The $240,000 Grant Will Help Serve Families Across St. Louis City and County
Following a community celebration on Friday, Parents as Teachers National Center announced a major multi-year, $240,000 grant from the Berges Family Foundation to support the Show Me Strong Families Christopher “Kit” Bond Center.
The grant anchors Parents as Teachers National Center’s Building Stronger Families Campaign, a multi-year initiative to expand trauma-informed early childhood and family support across the region. The new facility, located at 1905 S. Grand Blvd., provides a permanent home for Show Me Strong Families, the only full-fidelity Parents as Teachers affiliate in St. Louis City and St. Louis County.
The dedication ceremony honored the late Senator Christopher “Kit” Bond, whose leadership transformed Parents as Teachers from a Missouri innovation into a global model now serving more than 188,000 families annually. Local and national early childhood advocates, community leaders, and families attended the November 7 event, which featured remarks from Parents as Teachers National Center President and CEO Constance Gully.
“This gift from the Berges Family Foundation will allow Show Me Strong Families to have a permanent, welcoming home that reflects the dignity, strength, and hope of St. Louis families,” said Constance Gully, President and CEO of Parents as Teachers National Center. “Early childhood is where lifelong opportunity begins, and the investment ensures that families have a space designed with their needs in mind.”
The new center enhances Parents as Teachers’ ability to reach families earlier and more effectively. Show Me Strong Families currently serves more than 350 families annually, 88 percent of whom face multiple life stressors such as housing instability, unemployment, or limited access to trauma-informed care.
The space also features Mildred’s Closet, a resource room for diapers, food, and clothing, as well as a family kitchen, space for group family gatherings, and toy lending library.
Programs offered at the center include:
- Prenatal and maternal health services such as doula care, infant massage, and breastfeeding support
- Parenting education and group connections
- Developmental screenings
- Referrals to community resources for housing, health, and early intervention
“This investment reflects our belief that every child deserves the opportunity to grow up in a safe, stable, and nurturing environment,” said Kelly Lamb Pollock, Chief Executive Officer of the Berges Family Foundation.
The dedication event preceded Parents as Teachers Day on November 8 — a global celebration honoring families, home visitors, and early childhood champions.
About Parents as Teachers
Parents as Teachers builds strong communities, thriving families and children who are healthy, safe, and learning. We match parents and caregivers with trained professionals who make regular personal home visits during a child’s earliest years in life, from pregnancy through kindergarten. The internationally recognized evidence-based home visiting model is backed by over 40 years of research-proven outcomes for children and families. Parents as Teachers currently serves over 188,000 families annually in all 50 U.S. states, 138 Tribal organizations, and six other countries. Parents as Teachers National Center, Inc. is located in St. Louis, MO.