Today we’d like to introduce you to Brittany Milford, Scott Hummel.
Hi Brittany Milford, Scott Hummel, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
Our Little Haven began as a dream of Scott and Kathleen Hummel at the beginning of 1989. Our Little Haven was born with a specific vision: to create a community where children are cherished. That vision is the enduring promise we continue to work towards today. Since our inception, we sought to do things differently. We were provoked by what we saw to be missing in the social services sector: early intervention for children during their formative years, designed to make a lasting impact. We desired to create a community-based model in response to the needs of the young and vulnerable population in the St. Louis community.
Connecting with hundreds of social service and medical providers, it was clear that the need was great and Our Little Haven began to take shape. After turning to family and friends, a Board of Directors was formed using the extraordinary talents of close friends. Shortly after, in 1993 we opened our doors with a capacity of 24 children, Our Little Haven expanded quickly to support 40 children. As our organization grew in learning how best to serve the children, families, and community, proven community-based programs and facilities were added to increase impact and growth.
What began as a residential program for children – has evolved and is now a full scale, premier early intervention children and family services agency. Over time we have expanded our services to create a comprehensive model, providing three unique yet complimentary programs: Keystone Mental Health Services, Our Little Academy Day Treatment, and Community Family Services at the Taylor Family Care Center.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Like any organization that has endured for more than three decades, our journey has had both challenges and incredible moments of growth. What has remained constant is our commitment to evolving to meet the ever-changing needs of our community.
Each of our programs was created organically, born from a gap we saw and a need that wasn’t being met. When we recognized that young children were being expelled from multiple preschools due to behavioral challenges, we built Our Little Academy Day Treatment to give them a place to heal and prepare for kindergarten success. When families needed accessible, high-quality therapy, we grew Keystone Mental Health Services into an outpatient practice specializing in early intervention. And when the child welfare system showed gaps in medical coordination and permanency planning, we launched Community Family Services to fill those needs.
Our Little Haven is small enough to be nimble, and that flexibility has been our strength. We’ve adapted through changing funding landscapes, increasing demand for mental health care, and the evolving complexities faced by families today. Each challenge has made us stronger and more innovative.
While it hasn’t always been a smooth road, every obstacle has refined our mission and reaffirmed our belief that early intervention changes lives. Through it all, our staff, supporters, and community partners have kept us moving forward, one child and family at a time.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Our Little Haven ?
Our Little Haven is a St. Louis-based nonprofit relentlessly committed to providing early intervention services for children and families. We serve those impacted by abuse, neglect, and mental or behavioral health needs, creating a safe, secure, and healing environment where we make the hurting stop, the healing begin, and the love last, one child and family at a time.
What sets us apart is our comprehensive, community-based model of care. We don’t just provide one service, we walk alongside children and families through every stage of their healing journey. Our three core programs work hand-in-hand to address the whole child and family:
* Keystone Mental Health Services – Outpatient therapy, psychiatry, and psychological evaluations for children and families.
* Our Little Academy Day Treatment – A full-day, year-round therapeutic program for preschoolers unable to thrive in traditional settings due to social, emotional, or behavioral challenges.
* Community Family Services – Specialized support for children and families in foster care, including medical coordination, family connection, and permanency support.
For more than 30 years, we’ve remained intentionally small and deeply connected- nimble enough to evolve as our community’s needs change, yet large enough to create lasting impact. We are known for our expertise in the very young child, our high therapist-to-child ratios, our commitment to families regardless of ability to pay, and our compassionate, family-centered approach.
Brand-wise, we’re most proud of the trust our name represents in the St. Louis community – Our Little Haven has become synonymous with hope, healing, and heart. We want readers to know that when they support Our Little Haven, they’re not just giving to a charity, they’re helping children and families rewrite their stories and begin a new chapter filled with safety, stability, and love.
What was your favorite childhood memory?
Some of my favorite childhood memories are the simple moments of being surrounded by people who made me feel safe and loved, long summer evenings playing outside, family dinners filled with laughter, and the comfort of knowing there was always someone looking out for me.
Those small moments of security and belonging are what shape who we become, and they’re exactly what we strive to recreate at Our Little Haven for children and families who haven’t always had that same foundation. Every child deserves to grow up feeling cherished and supported, and it’s an incredible privilege to help make that possible for others.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.ourlittlehaven.org/
- Instagram: @ourlittlehaven
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OurLittleHaven/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/our-little-haven
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cf0rMOkkyD8
