OUR
STORY
Not many would argue that it’s a tough world in which most young people grow up these days, and circumstances such as poverty, racism, substance abuse, absent parents or other family struggles make it significantly tougher for those experiencing any of
these or other complicating factors. Can you imagine being completely on your own at 18 and expected to independently navigate into adulthood without the support of a family or parents? Many under-resourced young folks finish high school with high hopes of success, but without the know-how or support to achieve those goals.
Founders Bob and Chrissy Stergos have four sons by birth. In 2001, an opportunity presented itself to them. They had a chance to help a young man trying to turn his life around and in need of a new place to grow. With unanimous approval from their sons and each other, the decision was made to invite the young man into their home, sharing not only shelter and food, but also a wealth of emotional and spiritual support. ...

OUR TEAM

Staff

Bob Stergos

CO-FOUNDER, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AND MEMBER AT LARGE

Bob Stergos brings 47+ years of working with young people to A Seat at the Table, dating back to his college years of participation in the Big Brothers Big Sisters program. Post-college, Bob taught high school English, journalism, yearbook and coached at Berkeley and Hazelwood East High Schools. He’s served 25+ years as a Youth and Kids ministry volunteer. Transitioning to a business career in 1983 at Maritz, Bob designed and sold employee engagement, incentive, research and business meeting travel services in St. Louis and Cincinnati.  

For varying timeframes from 2000 thru 2018, Bob and Chrissy invited 5 young “at-risk” young men to live with their 4 sons by-birth. Thus, they’ve had extensive first-hand experience at welcoming, resourcing and championing at-risk and under-resourced young people into their home and family before they founded A Seat at the Table in 2018. In the first few years of A Seat at the Table, Bob also served in a part-time position as the St. Louis Regional Manager for CarePortal, a subsidiary of The Global Orphan Project in Kansas City. CarePortal’s online platform routes the needs of local foster families and children to area churches.

Bob participates actively in many civic and church organizations, such as The St. Louis Reconciliation Network, Gateway 2 Flourishing, Send Me St. Louis, The Carver Project, Corporate Faith, The Crossing and One Family Church bible studies, Biblical Business Training (BBT) and regularly attends Venture Café sessions in The Cortex.

Governing Board

GINA BIRKEMEIER

BOArd president

Gina Birkemeier, MAC, LPC is a Licensed Professional Counselor in the greater St. Louis area. Author of the recent best-seller Generations Deep, Gina’s personal life story parallels those of our A Seat at the Table participants.  She has worked in the development and design of programs helping the under-resourced for nearly two decades. She is versed in training for individuals in need of resourcing as well as equipping those who assist under-resourced and at-risk individuals and families.

Gina has provided leadership development and coaching for the staff of organizations working with families in crisis, women exiting the criminal justice system, survivors of sexual exploitation, homeless populations and churches. She is educated in and works from a holistic approach when it comes to developing educational opportunities to help people grow and heal, recognizing the importance of addressing the emotional, mental, physical and spiritual aspects of an individual.

Kate Sickles

Treasurer

Kate Sickles is an experienced and compassionate mentor leader with a history of driving organizational growth through strategic planning and marketing, expanding fundraising participation and revenue, as well as developing operational and financial administrative procedures. Kate’s provided guidance and support to youth, young adults and families, and mentored survivors of sex-trafficking. She and her husband Jack, have spent 20+ years coaching, mentoring and encouraging teens and young adults, including four of their own.

Kate is passionate about inspiring teens and young adults to realize their God-given gifts and talents, reach beyond themselves to make a difference in the lives of every person they encounter, and develop mentoring and leadership skills used to encourage those younger who are following in their steps. She is excited to be part of an organization that believes in the unlimited potential of young adults and their ability to make a positive impact in the world.

