For all media inquires, please contact our Chief Development Officer, Kari Hopkins
Coyote Hill opens new Columbia family center for foster care ministry
November 13, 2025
Coyote Hill, a nonprofit foster care ministry, celebrated its opening Thursday afternoon with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. The new $2.6 million facility is located on North Tenth Street in downtown Columbia and aims to provide space for licensing and training new foster families, along with ongoing parent, coaching, advocacy and family support and hosting adoptions and other celebrations.
Coyote Hill Foster Care Ministries opens new house in Columbia for family visits
April 14, 2023
Many foster children are granted the right to visit their biological parents during the legal process. Religious nonprofit Coyote Hill Foster Care Ministries has opened a new residential location in Columbia for these visits to occur and make families feel more comfortable.
New residential space from Coyote Hill Foster Care Ministries could aid family reunifications for foster children
April 12, 2023
When children in foster care are able to spend time with their parents, it often may be in a cold office setting. For families in the Columbia area, there is a new option through religious nonprofit Coyote Hill Foster Care Ministries.
The organization officially launched its Family Connections program Tuesday, though it has been in operation since July. The purpose of the program is to aid families working toward reunification.
MORE at the Columbia Daily Tribune
The future of foster care: Moberly nonprofits team up to fill the gaps
March 13, 2023
Local nonprofits Faith Bridge, The Creator’s Studio, Coyote Hill Foster Care Ministries and now Rooted 242, are unified in their mission to support foster children in and around Moberly, including young adults who “age out” of the foster care system.
Mexico couple becomes foster parents
October 13, 2022
Tony Senor and his wife, Erin, have wanted children for years. They recently decided to take a big step to make that dream come true.
Honoring COMO’s Small Businesses
August 3, 2022
For more than 30 years, the Columbia Chamber of Commerce has aimed to acknowledge and appreciate vital contributions, economic impact, and cultural influence of small businesses in COMO.
HarbisonWalker Foundation donates to Coyote Hill Foster Care Ministries to support area foster families
August 1, 2022
Each year, the HarbisonWalker International Foundation conducts a campaign to support charities throughout the country based on employee nominations. This year, out of 20 nominations, they selected employee Christy Stuckenschneider’s essay supporting Coyote Hill Foster Care Ministries.
Not enough foster parents in Northeast Missouri
June 2, 2022
HANNIBAL, Mo. — There are not enough foster homes for children in three Northeast Missouri counties, but Coyote Hill Foster Care Ministries wants to change that.
Coyote Hill Foster Care Ministries receives more than $200K in tax credits
May 17, 2022
HARRISBURG, Mo. — Coyote Hill Foster Care Ministries, a foster care organization working to end child abuse and neglect, has been approved to receive $255,252 in tax credits through the Youth Opportunities Program.
Donations of $1,000 or more from businesses or individuals are eligible for a 50% tax credit.
KFRU’s Columbia Business One-On-One podcast visits with Coyote Hill Foster Care Ministries
May 7, 2022
On this PODCAST of KFRU Columbia Business One-On-One they talk to Kari Hopkins and Bill Atherton of Coyote Hill Foster Care Ministries, winner of the Columbia Chamber of Commerce Small Business Award.
MORE at KFRU Columbia Business One-On-One
Coyote Hill Foster Care Ministries wins Columbia Chamber of Commerce’s small business award
May 6, 2022
The Columbia Chamber of Commerce awarded Coyote Hill Foster Care Ministries, a nonprofit focused on helping children in foster care, with the 2022 Small Business of the Year Award on Thursday.
Other finalists included Bloom Bookkeeping, A2D Events, House of Brokers Realty and Liberty Family Medicine, according to a news release.
Coyote Hill Foster Care Ministries named Columbia Chamber of Commerce’s small business of the year
May 6, 2022
The Columbia Chamber of Commerce awarded Coyote Hill Foster Care Ministries, a nonprofit focused on helping children in foster care, with the 2022 Small Business of the Year Award on Thursday.
Other finalists included Bloom Bookkeeping, A2D Events, House of Brokers Realty and Liberty Family Medicine, according to a news release.
Foster care group celebrates licensing 100 foster families
May 4, 2022
NEW BLOOMFIELD — The month of May is Foster Care Awareness Month and Coyote Hill Foster Care Ministries announced they are celebrating licensing 100 foster families in mid-Missouri.
