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
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.
September – 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).
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.
December – 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.
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.
2016
October – Blake Snyder a former board member and Police officer was killed while on
duty. He was such a vital part of our ministry during the formative years. He will be
missed.
2017
April – We were honored to receive the Madison County’s Model Leadership Through
Service Award at the M.I.C. Summit.
June – RFM welcomed Ellie Mae Therapy Dog to the building.
August – “Our space and programs may have changed over the past ten years, but
one thing will never change, and that’s our dedication to giving our families a path of
sustainability,” Tammy Iskarous.
2018
January – We have some exciting news! We’re collaborating with Amare’, NFP, a local
non-profit helping those in active drug recovery and suffering with addiction.
April – We’re so proud of our Executive Director, Tammy Iskarous for being honored by
Women of Achievement of St. Louis for her amazing volunteer work in this community!
May – We’re so proud of all the work Hearts in Faith, NFP is doing in our community!
2019
July – RFM becomes home base for community helping National Guard
August – Amare’ has its first Rockin’ for Recovery event.
November – 3rd Annual Celebration Banquet met its goal of $50,000
2020
March – Although COVID shut down the building we were still able to serve clients.
November – We conducted our first Virtual Banquet and exceeded our Operational
goal of $50,000 and our Capital goal of $300,000!
2021
May – We began construction at 144 E. Ferguson.
November – RFM Offices offically move in to the lower level of 144 E. Ferguson
2022
July – Survived Flooding of lower level in new facility
December – Target for completion of upper level
Riverbend Family Ministries 