Our Little Haven

We’re excited to announce that Our Little Haven’s Director of Clinical Programs, Lizette Smith, PhD, Licensed Psychologist, has been elected to the Board of Directors of the Missouri Psychological Association (MOPA). MOPA is a professional organization that works “diligently to advance the field of Psychology in Missouri, both as a science and an occupation, striving to provide Missouri Psychologists with the tools, resources and policies to provide the greatest benefit to those they serve.”

Dr. Lizette has been licensed to practice Psychology in the state of Missouri for more than 30 years. Her 2-year tenure on the Board began this June 2024. In addition to her role as Director of Clinical Programs at Our Little Haven, she also serves as Program Manager for Keystone Mental Health Services, HIPAA Privacy Officer, and coordinator of accreditation requirements. We’re so grateful for her service to the community and the important role she plays at Our Little Haven. Congratulations, Dr. Lizette!

We’re extending “Holiday in July” throughout the rest of this summer season! Are you part of a school, team, church, league, family, company or organization that wants to get involved?

An awesome group of 7th graders is collecting gift cards for a school project to support OLH children and families. We invite you to help us with generous gift card donations in support of our mission and those we serve!

Sign up today to by visiting www.ourlittlehaven.org/holiday-in-july/

We have a great need for gift cards for our programs and the children and families we serve!

Gift cards are a wonderful way to provide immediate and tangible support. We offer gift cards to our client families to help in many different ways. By doing this, our staff gives the families we serve the opportunity to purchase the items they need the most, whether it’s groceries, clothing, personal care items, gas for transportation, the list goes on. This allows us to better meet each family’s specific needs rather than providing a one-size-fits-all solution.

We are inviting our community to generously donate gift cards through our Holiday in July summer giving campaign!

Here are our most requested gift cards:
* Groceries (Schnucks, Dierbergs, ALDI)
* Walmart
* Target
* Amazon
* Gas Cards (QT, Shell, BP, Phillips)
* Wholesale Clubs (Sam’s, Costco)
* Clothing stores (Kohls, Old Navy, Marshalls, TJ Maxx)
* Lowes/Home Depot
* Uber/Lyft (for families without transportation)

*Please donate individual gift cards valued at $50 or less for easier distribution.

You are welcome to mail gift cards in an envelope addressed to:
Our Little Haven
PO Box 23010
St. Louis, MO 63156-3010

Or contact Brittany at [email protected] to coordinate a gift card drive with your group or company, and organize drop off at Our Little Haven.

We’re so thankful for your care and consideration for those we serve!

At Our Little Haven, our history and story is one of community spirit and collective effort. Founded by passionate St. Louisans, we’ve grown with the unwavering support of local hearts and hands. Our mission remains rooted in fostering a strong, caring STL community, where together, we make a lasting impact. Our Little Haven stands as a beacon of hope and support.

Our dedicated team of professional caregivers is committed to providing early intervention services for children and families, and we are grateful for the ongoing support and commitment from our community. We believe in the power of unity and the bright future we’re building together.

We love having our supporters over the years come visit us! Sister Rosie and Maleen Corrigan have been a part of the Haven Family since the very beginning.

In 1998, Sister Rosie created the “Therapeutic Garden” here at Our Little Haven. What began as a simple planting project has blossomed into a vital tool for our children. This garden was created to nurture young minds through horticulture, teaching valuable life skills, and creating joyful, lasting memories.

Maleen Corrigan has been a part of the OLH volunteer group since 1995. Her commitment has made a profound impact, and we are deeply grateful for her and the whole Corrigan family’s unwavering support and commitment throughout the years.

Our Little Haven is truly honored to have many, many people in our community support and believe in us, making a significant difference in the lives of those we serve. OLH is proud to be STLMADE!

We've kicked off our Holiday in July donation campaign to help support all 3 of our programs, Our Little Academy Day Treatment, Keystone Mental Health Services, and Community Family Services at the Taylor Family Care Center.

We're so thankful for your support for Our Little Haven's mission, our wonderful staff, and the children and families we serve! As we celebrate this special month, we're also celebrating our incredible program staff.

This week, we're shining the spotlight on our Licensed Therapists at Our Little Academy Day Treatment!

These amazing individuals are highly specialized mental health professionals, who care for 3-5 year old children with social, emotional, and behavioral challenges. They help them navigate through individual treatment plans.