In addition to licensing families, the non-profit trains family advocates and provides a home for children at their foster care community in Harrisburg.
DED awards $6 million in tax credits to 37 organizations through the Youth Opportunities Program
May 2, 2022
Jefferson City – The Department of Economic Development (DED) announced today that it will award $6 million in 50% tax credits to 37 organizations throughout Missouri through the Youth Opportunities Program (YOP) during its 2022 cycle.
“Missouri nonprofits and other organizations play an important role in providing life-changing services to young people who need them most,” said Governor Mike Parson. “Whether assisting with shelter, nutrition, or life skills, our state’s nonprofits strengthen our communities every day. We’re proud to support their efforts through this program, which benefits countless lives across Missouri.”
MORE at Missouri Department of Economic Development
Agencies continue seeking new foster families in midst of shortage
April 15, 2022
HANNIBAL, Mo. (KHQA) — Going through the foster care can be a tough time for some children which in some instances lead to behavioral issues.
With over 13,000 children in foster care and a shortage of foster families, agencies are working hard to find quality homes for these children.
Hope for the Journey conference brings hope to fostering community
April 9, 2022
HANNIBAL — Abby Hiner is feeling more confident about welcoming a new foster child into her home thanks to the Hope for the Journey Conference held at The Crossing on Thursday.
From foster and adoptive parents to various nonprofit organizations, the conference was meant to educate and refresh those involved in the foster care system. For Hiner it hit at just the right time as she and her husband will be fostering a child later this month.
Hope for the Journey conference helps support families, foster kids
April 8, 2022
HANNIBAL, Mo. (KHQA) — Some children have it rough from the get-go, whether it be growing up in a broken home or just not feeling wanted.
Going through foster care sometimes can add to those bad experiences.
Coyote Hill Foster Care Ministries to host foster care training in JC
April 8, 2022
JEFFERSON CITY — More than 14,000 children in Missouri are in the foster care system. However, there are only 5,000 foster parents available in the state. Coyote Hill Foster Care Ministries Foster Care Services is encouraging more potential foster parents to offer homes for children.
Pinwheel garden reflects team approach to preventing child abuse
April 2, 2022
HANNIBAL — Dozens of pinwheels spinning in the breeze along Grand Avenue served as a powerful symbol of the efforts to prevent child abuse.
EVENT BENEFITS FOR FOSTER CARE
March 15, 2022
Coyote Hill Foster Care Ministries is a foster family support organization that licenses families to become foster parents. The organization offers opportunities for parents to foster children at Coyote Hill Foster Care Ministries’s home on their own campus.
Larry and Cathy McDaniel founded Coyote Hill Foster Care Ministries 31 years ago in Harrisburg on a small piece of land. The facility has now expanded to 300 acres including eight foster homes that can house six children at a time.
Coyote Hill Foster Care Ministries In Need of Volunteers And Donations
February 24, 2022
For nearly 30 years, Coyote Hill Foster Care Ministries has provided services for local foster children and families. There are approximately 200 kids in foster care in Randolph County alone. Moberly Area Coordinator for Coyote Hill Foster Care Ministries, Karcie Clark, says the organization is in need of more volunteers at this time.
Mizzou’s Bailey using NIL to give back
February 17, 2022
Chad Bailey’s first exposure to foster care came because he needed someone to play with.
The Missouri linebacker was born more than a decade after his two older siblings, so as a child, he didn’t have anyone his own age to chase around his Houston home. Thus, his mother, Tishanna Bailey, figured she could accomplish two goals at once — finding her youngest son a playmate and giving back to the less fortunate — by applying to become a foster parent.
Larry McDaniel on The Lincoln Highway
February 16, 2022
Larry McDaniel, founder of Coyote Hill Foster Care Ministries – a foster care provider and services agency, joins us on the Front Porch to discuss The Lincoln Highway. Larry’s expertise in working with children gives him special insight into the characters in this book by Amor Towles.
Mizzou football player Chad Bailey, a Houston native, using his NIL earnings to help foster children
February 11, 2022
Coyote Hill Foster Care Ministries also has its own foster care community, a 300 acre property in Harrisburg, Mo., that includes six large foster family homes.
February: Movers & Shakers
February 2, 2022
Bill Atherton has been formally named the chief executive officer of Coyote Hill Foster Care Ministries. After taking a tour of Coyote Hill Foster Care Ministries in October of 1995, Bill quickly made the transition to be a home parent missionary.
