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
Help teach Teens to Prepare a Dish or Bake (Daytime)
Dates: Fri, Mar. 15; Sat, Mar. 16; Wed, Mar. 20; and Thurs, Mar. 21
Location: Epworth Children and Family Services Drop-in Center in Normandy
Prepare a dish together or bake a favorite dessert with the youth! Help these youth develop life skills and have an enjoyable spring break!
NOTE: Once you sign up, Barb Zenser will contact you to discuss potential recipes, quantity, etc.
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. Please email ministry leader, Barb Zenser.
Do you like to help plan parties?
Season Parties at both locations (EVENINGS)
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 needed:
- Bath Towels
- Deodorant (travel or regular) sizes
Supplies can be dropped off at the Epworth Donation bin outside of the MUMC church office.
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.
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.)
Thank you for your gifts of time, energy, prayers and funds.
