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

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Lunch Outreach at Drop-In Center (Daytime)

Rotating teams of volunteers prepare and serve lunches for youth who have no secure housing. Preparation and serving occurs at Epworth Children and Family Services Drop-in Center in Normandy. Dates are typically the second Friday and fourth Wednesday of every month. Carpooling is 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.

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Epworth Volunteers Needed

Epworth is in need of the following volunteers:

  • Food Pantry (7500 Natural Bridge Rd, Normandy) volunteers on the 3rd Saturday of the month from 8:30a-Noon to pack food boxes and help distribute food.
  • Tabling at the Tower Grove Farmers Market (Tower Grover Park, St. Louis) – Volunteers are needed every Saturday in April to advertise the upcoming Duck Derby.  Sign Up to sling ducks and talk to folks about Epworth. Volunteers will be required to attend a virtual training before their volunteer date.
  • Duck Derby Day Helpers (110 N. Elm Ave, St. Louis) May 6.  A lot of helping hands are needed to make the Epworth Duck Derby. Sign Up to help staff our carnival games, concession stand and more!  
For volunteer opportunities, please email Elisabeth Condon.

Seasonal Parties at Both Locations (Evenings)

Manchester UMC’s Epworth Ministry hosted a Christmas Cookie Decorating Party for youth residing at the Epworth Children & Family Ministry dorms and emergency shelter.  Volunteers planned and provided cookies to decorate and holiday games for all participants. 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. Parties are seasonal and include such activities as Valentines’ Day cookie decoration, Graduation party, Back to School Barbecues, etc. 

Epworth also accepts the following in-kind donations. Please place the following donations in the marked “Epworth” donation bin near the Main Church Office.
Clothing

Low cut socks
Men’s white undershirts (S, M, L)
Gently used clothing
Women’s underwear size 5 & 6

Toiletries

Body wash
Shampoo
Conditioner
Lotion
Deodorant

Food

Bottled water
Snack bags
Pull-top canned goods
Ramen noodles
Granola bars

Form more information on Epworth Children & Family Services, contact the Missions Director, Liz Shuburte.

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