Latest news with #GrilltoGlory
Yahoo
29-05-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Urban League's Grill to Glory returns to unite community amid tornado recovery
ST. LOUIS – The Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis is launching its 'Grill to Glory' initiative Saturday, aiming to unite neighborhoods in the wake of a massive tornado that caused significant damage in north St. Louis nearly two weeks ago. The Grill to Glory initiative, which involves over 320 neighborhood churches, seeks to bring communities together through shared grilling events. The program has a history of reducing crime and bringing neighborhoods together, which Urban League officials emphasize as communities work to recover from the tornado's impact. Florissant home explosion: 1 person injured Church leaders will gather at the Urban League headquarters to collect grills and other supplies needed for the events. These gatherings will take place several Saturdays over the summer, beginning this weekend. Meanwhile, the Missouri National Guard is preparing four locations where people can drop off debris from the tornado, according to the Post-Dispatch. The sites could open as soon as Thursday. The Missouri National Guard plans for the debris sites to be available for two weeks, although that timeframe could be extended. The debris sites can be found at the following locations: Marshall Branch School: 4322 Aldine Avenue Turner Middle School: 2573 Billups Avenue DeAndreis/Bunche School: 4257 Clarence Avenue Farragut Elementary: 4025 Sullivan Avenue All facts in this report were gathered by journalists employed by KTVI. Artificial intelligence tools were used to reformat from a broadcast script into a news article for our website. This report was edited and fact-checked by KTVI staff before being published. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Urban League STL calls on local churches to help stabilize neighborhoods
ST. LOUIS — Jerusalem Missionary Baptist Church in north St. Louis is where Deborah Walton found the strength to turn her life around. 'I was out on the streets doing drugs,' she said. The church was one of the first in the St. Louis area to partner with the Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis and its Grill to Glory program. 'It all started with one hot dog,' said Pastor J.B. Garris of Jerusalem Missionary Baptist Church. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Walton said she felt comfortable coming to church barbecues. That level of comfort led her to seek the help she needed. 'I feel much better now,' she said. The summertime barbecues are set to resume at the end of May. The Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis reported that more than 400 churches are now participating. 'It gives us the opportunity to know each other and change lives,' Garris said. 'That one simple, little hot dog has changed so many lives.' James Clark, vice president of Public Safety for the Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis, said the message from neighborhood residents is clear. 'We want to galvanize,' he said. 'We want to mobilize, and we need resources, and the best place to come to get resources is the neighborhood church.' Clark said some of the Urban League's resources are also delivered through family resource enrollments established at some churches. Dairy Haven refuses to accept 'sweaty' money He said case managers can monitor neighborhood needs and help connect residents with necessary resources, such as job training. The Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis reports more than 100,000 area residents have engaged in the Grill to Glory program. Clark is calling on more area churches to find ways to strengthen the neighborhoods they serve. 'Law enforcement plays a very important role,' Clark said. 'Our elected officials play a very important role, but we are being very intentional about how we can increase the activity and resource delivery through neighborhood churches to families that live in some of our more challenged neighborhoods.' He encourages any church interested in learning more about how they can become a pipeline for resources in their community to contact the Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
28-02-2025
- Yahoo
STL leaders collaborate with Urban League, others to strengthen partnerships
ST. LOUIS – Faith leaders from St. Louis joined the Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis and area police chiefs in an important meeting on Thursday night, aimed at strengthening neighborhood partnerships and reducing violence. The gathering took place at the Urban League's Bunce Campus in the College Hill neighborhood of the city. Organizers expressed concerns about uncertainty surrounding federal funding. They also want to make sure partnerships are strengthened with summer approaching. New charges filed against accused Ballwin serial rapist Police chiefs in attendance shared insights with faith leaders on how partnerships can help reduce violence. 'Places of worship are more than just spiritual centers; they are pillars of stability, support and hope,' said Chief Robert Tracy of the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department. Chief Thomas Trice of the Cahokia Heights Police Department highlighted the role that faith leaders play, particularly after the tragic murder of a 15-year-old victim that led to the arrests of three suspects. 'The church is the vital linchpin to the family unit,' Trice said. Among the Urban League's initiatives is the Grill to Glory program, which fosters engagement through barbeques aimed at strengthening neighborhoods. 'By partnering with them, we can do more than we would normally be able to do,' said Pastor Richard Ashley of St. Philip's Evangelical Lutheran Church. In addition, the Urban League provides 'Slow Down' signs to churches as part of a community program designed to enhance street safety. Police chiefs acknowledged the important role police departments play but emphasized that they are only one part of a larger effort. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now 'I don't think there's a city, state or federal government in this country or world that can survive or even prosper without the help of clergy or pastors,' said Chief Kendall Perry of the East St. Louis Police Department. Chief Kenneth Gregory of the St. Louis County Police added, 'Our faith leaders serve as trusted voices in the community, offering guidance, support, and hope.' 'There is no legislative fix; there is no law enforcement fix. This is a family problem, and this is a neighborhood problem, and we believe that the neighborhood church is that pivotal partner we've been working with for years,' said James Clark from St. Louis Faith Leaders Collaborate with Urban League and Police Chiefs to Strengthen Neighborhood Partnerships. As summer approaches, the partnership between faith leaders, community organizations and law enforcement continues to seek ways to address the challenges facing their neighborhoods. Urban League officials said churches can play a vital role in funneling resources connected to mental health, violence reduction and drug addiction to their communities. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