Our program is designed to help kids who have difficulty being successful in traditional preschools and daycares. We work to equip them with the skills they need for a successful transition to kindergarten, collaborating closely with caregivers and schools.

As a follow up to the information we shared about Our Little Academy Day Treatment's services, methods, and goals - here are quotes from our Day Treatment Team at OLA in response to the Question: "Why are you passionate about what you do?"

We are so thankful for our incredible staff's dedication. Join us in celebrating the committed individuals who make a difference every day!

Help us celebrate Holiday in July by donating gift cards, program wish list items or financial gifts to support Our Little Haven's mission this summer season for the children and families we serve.

This summer, we have immense need for gift cards for our programs and the children and families we serve! We invite you to help us with generous gift card donations.

We are also seeking support through generous donations of items on our Keystone Mental Health Services, Community Family Services, and Our Little Academy Day Treatment program Wish Lists.

Find out more and sign-up today on our Holiday in July webpage at https://www.ourlittlehaven.org/holiday-in-july/

We’re so grateful for your support!

Students from St. Gabriel the Archangel visited Our Little Haven as part of a summer service project they are completing to receive the "Mary, the First Disciple" award. As part of their project, they will be volunteering time with Our Little Haven completing some cleaning projects as well as engaging their parish to donate gift cards to support the families we serve.

The "Mary, the First Disciple" award is a year-long program offered through the Office of Youth Ministry at the St. Louis Archdiocese. It is meant to provide participants a deeper understanding of Mary as a model of openness and spirituality and assist in developing new insights into the world around them.

We are so grateful for their incredible support. We loved the opportunity to spend time with their students and share our mission. Our Little Haven would like to thank you for your time and efforts! St. Gabriel the Archangel Parish - St. Louis

Thank you to Joe Buttice and PFI Instore for their generous donation of 4 custom Our Little Haven ice barrels to use at our events! Presence From Innovation specializes in creating semi-permanent point-of-purchase displays made of plastic, wood, metal or wire for the convenience store, grocery, and mass merchandising channels. We’re so thankful for your support for Our Little Haven! Presence From Innovation, LLC

Summer is here, at Our Little Haven we welcome the summer season with open arms! Summer is in full bloom in our garden! Our garden is not just a place for planting flowers, but also a therapeutic tool for kids to grow, learn, and have fun. It's time for a summer kickoff filled with sun, soil, and smiles!

At Our Little Academy at Our Little Haven, our kids are planting, learning about how to nurture and care through horticulture, and creating lifelong memories. Wishing you all a safe, joyful, and fun summer season!

Our Little Haven has a wonderful relationship with Missouri Botanical Garden, and they help guide the children at Our Little Academy in therapeutic gardening twice a month. Missouri Botanical Garden we sincerely appreciate your continued support for the children we serve!

*to protect the privacy of our clients, photo of children used is a stock image.

As we begin another amazing day at Our Little Academy, we want to remind you of our goal and the importance of our early intervention services.

Our Little Academy's dedication to creating a nurturing learning environment continues. Together we help children reach their full potential and have some fun along the way!

To start the enrollment process or learn more about our services visit ourlittlehaven.org/programs/our-little-academy/

If you would like to make a gift in support of our program services. Please consider contributing today by visiting us online at ourlittlehaven.org and clicking the orange “Donate” button or using the

Continuing OLA Week, we will dive into the timeline of treatment and the objectives of our program. Understanding the different stages of treatment and setting clear goals are crucial for client success.

Through our OLA program, we prioritize the success of every child by requiring a minimum 6-month treatment commitment and regular parent meetings. Most clients benefit from 12-15 months of support. Our individualized treatment plans focus on developing essential skills for successful kindergarten placement, with seamless transitions facilitated through collaboration with caregivers and schools.

Today, we are focusing on the timeline of treatment and program goals. Our program is designed to provide comprehensive care and support. From initial assessment to tailored interventions, we aim to help children and families gain skills and improve functioning.

Visit ourlittlehaven.org/programs/our-little-academy/ to learn more.

Our Little Academy is Our Little Haven’s day treatment program for children ages 3-5. Children’s social, pre-academic, and mental health needs are addressed through structure, routine, and intensive treatment. Today we shine light on the success of our programs, commemorating the accomplishments of our outstanding services and effective strategies.