A Columbia Morning on KFRU
December 16, 2021
Larry McDaniel and Bill Atherton discuss Coyote Hill Foster Care Ministries transitions and the importance of foster parents.
Giving Tuesday marks the start of CoMoGives to support non-profits across Mid-Missouri
November 30, 2021
Giving Tuesday marks the start of CoMoGives, a nearly decade long program dedicated to raising funds for non-profits across Mid-Missouri.
This year marks the ninth campaign of CoMoGives and the program that started with 30 organizations and raising $62,400 has now turned into 148 organizations and last year raised $1.6 million.
Foster care service expanding into northeast Missouri
November 1, 2021
Coyote Hill Foster Care Ministries, a foster care service in Missouri, is expanding its services into northeast Missouri to help support foster children and parents in the area.
With more than 200 kids in foster care in Marion County alone, as of September, the need for more licensed foster parents and services offered by organizations like Coyote Hill Foster Care Ministries has never been higher.
Office of the Inspector General: Missouri hasn’t done enough for missing foster children
October 4, 2021
The inspector general for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services said Missouri has not done enough to protect children who go missing from foster care. According to the Office of the Inspector General, 978 children in foster care in Missouri were not accounted for in 2019. On any given day, there are about 110 children in Missouri missing from foster homes.
The Office of the Inspector General’s report was critical of the lack of policies the Missouri foster care agency has in place to protect foster care children.
Brian Whitley, regional inspector general for the Office of Evaluations and Inspections, said Missouri did not play its role in attempting to reduce foster children’s risk of going missing.
Mid-Missouri foster agencies respond to federal report critical of state’s foster care system
October 3, 2021
FAYETTE – A report issued on Thursday by the U.S. Inspector General’s office accuses the Missouri Department of Social Services of not protecting children who go missing from the state’s foster care system.
The report examined 59 cases of children who went missing. The report did not list specific foster care agencies involved with any of the missing children.
KOMU 8 News contacted Coyote Hill Foster Care Ministries and the Central Missouri Foster Care and Adoption Association, two foster care agencies, to ask for their feedback on what could be done to improve the safety of children in the state’s foster care system.
A Home of Love
September 29, 2021
About 30 minutes northwest of Columbia, nestled in the rolling hills of western Boone County, is the village of Harrisburg, population 226. Harrisburg is home to the sprawling 300 acres that comprise Coyote Hill Foster Care Ministries…a peaceful haven for some of Mid-Missouri’s foster families that is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year.
Here, foster parents live on the premises with their foster children in either one of seven large residences or one duplex. They do not pay for rent, utilities, groceries, or the children’s health care, allowing them to focus on being full-time foster parents.
In 2020, the number of Missouri children entering foster care increased by double digits in every region except Southwest Missouri…For Bill Atherton, the soft-spoken, gentle-natured, COO of Coyote Hill Foster Care Ministries, the dream is to see a day when there are “more foster homes than foster children.”
Coyote Hill Foster Care Ministries opens seventh foster home to celebrate 30th anniversary
September 12, 2021
Since 1991, Coyote Hill Foster Care Ministries Foster Care Neighborhood has helped more than 700 children in Missouri’s foster care system.
Larry and Cathy McDaniel started the organization as Coyote Hill Foster Care Ministries Christian Children’s Home soon after they became first-time foster parents.
“It started as one set of foster parents in one home with one kid, and we went from there,” said CEO Larry McDaniel, who has his master’s degree in social work and is a licensed clinical social worker.
MORE at The Columbia Daily Tribune
Families celebrate summer with BBQ, fireworks at Coyote Hill Foster Care Ministries Christian Children’s Home
July 3, 2021
Foster and adoptive families came together at Coyote Hill Foster Care Ministries Christian Children’s Home on Saturday evening for a Fourth of July picnic that included barbecue, watermelon, hay rides and fireworks.
Coyote Hill Foster Care Ministries was originally started by Larry and Cathy McDaniel in 1991. The McDaniels noticed a need for a professional home of love that would be able to address not only social and emotional issues within the foster care system, but the physical ones as well.
MORE at The Columbia Missourian
Our Opinion: Welcoming a safe haven for children
July 2, 2021
We welcome Coyote Hill Foster Care Ministries’s addition of a foster home here in Jefferson City.
