Staff: Katie Stewart (She/Her)

Katie Stewart is a Family Engagement Assistant who works alongside families to strengthen emotional wellbeing, build supportive connections, and navigate resources that promote long term growth and stability. Katie’s commitment to this work runs deep, she has a genuine heart for families and a profound desire to help them feel supported, understood, and never alone in what they’re facing. She believes in showing up with compassion, listening without judgement, and creating the kind of consistent and trusting relationships that can make all the difference in a young person’s life. Katie approaches every family with warmth and openness, striving to build connections that empower them to heal, grow, and move forward with confidence.

Rooted in the belief that healing happens through connection, Katie strives to ensure that each young person feels seen, valued, and truly proud of their story. She approaches her work with warmth, empathy, and a steady confidence in the strengths and potential of every family she serves.

Katie has developed and facilitated a wide range of youth and family centered programs, including psychoeducational groups, skill building workshops, and family support groups. She has created curriculum focused on healthy communication, coping strategies, and navigating complex family dynamics. Her groups emphasize emotional regulation, building trust, strengthening relationships, and equipping youth with practical tools for sustainable recovery.

Before joining Friends of the Children, Katie spent time working at The Painted Turtle, assisting in therapeutic equine-based interventions for at risk youth in the foster care system. She supported therapists with activity planning, safety monitoring, emotional regulation exercises, and tracking behavioral goals, helping young people build trust, confidence, and healthy self-expression in a nurturing environment.

Katie is certified in Mental Health First Aid and QPR Gatekeeper Training for suicide prevention. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Applied Psychology from University of Phoenix.

At the heart of her work is a simple, powerful belief: when families feel seen, supported, and connected, they discover the courage not only to heal but to rise, rebuild, and thrive together.