Epworth Children and Family Services

Epworth children and familiy services

A world in which every youth experiences life in all its fullness.

Epworth is a United Methodist-related community nonprofit with the mission of helping children, youth and families move toward self-sufficiency by focusing on health, housing, education and employment. Nearly 13,000 individuals turn to Epworth each year for emergency shelter, residential and intensive treatment, family reunification therapy, transition to independent living programs, foster family care, prevention services and 24-hour help.

Learn more about their mission at their main website.

How to Serve

Have a heart for youth? Like to cook? Enjoy giving parties and providing good fellowship? Volunteers are needed for hosting parties, making meals, and providing a caring presence at both the residential facility on the Webster Groves campus and the Drop-in Center in Normandy.

To qualify, you need only to enjoy working with youth and be 21 years or older. Safe Gatherings training recommended. Participants needed for daytime and evening events.

volunteer

Back to School Dinner for Epworth's Youth Transitioning out of Foster Care

Be a part of MUMC’s group to plan, prepare, and serve a meal at Epworth’s Drop in Center in Normandy on August 22 from 5 to 8 PM. It will be a festive evening to invite the youth to the center for food, games and prizes. MUMC will be responsible for the meal and provide some prizes. Carpooling available.

Also, if you prefer daytime events, sign up to serve lunch for youth who have insecure housing. We prepare and serve the food at Epworth’s Drop in Center on the second Friday and fourth Wednesday of every month. Carpooling available.

Not able to volunteer but interested in providing a meal for the Epworth youth?

This can be as easy as ordering pizza and having it delivered or Drop-In Center staff picking food up from a local restaurant. Please email ministry leader, Barb Zenser.

Do you like to help plan parties?

Season Parties at both locations (EVENINGS)

Manchester UMC’s Epworth Ministry hosts seasonal parties, i.e., Back-to-School barbecues, Holiday parties, Graduation party, etc., for youth residing at the Epworth Children & Family Ministry dorms and emergency shelter. Rotating teams of volunteers plan and direct parties for the youth residing at the Webster Groves Campus and also for the youth transitioning out of foster care at the Drop-in Center in Normandy.

Join this team by completing the form below. If questions, please email the Epworth ministry leader, Barb Zenser.

Please complete one form per Person:

Donate

Most Needed donations

Epworth Children and Family Services are requesting the following items for the youth 11-18 who reside at the residential treatment center at Epworth’s Webster Campus.

Supplies for Back-to-School:

Backpacks
Mechanical Pencils
Wooden Pencils
Pens
Highlighters
Plastic Folders
Notebooks
Earbuds
Dry erase markers
Loose leaf paper
Binders

Other supplies needed:

Bath Towels
Deodorant (travel or regular) sizes
Basketball shorts: Small – 3XL (Men & Ladies)
Underwear: 5 – 10 (Ladies)
Boxer Briefs: Small – 3XL (Men’s)

Supplies can be dropped off at the Epworth Donation bin outside of the MUMC church office.

Additional items are needed. Click Here to download the complete list of items.

Form more information on Epworth Children & Family Services, contact the ministry leader, Barb Zenser.

Did You Know?

Manchester UMC’s 2023 Christmas Mission special “above and beyond” donations funded these meals and experiences for Epworth’s youth? We are hoping to be able to do the same in 2024!

Here is a summary of how Manchester UMC volunteers put those monies to work in 2023.

Manchester UMC volunteers have prepared meals that served 40 Street Out Reach youth on 28 days this year. (That’s 1,120 servings!)
Manchester UMC volunteers prepared meals, gifts and games at the Drop-in Center (Back to School event, Graduation celebrations and Christmas party) for the youth transitioning out of foster care. There are approximately 30 – 40 youth who attend these events.
Manchester UMC volunteers planned and provided games, crafts and treats for the 40-youth residing at the Epworth Residential Center and the Youth Emergency Shelter at Easter, Halloween and Christmas. (Yes, they have transported everything from jelly beans to pumpkins to the dorms!)
Manchester UMC volunteers purchased birthday presents for 23 youth who are living in the Epworth dorms. (Many of these youth have no interactions with their families and therefore, don’t otherwise get gifts on their birthdays.)
Manchester UMC volunteers have provided treats and activities for the LGBTQ youth attending the Drop-In Center. (Up to 40% of youth identifying as LGBTQ may be on the street. They need a safe, caring place to gather.)