CHRISSY STERGOS

Co-Founder and Secretary

Chrissy has a broad array of experiences which have uniquely equipped her to shepherd young people in difficult situations. She earned a Master's of Arts in Counseling from Covenant Seminary and has 20+ years of experience working with a wide variety of individuals, first as a pastor at a local church and currently as a Licensed Professional Counselor with Chesterfield Counseling Associates. Chrissy Stergos is also the co-founder of A Seat at the Table.

Chrissy has worked with under-resourced youth, teens in crisis and survivors of human trafficking (adults and minors). Her counseling practice currently consists of individuals, couples, and families in a wide variety of circumstances and stages of life.  Her life-long affinity toward counseling and her years of experience have given shape to a broad foundation of understanding and knowledge. She teaches regularly, writes occasionally and mentors always.

Married 43 years, Chrissy and Bob have four biological sons and have fostered numerous other young men who’ve become family. She is astonished and grateful that God has invited her into this bigger story of His.

Chrissy is available for speaking engagements, consulting and conversation. To schedule, contact her at christine.stergos@gmail.com.

Pastor David Hawkins

Member at Large

Pastor David T. Hawkins, an original founding member of A Seat at the Table board in 2018, rejoins here in September of 2022.  Born the youngest of eleven sons and one daughter, David  knows more than most what it is to share one’s space…to provide others a seat at the table!  David received his undergraduate degree in Business Administration from the University of Missouri-Columbia and his Master's of Arts in Theology from Covenant Seminary.

At the age of 21, Pastor David Hawkins accepted the call of Pastor at Living The Word Church Fellowship in Collinsville, IL. In 1998, he took over as Pastor with two members and a bankrupt church. Through his dedication and Kingdom focus, he has seen God grow the ministry to worshipping with more than 800 people per weekend. David’s passion for not letting any experience, good or bad, go to waste, led him to author his Amazon #1 best-seller Dips, Disruptions and Destiny, a guild to getting yourself out of what life got you into.

His desire with A Seat at the Table is to help those from his and other Youth groups transition to adulthood in a healthy, safe, nurturing family environment.

Carla Hayes

Member At Large

Carla Hayes Hill is a versatile leader with experience in strategic partnerships, program/event management, media production and client relations. She is excited to share her expertise with A Seat at the Table, knowing first-hand the positive impact that this model of parental presence and community support has on the success of one’s life.

Currently, Carla is the Membership Director for the DeKalb Chamber of Commerce in Decatur, Georgia. Previously, she served as Area Executive for Girl Scouts of Greater Atlanta, Partnership Specialist for the US Census Bureau in Missouri and two terms with Explore St. Louis, lastly as Director of Partnership.  Carla also served at FOCUS St. Louis as Director, Diversity Leadership Fellowship and at St. Louis Healthy Families as Executive Grant Assistant and Office Manager.

Carla holds a Bachelor's of Science in Mass Communications from Middle Tennessee State University and a Master's of Arts in Digital and Multimedia studies from Lindenwood University. She formerly served as Board Treasurer for Aspenstand and as a grief support facilitator for Annie’s Hope. Additionally, she is an alum of the St. Louis Business Diversity Initiative and Our Community Listens.

KEVIN TOKEN

Member at large

Kevin Token is a Principal at  BSA LifeStructures , a nationally recognized architecture and engineering firm specializing in healing, learning and discovery.  
With over 30 years of experience as a systems engineer, Kevin has managed design projects throughout the country.  His background as an engineer gives him a unique perspective that focuses on efficiency and performance to enhance each client's mission.
In 2015, Kevin was named Chairman and CEO of BSA.  The firm’s accomplishments under Kevin’s leadership include transitioning to a 100% employee-owned (ESOP) company, two successful acquisitions and 40% revenue growth.  Kevin recently stepped down as Chairman and CEO to re-focus on the St. Louis market.
Kevin embraces community stewardship, serving 10+ years as a board member and mentor in the Job and Leadership Training Program for Mission St. Louis. Kevin currently serves as an active board member and secretary of the board for the Mid-States Minority Supplier Development Council.  Kevin has also served as a school board member and coach of girls’ basketball at St. John Lutheran School and is an active member of New Beginnings Lutheran Church in Pacific, MO.
He has been married to his wife, Jody, for more than 30 years and they have two grown daughters, Megan and Jessica.

