“We are addressing the unmet health and wellness needs of hundreds of families with young children in rural Missouri,” says Sister Anne Francioni, SSND, executive director of Whole Kids Outreach (WKO), a non-profit organization based in Ellington, Missouri. 

Prior to the inception of WKO, Sister Anne began working with the School Sisters of Notre Dame in Whole Health Outreach while she was in the Novitiate.  Whole Health Outreach assists families in crisis and victims of domestic violence.  When the need developed for a separate program to support expectant and parenting families, Sister Anne founded WKO in 1999.  “When Whole Kids started out, we didn’t even have furniture.  Yet, every time we needed something, it seemed to show up.  That’s when we figured out it was a God thing,” she says. 

The WKO staff works to prevent abuse, neglect and poor health for mothers and their children in six rural Missouri counties: Butler, Carter, Iron, Reynolds, Shannon and Wayne.  “Our staff engages in this vital mission in an effort to improve the quality of life for future generations,” Sister Anne says.  Encompassing 3,600 square miles, these counties are characterized by high rates of poverty and unemployment, educational deficiencies and a shortage of health care providers.  Many of the families lack transportation or phones. 

Outreach specialists and visiting nurses empower these women by bringing services to their homes; they teach them basic parenting skills and give them access to health care resources.  They create circles of support through the following programs:

1. Resource Mothers – Trained childbirth educators conduct home visits to expectant and new mothers to educate them and promote access to prenatal care

2. Family Enhancement – Focuses on the needs of children who have experienced domestic violence, abuse/neglect, or developmental delays.

3. Maternal-Child Visiting Nurse – Provides a visiting Registered Nurse (RN) to access and promote health-related needs of pregnant and parenting mothers

4. Center-Based – The WKO Center offers various programs to promote emotional and physical health.  Families, children and other community members participate in support groups and recreational activities such as summer Day Camp and the Circle Kids Riding Club.

 “I am aware now more than ever why our programs are so healing for the families we serve," Sister Anne says.  “WKO provides a channel for God’s love that is wide and generous in its ability to seek out those who are in urgent need.  We help families not only to meet the basic necessities of daily living, but also fulfill their need for a spiritual connection."

Now in its seventh year, Whole Kids is currently in the second year of a three-year Capital Campaign, which will allow them to enhance their Center-Based Activities. For more information, please visit the WKO web site, www.wholekidsoutreach.org.

Reprinted courtesy of Currents newsletter
School Sisters of Notre Dame, St. Louis Province

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