HISTORY AND MISSION STATEMENT

Little Flower Development Center opened its doors September 3, 1991.

Little Flower provides a secure and loving environment for an ethnically diverse group of children from ages eight weeks to 12 years and to their families. Little Flower presents a program that is developmentally sound as well as beneficial to the spiritual, physical, emotional, and social well-being of each child.

One important purpose of Little Flower is to create intergenerational links between the children at Little Flower and others on the SSMO Campus. Little Flower children and Valley Catholic seventh grade students meet weekly during the school year to study the works of various children's authors. Additionally, Little Flower children and the residents of Maryville Nursing Home meet often to share experiences and a variety of rich activities.

Through development of understanding between the young and old, positive attitudes are formed and lives are shared, as we support each other in the Family of God.

Little Flower is dedicated to and faithful to the teaching and healing mission of the Roman Catholic Church.

As such, its individual and corporate inspiration is Jesus and His gospel message. Its mission is to witness in the power of the Holy Spirit the abiding presence and healing mission of Jesus Christ.