http://www.missionstl.org/main-blog/ Thu, 10 May 2012 16:01:43 GMT en-us Copyright 2012 Mission St. Louis http://www.missionstl.org/main-blog/paying-it-forward/ http://www.missionstl.org/main-blog/paying-it-forward/ Wed, 02 May 2012 16:01:40 GMT I can relate to the men I serve through my role as Director of Jobs For Life, Mission: St. Louis’ job training program. Three years ago I was in the same position as most of the guys in our 8-week program: I engaged in risky behavior that ... http://www.missionstl.org/main-blog/excited-for-summer-days/ http://www.missionstl.org/main-blog/excited-for-summer-days/ Wed, 25 Apr 2012 12:25:34 GMT When I began my time here at Mission: St Louis, I had a vague idea of what to expect. Now I am beginning to see the whole picture. I have spent my time here working to help develop a free summer camp Mission: St Louis will host for the kids in ... http://www.missionstl.org/main-blog/247/ http://www.missionstl.org/main-blog/247/ Wed, 18 Apr 2012 23:06:41 GMT The phrase “don’t take your work home with you” resonates with many people. This has always been difficult for me. I become so passionate about what I am doing that often times it is on my mind every minute of every day. ... http://www.missionstl.org/main-blog/humanity-is-universal/ http://www.missionstl.org/main-blog/humanity-is-universal/ Wed, 11 Apr 2012 19:29:19 GMT As I walk up the crumbling sidewalk, I notice a few stray kids lingering on the front lawn. Its fair to say all of these “kids” should be students, however, its apparent from the lack of uniforms on a few that they will not be ... http://www.missionstl.org/main-blog/one-hour-a-week/ http://www.missionstl.org/main-blog/one-hour-a-week/ Wed, 28 Mar 2012 16:28:51 GMT Volunteering has always been a part of my life. In elementary school, this meant that I gave up my lunch recess to help in the special education classroom. As a young adult, I traveled thousands of miles to learn from and love a community in ... http://www.missionstl.org/main-blog/you-can-help-bring-dignity-empowerment-and-hope-to-people-in-st-louis/ http://www.missionstl.org/main-blog/you-can-help-bring-dignity-empowerment-and-hope-to-people-in-st-louis/ Wed, 21 Mar 2012 20:52:53 GMT I’m a few months into my time here at Mission: St. Louis and I am absolutely loving it. I’m realizing more each day where my heart lies—social justice. This job doesn't come with a fancy car or huge paycheck but it comes with ... http://www.missionstl.org/main-blog/what-does-it-mean-to-be-brave/ http://www.missionstl.org/main-blog/what-does-it-mean-to-be-brave/ Wed, 14 Mar 2012 16:46:49 GMT I thought being brave was one of those traits reserved for people living life on the edge and I couldn’t see myself chasing down poachers in the Serengeti. So, when my dad said to me, “You’re being so brave, Hauna!” I ... http://www.missionstl.org/main-blog/with-support-comes-growth/ http://www.missionstl.org/main-blog/with-support-comes-growth/ Wed, 07 Mar 2012 22:47:39 GMT I am excited about what’s going on with Mission St. Louis. We are in the process of converting an empty space along Manchester--right next to our office--into a space that will serve the community. In this space next door, we will have a ... http://www.missionstl.org/main-blog/from-the-kitchen-to-the-heart/ http://www.missionstl.org/main-blog/from-the-kitchen-to-the-heart/ Wed, 29 Feb 2012 15:28:12 GMT In my 20s, I would have bet anyone any amount of money that I wouldn’t, couldn’t, and shouldn’t ever move back to the city of Saint Louis. I was hopping around, living in cool cities like Boulder, Seattle, Auckland, and ... http://www.missionstl.org/main-blog/living-the-mission/ http://www.missionstl.org/main-blog/living-the-mission/ Wed, 22 Feb 2012 19:25:27 GMT Build relationships. Live on mission. Relocate. Develop Leaders. Empowerment. These “buzz words,” along with many others, are discussed everyday in the Mission: St. Louis office. When I started working with Mission: St. Louis, I ... http://www.missionstl.org/main-blog/a-year-of-service-in-review/ http://www.missionstl.org/main-blog/a-year-of-service-in-review/ Wed, 15 Feb 2012 06:00:02 GMT On February 24, 2011, I took my first steps into the world of Mission: St. Louis. At that point, our offices were located in The Luminary, we had four full-time and four part-time staff members, and I was their very first AmeriCorps*VISTA. Since ... http://www.missionstl.org/main-blog/an-hour-here-an-hour-there/ http://www.missionstl.org/main-blog/an-hour-here-an-hour-there/ Wed, 08 Feb 2012 06:00:02 GMT One thing that I really enjoy doing is working with children. I love knowing that by giving my time, I am helping. Whether it is playing a game with them, reading with them, or even just helping them understand the directions in the classroom, I ... http://www.missionstl.org/main-blog/youre-doing-what/ http://www.missionstl.org/main-blog/youre-doing-what/ Thu, 02 Feb 2012 16:23:40 GMT "You're doing what?!" This is the typical response I would hear from my friends and family when I told them I would be leaving my comfortable life in Corporate America in the country outskirts of St. Louis to be a full-time volunteer at Mission: ... http://www.missionstl.org/main-blog/a-hop-skip-and-jump-later/ http://www.missionstl.org/main-blog/a-hop-skip-and-jump-later/ Wed, 25 Jan 2012 19:51:35 GMT How often I found where I should be going, only by setting out for somewhere else.--Buckminster Fuller I am the new Community Relations AmeriCorps*VISTA at Mission: St. Louis. As I was told, I was primarily hired to be the "writer" of the ... http://www.missionstl.org/main-blog/a-couple-of-guys-making-a-difference/ http://www.missionstl.org/main-blog/a-couple-of-guys-making-a-difference/ Wed, 18 Jan 2012 14:46:24 GMT We completed our last Jobs for Life session with 10 graduates. Three of our graduates are now employed, one went back to jail, another is getting his GED, one just moved to North City with his two kids after being evicted on Christmas, and the ... http://www.missionstl.org/main-blog/relationship-its-how-we-live-life/ http://www.missionstl.org/main-blog/relationship-its-how-we-live-life/ Wed, 11 Jan 2012 06:00:04 GMT If you're around Mission: St. Louis at all, you may notice that the word "relationship" pops up frequently in conversation. We build our programs by building relationships. We believe that real, exciting life-change happens through ... http://www.missionstl.org/main-blog/a-timely-lesson/ http://www.missionstl.org/main-blog/a-timely-lesson/ Wed, 21 Dec 2011 06:00:04 GMT Finding the balance between creating sustainable relationships and effective programs is an ongoing battle for us at Mission: St. Louis. While the tendency for nonprofits is to want to create knock-out programs, at the core of who we are is a ... http://www.missionstl.org/main-blog/family-time/ http://www.missionstl.org/main-blog/family-time/ Wed, 14 Dec 2011 06:00:05 GMT The holidays are upon us, and are usually met with a mix of emotion. Over the last few weeks I've had many conversations with friends. Some are excited about this time of year, some not so much. Almost all speak of the stress and weight this ... http://www.missionstl.org/main-blog/media-communications-vista-volunteer-in-service-to-america/ http://www.missionstl.org/main-blog/media-communications-vista-volunteer-in-service-to-america/ Wed, 07 Dec 2011 21:55:57 GMT This is a full-time, one-year position requiring some evenings and weekends. The position starts February 2012 and is funded by AmeriCorps. As the Media Communications VISTA, you'll be the creative force behind sharing the endless stories that ... http://www.missionstl.org/main-blog/want-to-volunteer-this-christmas-how-about-all-year/ http://www.missionstl.org/main-blog/want-to-volunteer-this-christmas-how-about-all-year/ Wed, 07 Dec 2011 06:00:01 GMT Let me start by introducing myself. I am one of the newest AmeriCorps VISTA members to join Mission: St. Louis. I'm the Volunteer Coordinator, to be exact. I picked up my comfortable life in Kansas to move to the whole