As Saint Louis Metro Area residents, we have our own personal reasons to be proud of where we are from. Some of us may rave about Forest Park and the Muny; others may boast of the success of the Blues and the Cardinals. We could talk about our ever-expanding zoo, the Loop, the Art Museum, the City Museum, the Fox and any number of places and experiences. These places and experiences would be incomplete if not for the people who live and work here or visit the metro area.
It is this great love for the people of “The Lou” that led one area church to execute a radical idea. For the week of Sept. 3-8, The Crossing Church’s Mid Rivers, Chesterfield, Fenton and Grant’s Trail campuses changed their normal weekly schedule and canceled weekend services. Instead, church staff and members were encouraged to step into the St. Louis area community to serve and meet the needs of various businesses and organizations.
This movement was titled “For the Lou” and called for service in neighborhoods, schools, other churches, blood banks, food banks, hospitals, kitchens and a wide array of other places. Serving opportunities were organized and available for sign-up through the church’s website, or individuals could elect to seek out a service opportunity on their own. In all, an estimated 1,850 people participated in this community outreach event via the online sign-ups, with many more seeking their own serving initiatives. Additionally, roughly 32 organizations and businesses were affected by this movement.
While this organized event may be over, this movement does not have to be. There are still organizations and places in our community that need ongoing monetary assistance and helping hands. A few of these organizations in St. Charles County are detailed below.
Crisis Nursery
The Crisis Nursery offers five locations—two locations in St. Charles and St. Louis and one in Wentzville. It defines its mission as a commitment to the “prevention of child abuse and neglect and the provision of emergency intervention, respite care and support to families in crisis.”
This nonprofit agency, founded in 1986, works with social services to provide advocacy for the family and the children. The Crisis Nursery also provides temporary care for children ranging from infants to age 12 in the event that an emergent situation arises due to a parent’s or sibling’s death, lack of food or shelter, increased parental stress or an event that warrants a parent-child separation for the safety of the child(ren). Not only does the Crisis Nursery provide a safe haven for the children in its care, but it also offers each child “a medical exam, a developmental assessment, therapeutic interventions, art activities to help with emotional expression and three meals a day plus snacks.”
Resources and referrals are also available for individuals who contact their 24-hour helpline. Donations and volunteer help are necessary components to keep this organization thriving and reaching the community. To make a donation to this worthwhile cause, call Karen Schuessel at 314.292.5770. To volunteer your time to work with the children or to make the nursery a clean and safe place, contact CrisisNurseryKids.org or 314.768.3201.
Sts. Joachim and Ann Care Services
As the largest social service provider for the Tri-County area of St. Charles, Lincoln, and Warren, Sts. Joachim and Ann offers its services to “protect families, especially children, the elderly and disabled from the despair, hopelessness and social injustice caused by poverty.”
Founded in 1981 by five charitable individuals with only $500 between them, Sts. Joachim and Ann is now able to offer comprehensive case management and resources for those at or below 50% of the Missouri median income. Additional services include but are not limited to rent/mortgage utility assistance, temporary shelter/permanent housing, home repairs, referrals and resources, service planning, and employment services. This beneficial service relies heavily on assistance from the community through donations, volunteer hours, financial contributions, and food donations. With nearly 100,000 volunteer hours logged yearly, Sts. Joachim and Ann needs community support just as much as our communities need it. To offer a financial contribution or volunteer, you can make a donation online at JACares.org/How-To-Help or call 636.441.1302 for more information.
Habitat for Humanity
Habitat for Humanity is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing housing to families in need who are willing to invest hard work into building and being financially responsible for their home. A primary driving force behind the inception of Habitat for Humanity was a desire to eliminate inadequate and unsafe housing. Homes may be considered substandard for a variety of reasons including, but not limited to unaffordability, home damage and location within an unsafe community.
Applicants for Habitat for Humanity are potential homebuyers living at or below 50% of Missouri’s median income. Homebuyers are required to put in 350 hours of what is known as “sweat equity” toward the house that they will be living in. These hours can be earned by helping with construction on their house, helping in the construction of other homes and engaging in mandatory and elective 6-8-week workshops geared toward taking care of the home, managing finances, personal health and other topics. Upon completion of the required hours, tasks and workshops, applicants become homeowners with a safe home and an affordable mortgage. To learn more about how to volunteer for this cause as a group or an individual, visit HabitatStl.org.
The Sparrow’s Nest
The Sparrow’s Nest defines its mission as embracing the “God-given dignity of all human life by empowering young moms and their children to realize their full potential.”
The Sparrow’s Nest executes its mission by providing a safe place both physically and emotionally to its young residents. This long-term, nonprofit, faith-based housing program is available to pregnant teens throughout the duration of their pregnancy. These young women can also elect to stay in the home for up to a year after giving birth. Moreover, young moms with children younger than the age of 5 can also qualify for this service. Moms are provided with “diapers, wipes, baby supplies, clothes, bibles and counseling referrals” if applicable.
Residents are younger than the age of 19 and are required to complete their education via a traditional school environment, homeschool or a GED program. In addition to meeting basic needs such as shelter, meals and clothing, the Sparrow’s Nest also requires participation in a parenting curriculum, which includes content on everything from parenting skills to budgeting and Bible study. While there is a staff presence available 24/7, volunteers are an instrumental support system to the residents of the Sparrow’s Nest and are needed for program functioning. Volunteers act as mentors, Bible study leaders, administrative helpers, tutors, labor coaches and kind-hearted individuals to create a community that encourages young moms to make goals and celebrates in their achievements. To donate or volunteer, visit TheSparrowsNestStl.org/Volunteer.