BFT’s latest news and stories

At Bringing Families Together, we know parenting can be both rewarding and challenging. That’s why we are excited to announce something new for our community: in-person Parent Cafés . For years, our virtual Parent Cafés have provided a welcoming space for parents and caregivers to connect, reflect and support one another. Now, we are expanding this opportunity by offering in-person gatherings at our office , creating another way for parents to build community and strengthen t

Some stories are worth the wait to share. Back in December, two siblings who had spent 1,050 days in foster care officially became brother and sister in a forever family. And while the adoption day itself has already passed, we’re excited to finally publicly celebrate this beautiful moment. For nearly three years, these two children navigated the uncertainty that can come with foster care. Through it all, they had each other. Their bond as siblings remained strong as they wai

TLSS Specialist | Transitional Living Team At Bringing Families Together, Employee of the Month is always special — because it’s chosen by peers. And this month, our team recognized someone who has already made a powerful impact in a short amount of time. We’re proud to celebrate Kyle Dunn  as our February Employee of the Month ! 💜 Kyle joined BFT in June 2025 as a TLSS Specialist  on our Transitional Living Team , working directly with teens and young adults preparing to ag

At Bringing Families Together, we know parenting is both rewarding and challenging—and no one should have to navigate it alone. That’s why we’re excited to announce our 2026 Winter–Spring Parent Cafés , a series of FREE virtual workshops created to support and uplift parents and caregivers. Our Parent Cafés provide a welcoming, judgment-free space where you can connect with others, share experiences, and gain practical tools for everyday parenting. Each Café is rooted in the

Have you ever wondered what it takes to become a foster or adoptive parent? Curious—but not sure where to begin? Bringing Families Together (BFT) is here to help guide you every step of the way. We are excited to continue offering our Foster Care & Adoption Information Sessions  designed to help individuals and families explore this journey in a welcoming, supportive and no-pressure environment. ✨ Whether you’re just starting to consider fostering or adoption or are ready to

Family Development Specialist | Resource Team At Bringing Families Together, our Employee of the Month isn’t just about hitting goals — it’s about being present, stepping in wherever needed,  and making an impact that ripples across programs and into the lives of children and families. That’s exactly why we’re proud to honor Chad Baker  as our January Employee of the Month ! 💜 Chad has been part of the BFT family since October 2012 , bringing depth, dedication and heart to h

Resource Development Supervisor | Resource Team As the year comes to a close, we’re honored to recognize someone whose steady presence and problem-solving skills make a real difference every day — Carol Pine , our December Employee of the Month . 💜 Carol joined Bringing Families Together  in November 2020  and serves as our Resource Development Supervisor  on the Resource Team , where she supports children and families, and also works with private adoption . She holds a B.S.

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 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

We’re thrilled to introduce Kelly Selby , who joined our Parenting+Plus Program  in July 2025 as a Family Support Specialist ! Kelly brings with her a wealth of experience supporting parents and children with disabilities, trauma and mental health needs—including work with families involved in foster care. For the last eight years before joining BFT, she has dedicated her career to helping families strengthen relationships, build resilience, and find hope through education an

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

Community Services Coordinator | Parenting+Plus Team This month, we’re proud to celebrate someone whose work has shaped Bringing Families Together for nearly two decades — Karen Johnson , our Community Services Coordinator and Internship Coordinator . Karen joined BFT in September 2007 , and for 18 years , she has been a cornerstone of our mission to strengthen families and support lasting reunification. She leads with both heart and expertise, combining her background in edu

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

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

Not everyone can lead with both heart and strength—but Regine Brown  does just that. Regine began her journey with Bringing Families Together  in January 2023  as a Family Service Worker . It didn’t take long for her strengths to shine. With a sharp mind, a grounded presence, and a passion for serving others, she quickly stepped into leadership—first as a Lead Family Service Worker , and currently as our Foster Care Case Management Supervisor . Through every role, Regine has