The local home had a ribbon-cutting ceremony Tuesday, with first lady Teresa Parson assisting…Parson was among the well-wishers at the ceremony, saying she hopes the program expands across the state. “I visited the Coyote Hill Foster Care Ministries homes, and they’re doing great work for these foster children,” she said. “It’s a good cause to support.”
We echo the first lady’s sentiments. We hope the Mid-Missouri community embraces the organization’s mission and supports it, and we wish them well.
Coyote Hill Foster Care Ministries holds ribbon-cutting for house in Jefferson City
June 29, 2021
Coyote Hill Foster Care Ministries added another location to its foster home community. This one in Jefferson City.
The community held a ribbon- cutting ceremony for the ranch-style home Tuesday afternoon.
“Family” is at the heart of Coyote Hill Foster Care Ministries, the nonprofit’s founder and Chief Executive Officer Larry McDaniel told about 80 people gathered at its newest home. Coyote Hill Foster Care Ministries, a ministry dedicated to providing safe and loving homes for abused and neglected children, began about 30 years ago. It is based in Harrisburg, where six homes and a duplex sit on about 300 acres.
At any given time, Coyote Hill Foster Care Ministries families could be caring for about 120 children, McDaniel said.
Nonprofit Coyote Hill Foster Care Ministries to host grand opening event for new foster home
June 28, 2021
JEFFERSON CITY — Coyote Hill Foster Care Ministries will host a ribbon cutting ceremony for its new Jefferson City foster home on Tuesday from 4 to 5 p.m.
The property can house up to six children at a time.
The nonprofit seeks to give children in foster care a safe place to be a child. The organization provides resources to license foster parents, giving children secure homes to live in and providing advocates to walk through life with families.
Jefferson City couple takes leap of faith to make a difference
June 21, 2021
In September of 2020, Oly and Rob Warner completed the required training to become foster parents, with the goal of taking in one teenager and seeing how it went.
A couple of months later, Oly was on her lunch break at work when she received a call from a family advocate. The advocate told her about Coyote Hill Foster Care Ministries, a ministry that provides homes for children in need. It was operating only one site in Harrisburg at the time, but it had recently purchased a community foster home in Jefferson City and was looking for foster parents…
So Rob and Oly visited Coyote Hill Foster Care Ministries to see the vision.
Joe Machens gives back
December 30, 2020
Thank you, Joe Machens Toyota, for giving back to us and other charities in the community. What a wonderful surprise!
“We knew when we saw such awesome vehicles drive down our road, something amazing was going to happen.”
MORE at Joe Machens Toyota Community
Coyote Hill Foster Care Ministries foster home set to open in Jefferson City
December 7, 2020
Coyote Hill Foster Care Ministries is opening a foster home with the help of members from Wesley United Methodist Church in Jefferson City and community members.
Coyote Hill Foster Care Ministries is a ministry dedicated to providing safe homes for children in foster care that have been abused and neglected. It has provided this service for nearly 30 years in Harrisburg, where it has six foster homes.
Coyote Hill Foster Care Ministries community foster home to open in Jefferson City
December 6, 2020
A few years ago, a group of people volunteered at a foster care community and dreamed about bringing it to Jefferson City. Now, their vision has come to life.
When members of Wesley United Methodist Church in Jefferson City volunteered at the Coyote Hill Foster Care Ministries ministry in Harrisburg, they fell in love with it and saw a need for it in Jefferson City.
Three siblings adopted in forever home after 1,111 days in foster care
December 3, 2020
“It’s quite the adventure, but it’s also really a blessing to get to love these kids forever.” KRCG interviews Home Parents Josh & Brittany McCaskey following the Dec. 1, 2020 adoption of three siblings who spent over three years in foster care.
Impact COMO 2020
October 30, 2020
In COMO magazine’s annual “Impact COMO” edition, which celebrates the passion and generosity of the individuals, organizations, and companies that work to make Columbia a better place, Coyote Hill Foster Care Ministries’s Founder and CEO Larry McDaniel is selected as the “Most Impactful Executive Director”.
MORE at COMO Living+Working Magazine
Coyote Hill Foster Care Ministries saw a record number of child abuse calls in July and August
October 15, 2020
KRCG interviews Coyote Hill Foster Care Ministries’s CDO Kari Hopkins regarding the fluctuating number of daily placement calls for children in need of a safe place during the coronavirus pandemic.
Paul Pepper: Kari Hopkins, Coyote Hill Foster Care Ministries, “Helping Foster Families”
October 2, 2020
CDO Kari Hopkins is interviewed by Paul Pepper and explains Coyote Hill Foster Care Ministries’s expansion with the addition of a Foster Care Services branch that will license 51 new foster families in 2020.
