BFT’s latest news and stories

The holidays can be a joyful time — but for many older youth and young adults transitioning out of foster care, this season can also feel uncertain and isolating. That’s why moments of community care matter so deeply. This holiday season, Bringing Families Together  is incredibly grateful to Carrollton Bank  for adopting several of our Transitional Living Scattered Site (TLSS) youth  and collecting thoughtful gifts just for them. Their generosity is a powerful reminder that w

This month, we’re celebrating someone who’s quickly made his mark at Bringing Families Together — Daqez Davis , Family Service Worker  on our Case Management Team  and our November Employee of the Month!  💜 Although Daqez joined BFT just this past June , he’s already earned the admiration of his peers — and this recognition means even more because our Employee of the Month honors are voted on by team members themselves. Daqez brings both heart and presence  to his work with

We’re excited to welcome Nick Trimble  to Bringing Families Together ! Nick joined our Case Management Team  in October 2025  as a Family Service Worker . Nick comes to BFT with experience as a Foster Care Case Manager at Epworth Children and Family Services, bringing a strong understanding of the challenges and rewards of supporting children and families in foster care. When asked what he loves most about working at BFT, Nick shared: “My favorite thing about working with chi

We’re excited to welcome Brianna Tippin  to Bringing Families Together ! Brianna joined our Resource Team  in July 2025  as a Family Development Specialist . Brianna brings enthusiasm, dedication, and a passion for supporting children and families. Her favorite part of the role? “I enjoy working with my team. Meeting all my new families has been a great and rewarding experience.” With her A.S., B.S., and currently pursuing her M.S.W. , Brianna is committed to learning, growin

We’re excited to introduce Kyle Dunn , who joined our Transitional Living Team  in June 2025  as a TLSS Specialist ! Kyle works with teens and young adults in our Transitional Living Program , helping youth prepare for independence and providing guidance so they can confidently step into adulthood when they leave foster care. His favorite part of the role? “My favorite thing about working at BFT is seeing the young adults come into our Transitional Living Program with limited

We’re excited to introduce Ashley Smith , who joined our Case Management Team  in October 2025  as a Family Service Worker ! Ashley brings a strong background in behavioral health and education, having served as a Crisis Response Clinician  with Behavioral Health Response and as a substitute teacher with both the Hazelwood School District and Confluence Academy. Her experience equips her to support children and families through challenges while helping them build stability an

We’re so happy to welcome Vickie Desire Nasirumbi  to Bringing Families Together!  She joined our Case Management Team  in June 2025  as a Family Service Worker , bringing international experience, deep compassion and a heart for advocacy to her work with children and families. Before joining BFT, Vickie Desire served as a Social Worker with Save the Children–Africa  and United Nations Women , where she supported families through crisis, education, and empowerment programs. H

At Bringing Families Together, our TLSS (Transitional Living Scattered Site) program is all about helping youth build the skills, confidence and support networks they need for independence—and that includes caring for both their practical needs and their emotional well-being. On October 26, our TLSS team hosted another inspiring monthly training filled with learning, reflection and connection. 💼 Building Strong Foundations The group began by updating their portfolios of imp

We’re excited to introduce another incredible addition to our Bringing Families Together family — Gillian Blount , who joined our Case Management Team in July 2025 as a Family Service Worker! Gillian brings both passion and strong professional experience to her role, holding M.S. and B.S. degrees  and several years of experience supporting children, youth and families across Arkansas. Before joining BFT, she worked as a Qualified Behavioral Health Professional and Case Manage

We’re thrilled to welcome Daqez Davis  to our Bringing Families Together family! Daqez joined our Case Management Team in June 2025 as a Family Service Worker , and he’s already making an impact with his steady presence, dedication, and commitment to the families we serve. With a B.S. degree  and four years of experience in behavioral health , Daqez brings both professional expertise and a genuine heart for helping others. His background has shaped his understanding of how co

Family Service Worker | Case Management Team At Bringing Families Together, we believe success is about more than milestones—it’s about the people who walk alongside families every step of the way. This month, we’re excited to celebrate one of those people: Zylinnea “Zee” Rogers , our September Employee of the Month ! Zee joined BFT in January 2025  as a Family Service Worker  on our Case Management Team , bringing with her a B.A.  and a passion for supporting families in mea

We’re excited to introduce one of the newer members of our Bringing Families Together family— Shelby Howard , who joined our Case Management Team in June 2025 as a Family Service Worker! Shelby came to BFT with 20 years of experience in social services , including leadership roles supporting individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, work with children and youth in residential care, and service with the Tennessee Children’s Division. His extensive backgroun

What picture comes to mind when you hear the term “social worker”? If you are like many Americans, you pictured a woman. Much like nurses and teachers, many think of social services as a female-dominated field. These disciplines require patience, empathy, and a caring spirit to be successful. Women are indeed drawn to such jobs. For example, statistics show that about 79% of social workers are women versus about 21% of men. However, more Americans are breaking from traditiona

September is National Kinship Care Month , a time to honor the grandparents, aunts, uncles, siblings and family friends who open their homes and hearts to children in need of a safe, loving place to grow. At Bringing Families Together, we recognize the unique role kinship caregivers play in keeping children connected to their families, cultures, and communities. Kinship care can provide children with a sense of stability and belonging during times of uncertainty. Maintaining

At Bringing Families Together, we believe that preparing youth for independence means more than just providing housing—it’s about equipping them with the practical skills, confidence and support systems they need to thrive. That’s why our TLSS ( Transitional Living Scattered Site ) program holds monthly trainings designed to teach, encourage, and empower our youth in real and meaningful ways. Led by our dedicated TLSS Coordinator, Angel Crawford , and supported by our TLSS Sp

When people think about foster care, the image that often comes to mind is of young children. But the truth is, many of the children waiting for homes are teenagers—and they deserve the same love, stability and support as any other child. Teens in foster care are at a critical stage in life. They’re navigating big emotions, planning for the future, and trying to figure out where they belong. Unfortunately, many of them have experienced instability and loss, which can make thi

Fall is just around the corner, and that means one of our favorite family traditions is back — Bringing Families Together’s Annual Trunk or Treat! Mark your calendars for Saturday, October 11, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.  and join us at our Hazelwood office:📍 7151 N Lindbergh Blvd, Hazelwood, MO 63042 This family-friendly event is open to everyone, and we’ve got an afternoon packed with festive fun: 🍬 Free candy  for all the little ghouls and goblins 🍿 Fresh popcorn 🍰 Cake walk

When most people think of foster care, they picture young children. But the reality is that many of the youth who need safe, nurturing...

Lead Family Support Specialist | Home Visitation Team At Bringing Families Together , our Employee of the Month is chosen by the people who know the work best—our team. That’s why this recognition is extra special: it’s a reflection of respect, trust, and appreciation from peers. And this month, the spotlight shines on Dawn Mathes ! Dawn joined BFT in August 2021  and has been a cornerstone of our Home Visitation Team  ever since. With a B.S.  degree and a strong background a

For many students, the first day of school brings excitement—new backpacks, sharpened pencils, fresh notebooks, and the chance to reconnect with friends. But for youth in foster care, back to school often looks and feels very different. Instead of a familiar routine, it may be a brand-new school, again. New hallways to navigate. Classrooms filled with unfamiliar faces. Teachers who don’t yet know their story. They may have left behind friends and supportive educators at their