Latest news with #UrbanLeagueofMetropolitanSt.Louis
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
09-02-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Urban League holds MLK drive-thru event to help St. Louis families
ST. LOUS – The Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis hosted its MLK drive-thru giveaway event on Saturday. The event was sponsored by the St. Louis Area Foodbank, Schnucks, and other local organizations. From noon to 3 p.m., organizers handed out 1,700 boxes filled with food items, toiletries, and PPE products. Michael McMillan, president of the Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis, says many residents are thankful for their donations and the volunteers who help get them their food on days like today. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
