and encouragement needed to create nurturing, stable homes, leaving children without the benefits of confident, informed caregiving.

The Wonderful Reality We Build Together

Thankfully, this bleak vision is only a story—a “world without LFCS” that will never come true. Because, like George Bailey’s return to Bedford Falls, we see the difference that hope, and compassion make every day. Because of our dedicated supporters, volunteers, and staff, LFCS continues to be there for those who need 

us most. You are all Clarences, guiding families back toward hope and helping us make sure that safe homes, compassionate counseling, and strong foundations never disappear.

As you look toward your year-end giving, help us keep this “wonderful life” promise real for Missouri children and families. Click here to donate. For more information, please visit our website or help@lfcs.org

November is a time to celebrate the beauty of adoption, yet birth parents, often the most courageous part of the adoption story, are frequently overlooked.

At Lutheran Family and Children’s Services (LFCS), we are dedicating National Adoption Month to raising awareness of the free, confidential counseling and lifelong support we provide to honor and care for those who make the selfless decision to place their child for adoption.

The True Meaning of Courage and Love

Choosing adoption is one of the most profound and loving decisions a parent can make. It’s a choice made from love and the desire to give a child their best possible future.

“For birth parents, the adoption journey is an act of incredible courage and love,” said Melani Engel, Director of Adoption Services for LFCS. “It’s a decision rooted in deep care for their child’s future, and our mission is to support them before, during, and long after placement.” This perspective reframes the adoption experience. It turns a narrative of loss into one of empowerment and strength.

Modern Adoption: Embracing Openness and Partnership

Adoption has evolved. Today, most adoptions include ongoing relationships between birth and adoptive families, reflecting a more compassionate and connected approach.

According to the National Council for Adoption (NCFA), approximately 95 percent of domestic infant adoptions now include some degree of openness, allowing for continued communication and mutual respect between families.

LFCS’s commitment is strengthened through its partnership with BraveLove, a national nonprofit dedicated to equipping professionals and agencies with resources to better support birth parents.

“Every woman deserves access to the resources and support she needs to make a well-informed decision about her pregnancy and continued care after placement,” said Janelle Basham, Executive Director of BraveLove. “We’re proud to partner with Lutheran Family and Children’s Services in honoring the courage and love shown through adoption, this month and every month.”

Free, Lifelong Support from LFCS

Our commitment extends far beyond the moment of placement. LFCS provides comprehensive, nonjudgmental services for birth parents at every step of their journey:

• Free, confidential counseling: A safe, supportive space for women and men considering adoption to explore their options and emotions.
• Guidance and education: Clear, step-by-step guidance through the adoption process so parents feel informed and supported.
• Post-Placement counseling and support: Ongoing counseling and support groups promote healing and long-term emotional well-being.

To reach more families across Missouri, LFCS is expanding its video library and digital outreach, complementing BraveLove’s powerful stories like:

“We want every birth parent in Missouri to know that they are not alone,” said Engel. “There are compassionate professionals ready to listen, to help them heal and to support their future with dignity and care.”

Ready to Listen and Help.

For more information about Lutheran Family and Children’s Services, including adoption services and support for birth parents, visit https://lfcsmo.org/, call 866-326-LFCS, or email help@lfcs.org.

Across Missouri—and the country—nonprofits are facing an urgent and unprecedented reality. Operational costs are rising due to inflation, while government contracts and fixed grants have lost their purchasing power. Organizations like Lutheran Family and Children’s Services of Missouri are being asked to do more with less, at the exact moment when more people than ever are turning to us for help.

We launched the Meet The Moment campaign to rally support around this growing crisis, because the truth is: when nonprofits can’t meet the needs of their communities, real lives are impacted.

A Sector Under Pressure

We are not alone in this struggle. According to the 2025 State of the Nonprofit Sector Report:

• 65% of nonprofits report that staffing shortages are impeding their ability to deliver services.
• 77% have seen an increase in demand for their programs.
• Three out of four have been forced to reduce staff or cut programs.
• 87% report increased demand for mental health services, even while struggling to find the staff to provide them.
• Nearly half lack the funds needed to meet client demand.

food on the table, and access mental health care. Without adequate support, these challenges ripple into our broader society—increasing emergency room visits, straining school systems, and deepening systemic inequality.

