Children Who Face Unimaginable Odds Find Help at Marygrove (and You Can Help Too)

Each year, more than 900 young people suffering from the emotional and psychological damage of abuse, neglect and other traumas find an open door and a helping hand at Marygrove, the second largest residential treatment facility in Missouri. 

For many of these children, Marygrove is the last stop in a series of foster homes, residential facilities and hospitals, but one that offers a stable environment in a time of fear and confusion.

April is just one of these children whose future looks brighter because of Marygrove. At age 14, April was referred to the facility after a disruption with her current foster placement. The teen struggled to deal with her anger which affected her relationships with others and with herself.

“Despite her anger management issues, April was a very intelligent girl with many strengths,” said Courtney Noto, marketing manager at Marygrove, via email. “After working closely with Marygrove’s trained staff and therapists, April began showing progress in successfully managing herself in different environments and situations. Over time, she began making decisions for herself.”

While at Marygrove, April worked part-time in the recreation department, and after six months, was able to return to a stable home with her aunt. Today, her future is positive and she is growing into a strong and confident young woman.

This December, you can help the children of Marygrove through a variety of special events and fundraisers that support Marygrove’s diverse programs and services.

More than 160 years of helping children in St. Louis

When it was founded in 1849, the organization provided services to troubled and runaway girls. Over the following century, Marygrove evolved to provide a variety of comprehensive services to children of both genders and of all ages who are diagnosed with behavioral and psychiatric disorders because of abuse and neglect. Children may come from violent family situations, have lived in multiple residential facilities or foster homes, or have been discharged directly from psychiatric hospitals.

Remarked Noto, “Marygrove’s goal is to empower residents with life skills that will allow them to move to a less restrictive environment whether that be with their families or, in the case of older children, to live independently. Ultimately, Marygrove seeks to give young people the tools they need to achieve personal success. Families are also supported through programs such as parenting education and family counseling.”

Through Marygrove’s therapeutic residential treatment program, kids between the ages of six and 18 live in six on-campus “cottages” that provide a family-life setting. The children receive individualized treatment, recreational and art therapy, mentoring, and other services to help them develop self-control, cooperation and responsibility. In addition, Marygrove offers therapeutic foster homes, overnight emergency program and a kids care crisis nursery.

For teens and young adults, transitional and independent living programs allow the residents to receive the help needed to strengthen their personal development, relationship skills and decision making abilities while attending school or working off-site.

Noto explained, “Sequoia Apartment Services promotes independent living through a supervised, scattered-site apartment program that allows young adult men and women to continue receiving financial, medical and emotional support while learning how to leverage community resources and develop responsible parenting and other life skills.”

Now through December 5, Marygrove will make dreams come true for 200 children through its Christmas Angels program. You can make any financial donation to help the organization purchase gifts for residents - $150 will cover a child’s entire wish list while $2,500 covers the wishes of all children in Marygrove’s residential treatment cottages. If you do your own holiday shopping online through Marygrove.ShopThruTheHeart.net, a portion of your purchase will help the organization as well.

In addition, Marygrove is offering holiday greeting cards designed by residents themselves – a set of 12 is $14 and can be purchased through the organization.

Finally, BlackFinn restaurant at the Saint Louis Galleria has chosen Marygrove as its Charity of the Month for December. When you bring in a flyer from Marygrove and dine out at BlackFinn, 10 percent of your check will go to helping children in need. For more information on any of these fundraisers, contact the organization at 314-830-6201.

This December, you can make a difference for children facing unimaginable odds and help them lead healthy and happy lives.

_{Photos: iStock, Marygrove}