Since 2005, Our Little Academy Day Treatment has been providing exceptional mental health treatment for young children with social, emotional, and behavioral challenges. We work closely with caregivers and an expert team of professionals who specialize in early intervention services. Together we help children reach their full potential and have some fun along the way.

Our Little Academy simplifies the difficult task of taking your child to and from a variety of appointments by offering a wealth of services on-site including:

• Individual and group psychotherapy
• Social skills activities promoting emotional stability, appropriate peer interactions, healthy sleeping and eating habits, manners, coping skills, and more
• Learning centers to strengthen pre-academics and prepare children for Kindergarten success
• Psychiatric services provided by a contracted child psychiatrist
• Speech, Occupational Therapy, and Physical Therapy services (for eligible children) provided by a contracted agency
• Parent meetings to provide psychological information, behavioral strategies, and support for families and caregivers

All services are provided by compassionate, highly trained staff dedicated to each child’s wellbeing and development. All staff members hold Master’s degrees in mental health disciplines.

A heartfelt thank you to our dedicated staff for their unwavering commitment and hard work. Discover more about their incredible contributions by visiting ourlittlehaven.org/programs/our-little-academy/ to learn more.

Our Little Haven has a comprehensive early intervention model, we provide three unique yet complimentary programs - Keystone Mental Health Services, Our Little Academy Day Treatment, and Community Family Services at the Taylor Family Care Center. This week, we’ll be sharing more information about Our Little Academy Day Treatment!

Our Little Academy Day Treatment at Our Little Haven is a full day, year-round program that offers mental health treatment for children ages 3-5 who cannot participate in a traditional preschool or daycare due to social, emotional, or behavioral problems. We have a small but mighty team of experienced mental health professionals and a high therapist-to-child ratio. Our staff also provides support for parents or guardians to prepare children for a successful transition to kindergarten.

Stay tuned this week for more information about Our Little Academy’s specific services, methods, and goals, as well as details about enrollment. 

We’re thankful for our incredible Our Little Academy staff who have such a remarkable impact on the children and families we serve. Visit ourlittlehaven.org/programs/our-little-academy/ to learn more.

Meet Dr. Lizette Smith!

She is our Director of Clinical Programs at Our Little Haven, and one of our Licensed Psychologists at Keystone Mental Health Services at Our Little Haven.

Why did you decide to become a Psychologist?

“Even as a young child, I noticed there were persons struggling with mental health concerns, yet who did not seem to have an open door to appropriate care. Also, while a child, I spoke with someone I knew who had received mental health care, and who described this care as literally life-changing for her—in a good way! The discrepancy between the well-being of those who did and who did not have the benefit of what seemed like a basic human right to me, set up my calling to be a Clinical Psychologist. This became my plan while still in high school. When I arrived on campus for my undergraduate education at Washington University, I was assigned my advisor and life-long mentor, Dr. Robert L. Williams. He was a national leader and highly influential Psychologist who worked tirelessly in research and practice efforts to ensure culturally competent understanding within the field of Psychology. I am inspired to work toward change for equitable, culturally sensitive, high quality professional mental health care, and consequently, improved lives.”

-Dr. Lizette Smith, PhD

Meet Dr. Jennifer Evans!

She is one of our Licensed Psychologists at Keystone Mental Health Services at Our Little Haven.

What’s your favorite thing about being a psychologist?

“My favorite thing about being a psychologist is being able to perform a rather broad range of functions. Although there are different types of psychologists (Industrial/Organizational, Forensic, Neuropsychologists, etc.), and I chose the General Clinical concentration, I still have a rather wide range of different functions I can choose from. From implementing a wide number of modes of psychotherapy, to performing psychological evaluations and assessments, to consultation and supervision, to performing research, program administration or program design, to teaching at colleges, universities, or even high schools, and/or to having my own private practice, there are a wide range of different roles to choose from. I think that this large number of options is very appealing to many psychologists, and I do not feel as though I need to limit myself to one option or area of work.”

-Dr. Jennifer Evans, Psy.D.

Meet Dr. Christi Moore!

She is one of our Licensed Psychologists at Keystone Mental Health Services at Our Little Haven. Behind every psychologist is a story of curiosity and resilience. Dive into their journeys and be inspired by the questions that sparked their passion.

