Our History

Riverbend Family Ministries

2007

Sept. – Riverbend  Family Ministries (RFM) opened its doors August 2007 and watched the building take shape as we were blessed to begin serving families in the Riverbend Community.

2008

RYOF group
Students stand outside Midtown Theater after Ken Freeman rally.

March – RFM opened its door to the community.

June Our first official newsletter went out.

September RFM sponsored Tunes on the Tarmac. Our organization took over St Louis Regional Bethalto Airport and filled a large hanger with over 2000 youth and families. We had two stages, inflatables, service organizations, and games. We concluded the evening with a great worship experience with Rush of Fools, Big Daddy Weave, and Jason Gray.

December Six families were helped for Christmas and thirty financial partners reported at end of 2008.

2009

February The 1st Annual Trivia night was held.

March RFM Partnered with Lewis and Clark Community College as training site for Project Read.

August College Age Bible Study was offered at RFM on Wednesday nights.

riverjam logoSeptember RFM sponsored Riverjam 2009. The largest event of the summer happened at the brand new Alton Riverfront Amphitheater, with 1,500 youth and families gathering to be blessed by Vota, Superchick, and Barlowgirl.

October  RFM partnered with RAVEN. RAVEN_Riverbend Youth Press Release

December  RFM and area businesses adopted six families for Christmas.

2010

January  Client Service Department (CSD) was established.

February The 2nd Annual Trivia night was held.

April  Safe From the Start moved into office space.

April  RFM becomes certified to be part of the Madison County Sheriff’s Department’s C.A.R.T.  (Child Abduction Response Team).cart

December  RFM and area businesses adopted nine families for Christmas.

2011

February  RFM held its 3rd Annual Trivia night.

July  RFM became an official partner member of United Way.

September  RFM became the official training site for all Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) volunteers of Madison County.

Decembe First group of CASA volunteers were sworn in as Officers of the Court.

December – RFM and area businesses adopted 12 families to bless at Christmas.

2012

January  RFM became official governance of Ameren’s Warm Neighbor Cool Friends program in Madison County.

February  “Trivia with a Twist” was introduced at the 4th Annual Trivia night.

March  RFM offers 40-hour domestic violence training.

April  The first Madison County CASA Superhero Race was held. photo5

August  RFM was awarded the Cy Pres Award by SLChapman. (Press release)

December – RFM and area businesses adopted 13 families for Christmas.

2013

February  Child therapy rooms were added and an observation window installed to allow better therapy and observation of practicum students, parents, and therapists without disrupting sessions.

February – The 5th Annual Trivia with a Twist was held.

April – The 2nd CASA Superhero 5k race/fun run.

May – RFM launched its Social Media Campaign.

December  RFM and area businesses adopt 17 families to share Christmas with this year.

2014

February  The 6th Annual Trivia with a Twist was held.

April  RFM sponsored the 3rd Annual Kid’s Health, Safety, & Activity Fair.

November  Refuge was launched.

December  RFM and area businesses adopt over 100 families for Christmas this year.

2015

 January  Refuge officially began seeing clients (read the press release).

February  The 7th Annual Trivia with a Twist was held.

April  RFM sponsored 4th Annual Kid’s Health, Safety, & Activity Fair.