How LFCS Has Responded

Despite these challenges, LFCS has not stood still. Over the past several years, we have made bold, intentional decisions to grow in response to community need:

• Expanded in-person capacity through office renovations, allowing us to see more clients face-to-face.
• Opened new offices in Kansas City, extending our reach to children and families in Northwest Missouri.
• Prioritized the hiring of counselors, case managers, and social workers to make sure clients are not left waiting for the help they desperately need.
• Expanded our parenting program to strengthen the family unit and reduce the risk of abuse and neglect.

These changes weren’t optional. They were necessary to meet the real needs of Missouri families. But they come at a cost—and that’s where we need your help.

Help Us Meet the Moment

The Meet The Moment campaign is a call to action. It’s a call to everyone who believes in the importance of mental health care, strong families, and children growing up in safe, loving homes.

At LFCS, we are committed to:

• Addressing Missouri’s mental health crisis
• Reducing child abuse and neglect
• Empowering clients to overcome heartbreak and trauma
• Supporting families navigating infertility
• Making an impact (view our 2024 annual report here to see how)

Guided by Jesus’ call to love one another, serve those in need, and be a light in the world, we are asking you to partner with us in this mission.

Our goal is to raise $150,000 by June 30. These funds will go directly to programs that are making a difference every single day.

When we fail to meet the moment, our communities suffer. But when we rise together—when we choose to act—real healing happens.

Join us. Give today. Help us Meet the Moment. Donate Today

Social workers are the foundation of strong communities, dedicating their time and expertise to helping individuals and families overcome obstacles and build brighter futures. Their efforts often go unnoticed, yet they are essential in providing support, advocacy, and life-changing services. At Lutheran Family and Children’s Services of Missouri, we are proud to recognize and celebrate our social workers during National Social Worker Appreciation Month for their unwavering commitment to those we serve.

A Commitment to Transforming Lives

“Our social workers are the backbone of our organization and the heart of our mission,” said Mike Duggar, President and Chief Executive Officer of LFCS. “We are honored to celebrate their tremendous contributions during March and throughout the year.”

LFCS social workers play a vital role in providing critical services such as adoption, pregnancy support, parenting services, and mental health counseling. In 2024 alone, they have made a remarkable impact:

• Provided nearly 67,333 parenting service hours.
• Provided approximately 25,719 pregnancy service hours.
• Provided 3,347 adoption service hours to connect children with loving families.

These numbers reflect the dedication and hard work of LFCS social workers in ensuring families receive the support they need to thrive.

The Essential Role of Social Workers

According to the National Association of Social Workers, millions of families across the United States face challenges that impact their well-being, from economic hardship to mental health struggles. Social workers serve as advocates, helping individuals navigate complex systems and access the resources they need.

One such advocate is Latizia Williams, who has been with LFCS for 18 years and now serves as Assistant Director of Parenting Services.

“Every day in social work is different, and that’s what I love about it,” said Williams. “From helping a child find a loving adoptive home to supporting a parent struggling with addiction, we have the chance to make a tangible difference in people’s lives. Knowing that my work contributes to stronger families and healthier communities is what motivates me.”

How You Can Celebrate Social Workers

Throughout National Social Worker Appreciation Month, LFCS encourages individuals, donors, partners, and the community to show their support. Here’s how you can get involved:

• Show your appreciation – Thank a social worker for their service or share your gratitude on social media using #CompassionPlusAction #SWMonth2025 #SocialWorkMonth.

• Support LFCS programs – Consider making a donation to sustain essential services for children and families across the state.

• Spread the word – Help raise awareness of the critical role social workers play in strengthening communities.

Social workers at LFCS go above and beyond every day to ensure families receive the support they need. This month, and throughout the year, let’s recognize and honor their invaluable contributions.

For more information about LFCS services, visit lfcsmo.org, call 866-326-LFCS, or email help@lfcs.org.

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.”

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