new world of St. ... http://www.missionstl.org/main-blog/tis-the-season-for-affordable-christmas/ http://www.missionstl.org/main-blog/tis-the-season-for-affordable-christmas/ Thu, 01 Dec 2011 21:47:56 GMT Now in its fifth year, Affordable Christmas seeks to empower families to provide a wonderful Christmas for their children. Instead of receiving charity, families are able to purchase brand new gifts at low cost. Since its first event in ... http://www.missionstl.org/main-blog/an-affordable-christmas-story/ http://www.missionstl.org/main-blog/an-affordable-christmas-story/ Wed, 23 Nov 2011 06:00:02 GMT In July 2008, I moved to St. Louis to start teaching in the city schools. By December, I had joined a Community Group with The Journey and was told that our group would be serving at Affordable Christmas. (I had no idea what Affordable Christmas ... http://www.missionstl.org/main-blog/the-positive-effects-of-morning-reading/ http://www.missionstl.org/main-blog/the-positive-effects-of-morning-reading/ Wed, 16 Nov 2011 15:37:47 GMT Morning Reading is a program where volunteers come together once, twice, or even three times a week to three St. Louis Public Schools and read and interact with a group of children before school. At first I was unsure of what to expect from this ... http://www.missionstl.org/main-blog/a-hope-for-hamilton-heights/ http://www.missionstl.org/main-blog/a-hope-for-hamilton-heights/ Wed, 09 Nov 2011 15:29:16 GMT Hamilton Heights is a small neighborhood bound by MLK Drive to the northeast, the City limits to the northwest, Page Avenue to the south, and Union Boulevard to the east. Unfortunately, it is a part of St. Louis unfamiliar to most. Throughout ... http://www.missionstl.org/main-blog/4th-annual-night-for-the-town/ http://www.missionstl.org/main-blog/4th-annual-night-for-the-town/ Wed, 02 Nov 2011 16:20:00 GMT On October 15th, Mission: St. Louis hosted its annual fundraiser, Night for the Town. Now in its fourth year, the event was held at Grand Center's Moto Museum and once again provided a wide variety of silent auction items, great food, and ... http://www.missionstl.org/main-blog/fall-back/ http://www.missionstl.org/main-blog/fall-back/ Thu, 27 Oct 2011 13:46:38 GMT Fall is a busy time at Mission: St. Louis. Our annual fundraiser, Night for the Town, was held on October 15th at the Moto Museum and was a smashing success. Our Empower Sports Camp for the Roosevelt Basketball team occurred last week. Jobs for ... http://www.missionstl.org/main-blog/jobs-for-life-a-blessing/ http://www.missionstl.org/main-blog/jobs-for-life-a-blessing/ Wed, 12 Oct 2011 14:00:54 GMT We are halfway through our fall Jobs for Life session and things have never been better. It's awesome to see this group of men ages 18-61 working together, learning how to handle conflicts, opening up about their weaknesses, demonstrating their ... http://www.missionstl.org/main-blog/night-for-the-town-four-years-later/ http://www.missionstl.org/main-blog/night-for-the-town-four-years-later/ Wed, 05 Oct 2011 14:37:36 GMT Just over four years ago, I responded to a call for marketing and special events experts at my church. I showed up at a meeting a few weeks later. I quickly fell in love with the mission that the organization was adamantly pursuing. A month or ... http://www.missionstl.org/main-blog/residents-volunteers-a-necessary-relationships/ http://www.missionstl.org/main-blog/residents-volunteers-a-necessary-relationships/ Wed, 21 Sep 2011 14:19:13 GMT When Mission: St. Louis originally opened its doors, wide was the scope the leadership team aimed to tackle poverty and injustice in the city of St. Louis. As time elapsed, we started to narrow the focus of our longitudinal reach as well as the ... http://www.missionstl.org/main-blog/open-position-neighborhood-engagement-vista/ http://www.missionstl.org/main-blog/open-position-neighborhood-engagement-vista/ Fri, 16 Sep 2011 21:36:28 GMT As the Neighborhood Engagement VISTA (Volunteer in Service to America), you'll be tasked with getting