CBN Member Bright Spots
Tower Grove Neighborhoods CDC’s HomeScreen program, a nonprofit mission-driven tenant screening service, is looking for landlords who are open to renting to those who have been displaced, knowing these renters will have the support of Employment Connection and other supportive service agencies. They’re also encouraging landlords to seek alternatives to evictions during this difficult time for our community.
Landlords who want to help can take HomeScreen’s survey here.
Rise Community Development recently announced that work has begun on the Gene Slay’s Girls & Boys Club (GSGBC) Dutchtown Satellite in the former St. Hedwig’s School on Pulaski Street. They note that “the expansion of neighborhood organizations, faith groups, and local businesses to serve as safe places for youth was a priority during development of the Gravois Jefferson Historic Neighborhoods Plan. This project represents a step toward achieving that vision.”
Photo by Rise
Employees at Habitat for Humanity Saint Louis recently compiled a reading and watch list to help folks learn about racial inequality in housing. They state in the list’s overview that “the history of housing segregation, discrimination, and unequal access to housing stems from policies that were aimed to divide the rich and wealthy from the middle working class and the poor. It was racism that played a huge role when it came to U.S. housing policy and still does to this very day.”
Take a look at Habitat for Humanity Saint Louis’ Housing & Discrimination Resource List here >>
Dutchtown South Community Corporation, DeSales Community Development, Cherokee CID, & Cherokee Street Reach have partnered to provide the SouthSide Arts Virtual Summer Program, which is offering free art kits to children ages 6-12 from Juneteenth through July 25.
Photo taken from “Fox Park Field Days” website
DeSales Community Development launched the Fox Park Field Days website to raise awareness about the community project and celebrate the past, present, and future of Fox Park!.
One of the first projects on the horizon is the renovation of the field house in the park.
“The Fox Park Field House renovation will restore a public facility in Fox Park that is currently in poor condition and unable to serve the public. The newly renovated field house will better serve the diverse needs of St. Louis City residents by providing accessible restrooms, a multi-purpose room, and a concession space.
The restored field house will offer a range of services to meet Fox Park’s resident’s diverse needs, including community meetings, programs and classes for children and adults, and summer meal service for children.”
To read more about the project, click here.
Photo by Alana Green
The St. Louis Housing Authority has retained St. Louis-based Gaia Green Earth, LLC to create a public/private LTE network that will provide free wifi to about 1,200 families living in public housing. CARES Act funding is supporting the rollout of phase one of the program over the next six to eight weeks in specific SLHA developments. Phase two will focus on fundraising and expanding the program to remaining SLHA housing units.
Dutchtown community organizations came together to host a socially-distant drive-in movie night for neighbors! This was thanks to a partnership between Downtown Dutchtown and numerous other partners including CBN members Dutchtown South Community Corp & Habitat for Humanity St. Louis.
Habitat for Humanity was able to use their large wall and parking lot to host the showing of Independence Day. Residents wore masks when outside of their cars and even set up a pedestrian area as well.
This collaborative event was also an opportunity for residents to buy food from local businesses, register to vote, and learn about neighborhood resources!
To watch a video to learn more about the Dutchtown neighborhood, click here.
Take a look at photos of the event from Downtown Dutchtown & Cross Grand below!
DeSales Community Development has been arranging a food drive and distribution program with the help of community donations, a grant from the Horizon Foundation, support from the Messiah Lutheran Church, and DeSales AmeriCorps interns. Through August 3, the program is accepting donations of essentials that can be dropped off at the Messiah Community center (2801 Magnolia Ave) between 9am and 5pm on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.
St. Joseph Housing Initiative bought their sixth house for rehab on June 4 and recently welcomed their second family as first-time homeowners. SJHI provides support for families after they move in through their First Neighbors program, which pairs homebuyers with a team of skilled mentors and provides a homebuyer education class at no cost.
PNC Financial Services Group recently announced a more than $1 billion commitment to help end systemic racism and support economic empowerment of African Americans and low- and moderate-income communities.
Photo from the Spanish Lake CDC Facebook page
Spanish Lake CDC partnered with the St. Louis Area Foodbank and Spanish Lake Community Association to host a free mobile market for area residents.
Participants were able to drive up and receive free supplies directly in their trunk. Residents were also welcome to walk-in as long as they wore a mask and practiced social distancing.
Dutchtown South Community Corporation is hiring Community Champions to lead canvases & clean-ups from June through October! Community Champions receive a monthly stipend & training, support, & resources from the DSCC team. Email Karisa@DutchtownSouth.Org for more information.
Park Central Development recently launched its Stay In Place Program (SIPP) to help keep their residents in the neighborhoods they call home.
Resource Specialist Nanyamka Brown is supporting families to sign up and access resources including:
Utility Assistance
Emergency Rental/Mortgage Assistance
Security Deposit Funds
Learn more by clicking here!
This program was made possible in part due to the Affordable Housing Trust Fund in the City of St. Louis.
Wells Fargo recently profiled Beyond Housing for their emergency relief efforts in service of North St. Louis County residents. Thanks to the support of Wells Fargo and other partners, Beyond Housing has distributed over 160,000 meals to local families who have lost income as a result of COVID-19.
photo by Vanessa Charlot for the New York Times
Justine Petersen was profiled in the New York Times for their work defending minority-owned businesses in Ferguson, MO—both literally and figuratively.
The story focused on Galen Gondolfi and other team members who formed a protective line around The One And Only BBQ during protests in support of the owner Red Harris.
Justine Petersen runs a Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) that lends to many minority-owned businesses using a combination of government funds and private donations.
Read more about this story and the role of CDFIs in the community by clicking here!
photo by Vanessa Charlot for the New York Times
Park Place Housing & Economic Development hosted a virtual town hall for residents of the Fountain Park & Lewis Place neighborhoods.
They covered neighborhood updates and got public health updates directly from the City’s Director of Health.
Watch the virtual town hall on their facebook page by clicking here!
Screenshot from the Park Place HED virtual town hall live-stream
Hyde Park Neighborhood Association partnered up with Alpha Phi Alpha and other groups to host a successful food drive and giveaway event on May 23rd in Hyde Park.
Photo by Hyde Park Neighborhood Association
Photo by Hyde Park Neighborhood Association
YouthBridge Community Foundation has established two (2) charitable funds to address both immediate and long-term needs related to the COVID-19 pandemic:
Immigrant Family Emergency Response Fund – Created collaboratively by local foundations and nonprofit organizations, this Fund addresses the financial repercussions of the pandemic and lack of social supports available for immigrant families.
Nonprofit Recovery and Resiliency Fund – This fund will address medium and long-term needs of the nonprofits themselves. Long after the immediate needs have subsided, nonprofits will need recovery assistance and support for ongoing preparedness to respond to future disasters and community needs.
Rung for Women’s latest blog post invites readers to envision their lives post-COVID-19 and outlines some actions women can take now to ensure they have a running start after the pandemic has passed.
Photo by North Newstead Association
North Newstead Association has been working with Invest STL, Fairground Neighborhood Revitalization Organization, Wellston Loop CDC, Lewis Place and Fountain Park Neighborhood Association, St. Louis Metro Market, and Urban Harvest STL to deliver fresh, nutritious produce to neighbors in the Fairground, Wells-Goodfellow, Fountain Park, and Lewis Place neighborhoods.
Photo by North Newstead Association
Photo by North Newstead Association
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