FOCUS Blog

Today’s Honoree: Kathleen Hummel

Year honoree was recognized: 2009

Honoree update:
Our Little Haven (OLH) was started in 1993 by Scott and Kathleen Hummel. It is a nonprofit organization helping children ages birth to ten years old that have either been through abuse, neglect, abandonment, or early childhood trauma in the greater St. Louis area. OLH is relentlessly committed to providing a safe, secure, and healing environment for children suffering from the tragedy of abuse and neglect.

As the therapeutic director at OLH, Kathleen Hummel has initiated many early-intervention programs including case management, therapeutic preschool, assessment and treatment plans, outpatient therapy, parenting skills, and residential services. Kathleen has taught the St. Louis community that abuse can destroy a young life, with results that reach far beyond childhood. She has shown that societal concerns, such as drug and spousal abuse, can manifest in adults and teens long after the childhood abuse and neglect has ended – and that this cycle must be stopped.

Since receiving the WRWR award in 2009, OLH had a feature article in People Magazine about four OLH Alums, sharing the story of four children’s journey from "throw-away" children to dynamic, smart, funny, young people ready to make a wonderful impact on our society. It's also a story of "Look at what we all did together!" as a community working together through early intervention. OLH was also blessed to receive a major gift from the Taylor Family towards our sustainability fund, The Courage Fund. OLH also attained accreditation through COA (the Council on Accreditation – their industry accreditation body) which is quite a milestone. When OLH opened in 1993, they were able to serve about 30 kids a year. In 2011, through community support, OLH was able to care for 650 kids and families.