to know the people that live in the urban neighborhood we serve. To do that, you'll knock on doors, making sure they know that we're here and ... http://www.missionstl.org/main-blog/open-position-community-relations-vista/ http://www.missionstl.org/main-blog/open-position-community-relations-vista/ Fri, 16 Sep 2011 19:11:11 GMT As the Community Relations VISTA (Volunteer in Service to America), you'll help ensure that our programs have everything they need to make a huge impact. You'll write grant proposals. You'll find out which businesses in St. Louis support their ... http://www.missionstl.org/main-blog/words-from-the-front-desk/ http://www.missionstl.org/main-blog/words-from-the-front-desk/ Wed, 14 Sep 2011 14:11:51 GMT I've been working at Mission: St. Louis for nine months now as the Community Loop Assistant. As part of my duties, I sit at the front desk and greet people who come into the office. I enjoy meeting and talking to people of all different ... http://www.missionstl.org/main-blog/what-is-mission-st-louis/ http://www.missionstl.org/main-blog/what-is-mission-st-louis/ Thu, 08 Sep 2011 18:22:21 GMT What is Mission: St. Louis? It is often difficult to give a simple answer to this question. A good start is to ask what it would look like to believe that the power of the Gospel transforms our lives and our city. A good follow up is to try and ... http://www.missionstl.org/main-blog/to-india-and-back/ http://www.missionstl.org/main-blog/to-india-and-back/ Wed, 07 Sep 2011 14:44:20 GMT This summer, I had the opportunity to spend 10 days teaching fourth graders in Hyderabad, India. I'd originally travelled to India to take a public health course but had been given the opportunity to work with a missions organization called ... http://www.missionstl.org/main-blog/now-recruiting-for-2-americorpsvista-positions/ http://www.missionstl.org/main-blog/now-recruiting-for-2-americorpsvista-positions/ Thu, 01 Sep 2011 18:26:37 GMT Mission: St. Louis is looking for two dedicated individuals to serve as AmeriCorps*VISTAs for one year. Positions available are for an Events VISTA and a Volunteer Development VISTA. For the Events VISTA job posting, please see our blog from ... http://www.missionstl.org/main-blog/a-story-of-renewed-faith-friendship/ http://www.missionstl.org/main-blog/a-story-of-renewed-faith-friendship/ Wed, 31 Aug 2011 20:02:36 GMT If you've ever had the chance to meet Maurice Banks, within minutes you're sure to hear about a man that means the world to him, his best friend, Jim Thayer. Four years ago this month, Jim and Maurice met and began an unlikely friendship which ... http://www.missionstl.org/main-blog/accept-the-challenge-serve-your-country-join-our-team/ http://www.missionstl.org/main-blog/accept-the-challenge-serve-your-country-join-our-team/ Wed, 24 Aug 2011 19:53:22 GMT Wanted: One dedicated individual to serve as an AmeriCorps*VISTA for one year. This person will be the Mission: St. Louis Events VISTA. We have high standards for this position, but we believe there will be a great payoff for this person as ... http://www.missionstl.org/main-blog/night-for-the-town-we-need-you/ http://www.missionstl.org/main-blog/night-for-the-town-we-need-you/ Mon, 22 Aug 2011 20:02:14 GMT WE NEED YOU! Night for the Town is once again upon us. We are gearing up for another great party celebrating the past year of Mission: St. Louis and our efforts to transform the city. We will be holding the event on October 15 at The Moto ... http://www.missionstl.org/main-blog/the-pruitt-igoe-myth/ http://www.missionstl.org/main-blog/the-pruitt-igoe-myth/ Wed, 17 Aug 2011 13:09:18 GMT On Sunday, August 7th, we hosted a screening of the documentary film, "The Pruitt-Igoe Myth." It is a fascinating film about the story of St. Louis, its history and decline, and lessons learned regarding public housing in our city. Though the ... http://www.missionstl.org/main-blog/countdown-in-forest-park-southeast-population-loss-doesnt-mean-neighborhood-is-crumbling/ http://www.missionstl.org/main-blog/countdown-in-forest-park-southeast-population-loss-doesnt-mean-neighborhood-is-crumbling/ Mon, 15 Aug 2011 16:19:08 GMT The Mission: St. Louis model began in Forest Park Southeast (FPSE), at Adams Elementary School. Our time in Adams has produced many stories of what has been taking place in the community. FPSE has been undergoing massive change for the last ... http://www.missionstl.org/main-blog/its-all-about-love/ http://www.missionstl.org/main-blog/its-all-about-love/ Wed, 10 Aug 2011 17:09:48 GMT Community Loop has had its most amazing and productive summer yet. I believe it has everything to do with love. There are many ways you can love people, and it is often difficult to know if you have loved someone well. Sometimes after you have ... http://www.missionstl.org/main-blog/does-it-have-to-be-you/ http://www.missionstl.org/main-blog/does-it-have-to-be-you/ Wed, 03 Aug 2011 16:16:52 GMT "It's not that I don't want those kids to have help...I just don't understand why it has to be you." That was my Mom's response six years ago as I prepared for my first trip to the Lou. I had signed up for my college's spring break trip to ... http://www.missionstl.org/main-blog/education-a-vision-of-transformation/ http://www.missionstl.org/main-blog/education-a-vision-of-transformation/ Thu, 28 Jul 2011 17:10:39 GMT There is more than one reason "education" is among the three core values firmly held by Mission: St. Louis. Emily Whitworth, Director of Education, can rattle off statistics that she knows first hand from her previous teaching experience in St. ... http://www.missionstl.org/main-blog/end-of-summer-beginning-of-fall/ http://www.missionstl.org/main-blog/end-of-summer-beginning-of-fall/ Wed, 27 Jul 2011 15:55:48 GMT We are looking to wrap up the summer well and hit the ground running towards fall! We wanted to let you know about all the opportunities you have to serve with us. We have ongoing opportunities and one time events. Ongoing Volunteer ... http://www.missionstl.org/main-blog/a-calling-to-mission-st-louis/ http://www.missionstl.org/main-blog/a-calling-to-mission-st-louis/ Wed, 20 Jul 2011 13:42:33 GMT Kathryn Sternberg is one of our interns and will be with us until December 2011. I came to learn about Mission: St. Louis through a larger database of endless practicum opportunities, but the thing that really drew me to this organization was ... http://www.missionstl.org/main-blog/opportunities-abound/ http://www.missionstl.org/main-blog/opportunities-abound/ Wed, 13 Jul 2011 14:55:25 GMT My last blog was all about how I loved Morning Reading and getting to know the two girls I worked with twice a week. Since school let out for the summer and Morning Reading is not in session, I have started to build relationships with some of ... http://www.missionstl.org/main-blog/neighborhood-suffers-tragic-loss-remains-hopeful/ http://www.missionstl.org/main-blog/neighborhood-suffers-tragic-loss-remains-hopeful/ Wed, 06 Jul 2011 06:00:02 GMT Check out our July newsletter here. During the month of June, the Forest Park Southeast neighborhood suffered the loss of two community members, J'Nylah Douglas, age 7, and Pastor Mike Seagle, age 54. Local news stations covered the facts: ... http://www.missionstl.org/main-blog/partnering-with-mission-st-louis/ http://www.missionstl.org/main-blog/partnering-with-mission-st-louis/ Wed, 29 Jun 2011 14:22:05 GMT I moved to St. Louis three years ago with a group of people wanting to start a new church downtown. Some of us had been preparing to do this for many months, others had been preparing for years. The idea of starting a new church is a scary one, ... http://www.missionstl.org/main-blog/my-first-year-at-mission-st-louis/ http://www.missionstl.org/main-blog/my-first-year-at-mission-st-louis/ Wed, 22 Jun 2011 21:47:53 GMT It has been almost a year since I started working at Mission: St. Louis and things have never been better (or more intense)! After getting a job here I moved into one of the neighborhoods in which the organization serves. My