What advice do you have for students who are thinking about a career in psychology?

For rising students in this field, I often ask “What are you passionate about in this field?”.  I have realized that psychologists may shift and find new areas of passion throughout their careers, so the question may be altered to “What are you passionate about at this time in this field?”.   There are so many pathways for careers in Psychology, and I love that the ability to evolve and grow through one’s career is possible.  For some, their responses may result in careers in teaching, research, therapy, evaluation, all of the above and more.   My advice to students is – be passionate about what you choose to do in Psychology, know that all of our efforts have the well-being of others in mind, and feel comfortable in accepting the challenges of growth throughout your career.  

Written By: Dr. Christi Moore

This week, we'll be highlighting our OLH Licensed Psychologists! We're thankful for the incredible work they do in our community at Keystone Mental Health Services and Our Little Academy Day Treatment at Our Little Haven!

We are happy to honor our Intake Coordinator at Keystone Mental Health Services at Our Little Haven, Chiai Powell, as we celebrate Mental Health Awareness Month!

Chiai has been with us since 2020, starting right during the adjustments we were making due to the COVID pandemic.
She is our Intake Coordinator, which is a very critical role. She is the point of first contact for those seeking mental health services. In her telephone screenings, she helps callers determine the best fit for their needs, or provides helpful referrals to get them where they may benefit most. She has become a skilled and compassionate coordinator in this role. Since December 2022, Chiai has “held down the fort” as support staff for us, and she has been efficient and effective! In addition to Intake Coordination, she manages Keystone's office tasks and client support, runs to the door and checks-in clients, does appointment reminders and follows-up with clients, and more…always with a pleasant demeanor and a smile! We are fortunate to have Chiai on our front line!

Chiai is pictured here in the back yard area of the 3 Our Little Haven buildings located on Lindell Blvd, thank you Chiai for your service to our community!

Last week our staff wore green in honor of At Our Little Haven, we work to destigmatize mental health, raise awareness, and foster a more compassionate community.

Thank you to everyone who participated by wearing green in support of Mental Health Action Day on May 16th. We appreciate the support! Let’s continue to “Be seen in GREEN” to keep raising awareness.

Here are some ways to improve your mental health: stay positive, practice gratitude, take care of your physical health, connect with others, and develop a sense of meaning and purpose in life.

Snap a pic of yourself, your staff or friends and family and tag Our Little Haven in your fun photos wearing green!

Join us for Mental Health Awareness Month by wearing your favorite green shirt, pants or other apparel on May 16th!

We encourage you to post a photo wearing green tomorrow on your social media and be sure to tag to let your colleagues, friends and family know that you support MHA Month and ending the stigma!. We would love to share your photo to show your support!

May is Mental Health Month, dedicated to prioritizing our well-being and promoting open conversations about mental health. At Our Little Haven, we recognize the importance of mental health and its impact on our personal and professional lives.

This year’s theme, Where to Start: Mental Health in a Changing World, reminds us that dealing with life’s pressures can be overwhelming, and everyone deserves to feel supported and empowered to seek help when needed.

Throughout May, we will raise awareness, encourage self-care, and connect you with resources.

In the meantime, you can visit mhanational.org for more information.

Let’s make May a month of mental health awareness, support, and action at Our Little Haven!

May is Mental Health Month!

Our Little Haven is relentlessly committed to providing early intervention mental health services for children and families. We make the hurting stop, the healing begin, and the love last, one family at a time.

This year’s Mental Health Month theme focuses on “Where to Start, Mental Health in a Changing World.”

The world is constantly changing – for better or for worse – and it can be overwhelming to deal with everything going on around you. While society is getting more comfortable discussing mental health, it can still be hard to know “Where to Start” when it comes to taking care of your own well-being.

This May, Mental Health America resources can help you:
* LEARN how modern life affects mental health with new resources to navigate our changing world.
* ACT by building your coping toolbox so you can manage stress, difficult emotions, and challenging situations.
* ADVOCATE to improve mental health for yourself, your friends and family, and your community.

Visit mhanational.org/may for more information and resources.

As we close out Social Worker Month, we continue to show our appreciation for the dedicated Social Workers in our community.

Our Little Haven has an extraordinary group of professionals who work to help vulnerable people and communities overcome difficult challenges to enhance their well-being.

