In November, the celebrations of Parents as Teachers Day swept across the network, lifting up the life-changing work of home visiting and the people behind the partnerships that move mountains.

One of those mountain movers, late Senator Christopher “Kit” Bond, dedicated his life to advancing the field of home visiting, using his substantial platform to elevate the importance of support for early childhood development and intervention.

As governor of Missouri, he successfully advocated for the legislation that established Parents as Teachers in every school district in Missouri. As US Senator, he authored the precursor to the Maternal and Infant Early Childhood Home Visiting Program (MIECHV), a major source of funding for Parents as Teachers programs around the United States.

In a lasting tribute to Senator Bond, a new, trauma-informed community hub designed to serve the children and families for whom Bond advocated was dedicated in his name on November 7, 2025.

The Christopher “Kit” Bond Show Me Strong Families Center stands as a central home for the Parents as Teachers National Center’s Blue Ribbon affiliate in St. Louis, Missouri. With space for one-on-one visits, health and development screenings, and group connections, as well as a room stocked with basic necessities available without cost, the center is designed to feel like a home for the 350 families served by the program.

“This dedication honors Senator Christopher ‘Kit’ Bond’s vision and renews our own: a St. Louis where every child grows up healthy, safe, and learning,” said Constance Gully, President and CEO of Parents as Teachers National Center. “The Bond Center is a permanent, welcoming home for families that reflects the dignity and strength of our community and expands our ability to meet families early, consistently, and with the culturally responsive support they deserve.”

Click here to take a video “tour” of the Show Me Strong Families Christopher “Kit” Bond Center.

In November, the celebrations of Parents as Teachers Day swept across the network, lifting up the life-changing work of home visiting and the people behind the partnerships that move mountains.

One of those mountain movers, late Senator Christopher “Kit” Bond, dedicated his life to advancing the field of home visiting, using his substantial platform to elevate the importance of support for early childhood development and intervention.

As governor of Missouri, he successfully advocated for the legislation that established Parents as Teachers in every school district in Missouri. As US Senator, he authored the precursor to the Maternal and Infant Early Childhood Home Visiting Program (MIECHV), a major source of funding for Parents as Teachers programs around the United States.

In a lasting tribute to Senator Bond, a new, trauma-informed community hub designed to serve the children and families for whom Bond advocated was dedicated in his name on November 7, 2025.

The Christopher “Kit” Bond Show Me Strong Families Center stands as a central home for the Parents as Teachers National Center’s Blue Ribbon affiliate in St. Louis, Missouri. With space for one-on-one visits, health and development screenings, and group connections, as well as a room stocked with basic necessities available without cost, the center is designed to feel like a home for the 350 families served by the program.

“This dedication honors Senator Christopher ‘Kit’ Bond’s vision and renews our own: a St. Louis where every child grows up healthy, safe, and learning,” said Constance Gully, President and CEO of Parents as Teachers National Center. “The Bond Center is a permanent, welcoming home for families that reflects the dignity and strength of our community and expands our ability to meet families early, consistently, and with the culturally responsive support they deserve.”