Tiffany Wild

Member at Large

Tiffany Wild, MAC, PLPC is a Provisionally Licensed Professional Counselor in St. Louis.  The mission of A Seat at the Table is perfectly aligned with Tiffany and her husband Randy’s calling to serve under-resourced young adults.  Having recently earned a Master's of Arts in Counseling from Covenant Theological Seminary, Tiffany now works for Chesterfield Counseling Associates.

Tiffany’s extensive nonprofit work includes 10+ years of Board tenure with Kidsmart, serving as Chairperson of Development and Operations during her Executive Committee term. Additional experience includes serving as a Youth Leader Volunteer at The Crossing church and well as a Point Woman Mentor at Firstlight.  

A business owner and entrepreneur at the likes of Eat Fit Go, Energy Partners in Conservation and Fortified Consulting, Tiffany brings a unique blend of business acumen and nonprofit experience to the A Seat at the Table board team.

BRIAN WOOD

Member At Large

Brian retired after a 41-year career at Airport Terminal Services in 2021 as their Chief Operating Officer.  He has a history of successfully leading operations through rapid growth both organically and through acquisitions, while maintaining consistently high levels of measurable safety and service standards.  He served on the Board of ATS and on numerous industry groups that developed and governed aviation policy and procedures.
Brian has a passion for mentoring and leading organized youth groups and has been actively involved in different church-based programs for over 20 years. He and his wife Debby have been married for 38 years and have 2 children and 4 grandchildren.

Advisory Board

FAQ

  • What is the mission of A Seat at the Table?
    The mission of A Seat at the Table is to help at-risk 18 to 25-year olds better transition into adulthood by providing parental presence and community support via a residential mentoring program.

  • What is unique about A Seat at the Table?
    First, it builds upon…and continues the great efforts by “partner” youth-focused organizations in our local community who all work with at-risk/under-resourced young people up to age 18.  Those partner organizations include the likes of LOVEtheLOU, Boys Hope Girls Hope, Urban K-Life, R3 Development and Angels’ Arms, Lift for Life Gym as well as church youth groups.

    Secondly, we’re partnering with other community resource organizations to provide educational, vocational, job & life-skill training and counseling in one of two residential parenting models for selected 18 to 25-year olds:

    1.  A duplex in which a “house mom & dad” care for up to four (4) under-parented 18 to 25-year olds who have been selected from “nominating” youth-oriented, well-vetted organizations.

    2.  An existing home in which a couple or family agrees to take in at least one qualifying under-parented 18 to 25-year old.

  • How can I contribute to the efforts of A Seat at the Table?
    There are a variety of ways you can contribute to the efforts of A Seat at the Table:
    - You can volunteer your time and talents here
    - You can donate funds and/or materials needed

  • Are my donations tax deductible?
    Yes, A Seat at the Table is a 501(c)(3) organization.  After making a donation, you will receive an acknowledgement email or letter that is can be used for a tax donation.

  • How can I apply to be a volunteer for A Seat at the Table?
    You can provide some basic availability and interest-area information here.  

  • How can my spouse and I be considered as a set of house parents for A Seat at the Table?
    First, you may contact Executive Director Bob Stergos here to discuss preliminarily and secondarily, fill out a House Parents’ application here.

  • How can I apply to be a participating 18 to 25-year old in the A Seat at the Table program?
    Upon nomination from one of our participating partner youth organizations, such as Urban K-Life, Angels’ Arms, Lift for Life Gym, The Tabernacle and Living the Word Church churches, you can fill out a Program Participant application here.

  • Where can I find your Privacy Policy?
    Our privacy policy can be found here.