We’re grateful for our Social Worker staff who go above and beyond to provide vital services. Learn more about the role and impact of Social Workers by reading articles written by our staff at Keystone Mental Health Services at Our Little Haven in honor of Social Worker Month.

Staff Articles: https://www.ourlittlehaven.org/keystone/
Social Workers - you truly make a difference in our community!
________________________________________

To our Social Workers - First and foremost, we want to say THANK YOU for all you do, today and every day. 
 
Our Little Haven would like to bring awareness to the dedication of social workers across the nation, who impact society daily. Social workers enter the profession because they truly want to help others. They go through years of education, training, and supervision so they can do the delicate but important work of helping vulnerable people and communities overcome difficult challenges in order to enhance their well-being. 

Here at the Haven, we have a tremendous group of social workers who work across all three of our programs: Keystone Mental Health Services, Our Little Academy Day Treatment, and Community Family Services. They work relentlessly to be the change.
 
We celebrate you! Your dedication and compassion make a world of difference. Thank you for being a guiding light in our community. Your unwavering support and selfless service are truly appreciated. Thank you for making a positive impact on so many lives. Your kindness knows no bounds, and your efforts bring comfort to those in need.
 
To learn more about the role of social workers in society, visit www.socialworkers.org
 
March is Social Work Month! Happy Social Work Month Social workers! 

This past Saturday was the return of our Annual Our Little Haven Trivia Night, what an fun night! We had plenty of drinks, food and laughter. Thank you to for hosting the event presented by our very own HavenClub.

We are so grateful for our generous sponsors, donors and attendees. A special thanks to Martin Kilcoyne for sharing his talents as our event host!

Thank you for the tremendous support!
We appreciate our volunteers, HavenClub members, OLH program staff for attending and sharing our mission, and everyone who worked together to make this day happen.
We can’t thank you enough for your time and efforts in support of Our Little Haven and those we serve!

Sponsors: Gabriel Project Management, King Valve, OKS Inc

In-Kind Sponsors:

We can’t wait to see you next year!

It’s Play Therapy Week! We celebrate Colleen, Emily, and Amelia, our three Registered Play Therapists, and the incredible work they do at Our Little Haven.

Why Play Therapy?
Child play therapy is a way of being with the child that honors their unique developmental level and looks for ways of helping in the “language” of the child – play. Our licensed mental health professionals therapeutically use play to help our clients to better express themselves and resolve their problems.

Play Therapy is an important early intervention mental and behavioral health tool. As Registered Play Therapists at Keystone Mental Health Services at Our Little Haven - Colleen, Emily and Amelia create a safe relationship with clients and use the therapeutic powers of play to help them prevent or resolve difficulties, and achieve growth and development.

See the impactful graphic showcasing the “Therapeutic Powers of Play” by Dr. Charles Shaefer and Dr. Athena Drewes, watch the video from the Association for Play Therapy https://youtu.be/reJpo-GaopM?si=MhPWFjFLQd01OAXp and find more information at a4pt.org

Thank you to our Registered Play Therapists for making a difference in the lives of children and families in our community!

Thank you so much to the students and chaperones from Community School who visited Our Little Haven for their 2024 MLK Day of Service last week! Students and families from their school served at several different local nonprofit organizations that day, and we loved having the opportunity to spend the morning with one of their groups! They learned about our mission and helped make special Thank You cards for our donors and supporters ❤️ We are grateful for and their wonderful students for helping give back to their community, we had a great time with you!

We invite you to continue your support by making a gift in honor of the children and families of Our Little Haven this Holiday Season. Please consider making a gift today by visiting us online at ourlittlehaven.org and clicking the orange “Donate” button or using the

Thank you so much for your care and consideration for Our Little Haven and those we serve.

*Jordan’s parents have given Our Little Haven permission to share this quote about their experience, and family photo.

We are excited to share our Holiday Appeal Newsmagazine!

Click here to read the digital version:http://ourlittlehaven.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/2023-Holiday-Appeal-Newsmagazine_digital-version.pdf

Merry Christmas & Happy Holidays From Our Little Haven!🎄

To our wonderful clients, staff, volunteers, and supporters - we are so grateful for each and every one of you. Wishing you all a very happy Thanksgiving!