WATCH at Radio Friends with Paul Pepper
Building a Family
June 1, 2020
A look into Coyote Hill Foster Care Ministries’s new foster program, and a foster parent’s experience with the organization.
After nearly 30 years of providing children with the care and safety they need, Coyote Hill Foster Care Ministries has introduced a Foster Care Services program, a new foster program to Columbia to help provide licensing and support for foster families around the community as the rate of kids coming into care continues to steadily grow.
MORE at COMO Living+Working Magazine
Social Distancing is Challenging for Foster Families
May 11, 2020
For foster children, firsthand hugs, kisses and emotional support from their biological families are impossible at this time.
The state Children’s Division has moved in-person visits online in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The virtual visits are hard not only for the children but also for the parents — both foster and biological.
Coyote Hill Foster Care Ministries Doubles Goal After Canceling Fundraiser
March 17, 2020
Kari Hopkins was worried last Thursday.
An annual pancake fundraiser for summer recreation programs at Coyote Hill Foster Care Ministries Children’s Home, scheduled for Saturday, was canceled over coronavirus concerns.
MORE at Columbia Daily Tribune
New Foster Care Program Opens in Columbia
January 14, 2020
Missouri has a shortage of families in the foster care system, but one organization is making efforts to close the gap.
Coyote Hill Foster Care Ministries hosted a ribbon cutting to kick off its new foster care program in Columbia. According to chief development officer, Kari Hopkins, the program will provide support and training to foster parents like never before in the mid-Missouri area.
Coyote Hill Foster Care Ministries Adds New Children’s Home
May 18, 2019
The doors of Coyote Hill Foster Care Ministries’s Petersheim Home are now open. On May 1, Coyote Hill Foster Care Ministries Christian Children’s Home held a ribbon-cutting ceremony to mark the opening of this new home for children. The home was built with donations from Ed Petersheim and Veterans United Foundation among others. The home is 5,500 square feet, has a basketball court and a van for the family, and is filled with toys and home essentials.
MORE at COMO Living+Working Magazine
Nonprofit Profile: Coyote Hill Foster Care Ministries
January 7, 2019
In Harrisburg, just 30 minutes north of Columbia, sits Coyote Hill Foster Care Ministries Christian Children’s Home. Coyote Hill Foster Care Ministries has developed a nontraditional take on the foster home, where children live in blended families, with house parents raising their biological children alongside foster children. This environment gives Coyote Hill Foster Care Ministries the ability to take on large groups of siblings without separating them, a practice which is uncommon in the traditional foster care system.
MORE at COMO Living+Working Magazine
Veterans Battling Mental Health Issues Find Comfort in Horses
October 28, 2018
Some veterans are using horses as comrades in their battle against mental health issues.
Millions of veterans nationwide return home with post-traumatic stress disorder, depression and traumatic brain injuries.
Transformations: From Foster Care to a Forever Family
September 26, 2018
Tiffany Lester finds community at Coyote Hill Foster Care Ministries Christian Children’s Home.
When describing her childhood, Tiffany Lester calls it “standard and what every kid goes through.” But the standard childhood the now 28-year-old Tiffany is referring to is for foster care children.
MORE at COMO Living+Working Magazine
Forever Loved
July 27, 2016
Denise McDaniel’s story is a series of lessons on heartbreak and healing. She’s still teaching those lessons to her big family at Coyote Hill Foster Care Ministries Christian Children’s Home.
For some people, it takes a few false starts to find a passion in life. Others build on their natural talents and fit easily into a chosen career. And then there are those whose experiences and struggles have uniquely shaped them to meet an extraordinary calling.
MORE at COMO Living+Working Magazine
Hero Awards recognize recognize community volunteers
April 14, 2015
A few minutes into his speech, Voluntary Action Center Executive Director Nick Foster paused and posed a question to the audience gathered Monday for the Tribune Hero Awards.
“What if we all volunteered in our community the way today’s hero nominees do?” Foster asked.
MORE at Columbia Daily Tribune
A girl, her horse and a little love
April 10, 2011
The popular author C.S. Lewis wrote a book titled “A Horse and His Boy.” I caught a glimpse of a horse and his girl while at Coyote Hill Foster Care Ministries Christian Children’s Home, and luckily I had my camera with me.