DeSales Community Development and Fox Grove Management have been working throughout the COVID-19 pandemic to help families access rental assistance so that they can stay in their homes. In December 2021, the DeSales and Fox Grove teams hosted their first-ever Rental Assistance Clinic and met with 15 families one-on-one to help them apply for almost $52,000 in Missouri State Assistance for Housing Relief (SAFHR) rental assistance.
DeSales Community Development Announces "Passing of the Leadership Baton"
DeSales Community Development’s Executive Director, Tom Pickel, has announced his plan to retire by the end of 2022. His departure will cap a 35-year career with the organization. Under Tom’s leadership, DeSales has grown to be one of the region’s largest and most respected CDCs.
Succeeding Tom as Executive Director will be Assistant Director, Becky Reinhart. Her promotion was approved unanimously by the DeSales Board of Directors. Becky joined DeSales in 2017 as Director of Community Programs and was promoted to her current position in 2019.
Photo by Lindy Drew / Humans of St. Louis
6 CBN Members Receive $370,000 in Affordable Housing Trust Fund Awards for 2022
CBN members DeSales Community Development, Dutchtown South Community Corporation, Employment Connection, Legal Services of Eastern Missouri, Park Central Development, and Rebuilding Together St. Louis have been awarded $370,000 in funds from the City of St. Louis’ Affordable Housing Trust Fund to support housing and social services projects. The Affordable Housing Commission awarded roughly $5.3 million for FY 2022.
DeSales and Partners Launch Friends of South Grand
Image by DeSales Community Development
DeSales Community Development launched Friends of South Grand on November 15, 2021 to raise funds in support of the restoration and ongoing maintenance of the South Grand medians between Arsenal and DeTonty Avenue. Friends of South Grand was made possible through support and sponsorship from Tower Grove Neighborhoods CDC, South Grand CID, and the leadership of St. Louis City Alderwomen Christine Ingrassia and Annie Rice.
Other early supporters include the neighborhood associations of Compton Heights, Compton Hill Reservoir Square, Shaw, and Tower Grove East as well as City Property Company. Tower Grove Park is providing technical assistance.
DeSales Young Ambassadors team up with Landmarks Urbanites on "Heart Bombing" Event
On Saturday, February 13th, DeSales Young Ambassadors teamed up with the Landmarks Urbanites to throw a "heart bombing" event! The weather could not have been worse, but lots of dedicated STL lovers still showed up! The purpose of the event was to bring attention to significant buildings and neighborhoods which needed some attention and investment.
DeSales Community Development Completes Interactive History Map
DeSales Community Development has been working on a mapping platform to communicate the development and community work that’s been done in their service area neighborhoods. This map showcases the people, companies, and organizations that have helped to make the communities they serve a thriving piece of South St. Louis City.
Screenshot from DeSales Community Development’s interactive map
Dutchtown South CC & DeSales CD Team Up to Provide COVID-Safe Fall Soccer
Dutchtown South Community Corporation and DeSales Community Development are partnering up through the Southside Rec program to bring small-group soccer training to Marquette Park this fall! To keep this activity COVID-19-safe, soccer teams will be limited to 8 kids and won’t play other teams. Instead, they’ll have weekly practices and a scheduled time on Saturdays to scrimmage their own team.
Register your child(ren) to participate here, or contact Abby Miller (abby@desalescd.com) with questions!
Image by DeSales Community Development & Dutchtown South Community Corporation
DeSales Celebrates First Cohort of "Here To Stay" Eviction Prevention Program
The first cohort of the DeSales Community Development "Here To Stay" eviction prevention program graduated this past month with big success.
DeSales’ shared the most recent update in a recent Aug 24 newsletter:
“[The Here to Stay] program offers residents an alternative to eviction through a 3 month program that connects them to supportive services and financial coaching in order to regain stability. Not only did our first group of participants all avoid eviction, but they paid down their rental debt by an average of $1,600!
Two residents even ended their program with a credit to put towards future month's rent. What's more, many of them achieved personal goals during the program: One enrolled in a bachelor's level program for computer sciences, two were able to purchase vehicles, one joined a program to develop community leadership skills, and one made a significant improvement to her credit score. The fact that all this was done in the midst of a pandemic makes their accomplishments all the more impressive.
We are immensely proud of all our participants and grateful to our financial coaching partners, Prosperity Connection and LifeWiseSTL.”
The “Here To Stay” program is funded in part by the City of St. Louis’ Affordable Housing Trust Fund.
Image by DeSales Community Development
DSCC, DeSales, & Partners Team up to Provide Free Summer Art Kits to Kids
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.
DeSales Unveils Fox Park Field Days Website
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.
DeSales Community Development to Continue Food & Essentials Drives Through Summer
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.
DeSales Community Development Hosting a Food & Essentials Drive
DeSales Community Development is hosting a Food and Essentials Drive to support LifeWise STL's food distribution program. They’re collecting donations of nonperishable items and cleaning products. Donations are being accepted May 4-13.