experiences over ... http://www.missionstl.org/main-blog/investing-in-the-city-investing-in-people/ http://www.missionstl.org/main-blog/investing-in-the-city-investing-in-people/ Wed, 15 Jun 2011 21:46:55 GMT Recently across the globe, a belief has arisen among economists, scientists, and business leaders: the poor can be economically empowered to alleviate poverty. In fact, all over the globe organizations helping the working poor lift themselves ... http://www.missionstl.org/main-blog/a-little-gets-a-lot/ http://www.missionstl.org/main-blog/a-little-gets-a-lot/ Wed, 08 Jun 2011 23:05:09 GMT My first exposure to Mission: St. Louis was through The Journey. There was a mention about the organization during a Saturday evening service. That mention was enough to pique my interest, so I turned to a friend sitting near me. He was ... http://www.missionstl.org/main-blog/3rd-annual-fpse-sports-camp/ http://www.missionstl.org/main-blog/3rd-annual-fpse-sports-camp/ Wed, 01 Jun 2011 15:19:40 GMT Check out our full June newsletter! During the summer, one small section of the Forest Park Southeast neighborhood - McRee Town - is transformed into something magical every Tuesday night. A few empty lots become a playground and block party ... http://www.missionstl.org/main-blog/reinvented/ http://www.missionstl.org/main-blog/reinvented/ Wed, 25 May 2011 14:33:53 GMT As a native of St. Louis, I've held many jobs throughout my life. My main job for, oh, about 20 years was as an accountant and auditor (not a CPA) before you had to be certified to do that sort of thing. I started as a file clerk but I was ... http://www.missionstl.org/main-blog/vote-for-mission-st-louis-today/ http://www.missionstl.org/main-blog/vote-for-mission-st-louis-today/ Wed, 18 May 2011 21:17:29 GMT "Yes, ma'am, we'd love to do that home repair for you, and we have donated materials, so it won't cost you a thing. Let me see if I can fit them in my Camry to bring them to you..." This conversation could be heard on any given day at the ... http://www.missionstl.org/main-blog/the-fence/ http://www.missionstl.org/main-blog/the-fence/ Thu, 12 May 2011 17:18:21 GMT Josh Wilson is the founder and Executive Director of Mission: St. Louis. As many of you already know, we recently moved our office into the Forest Park Southeast neighborhood. To say we are excited to be in the neighborhood (and into new ... http://www.missionstl.org/main-blog/creating-relationships-through-community/ http://www.missionstl.org/main-blog/creating-relationships-through-community/ Wed, 04 May 2011 18:34:27 GMT Josh Kamer is Mission: St. Louis's Community Loop Program Director.Community Loop just accomplished its sixth workday of the year. I would call it a vast success. We were able to walk into nine homes and serve thirty three people as well as ... http://www.missionstl.org/main-blog/christ--city-2011-a-call-to-renewal/ http://www.missionstl.org/main-blog/christ--city-2011-a-call-to-renewal/ Wed, 27 Apr 2011 17:16:00 GMT At 5:45am on Thursday, April 14, a contingent of Mission: St. Louis staff and interns, The Journey staff, and pastors from August Gate Church in Soulard gathered at Mission: St. Louis's new office in Forest Park Southeast. We were headed to ... http://www.missionstl.org/main-blog/just-show-up/ http://www.missionstl.org/main-blog/just-show-up/ Wed, 20 Apr 2011 17:13:28 GMT In my first year of teaching at Long Middle School in South City, I somehow got roped into coaching every sport. I coached flag football, basketball, and soccer for two years...and won 4 games...all by forfeit. (For those of you who aren't so ... http://www.missionstl.org/main-blog/st-louis-bank-loans-and-resulting-affects-on-the-community/ http://www.missionstl.org/main-blog/st-louis-bank-loans-and-resulting-affects-on-the-community/ Wed, 13 Apr 2011 17:09:55 GMT The United States has a black president. This shouldn't be surprising. President Obama was elected in 2008 and it's currently 2011. But, my point has less to do with our president's skin color and more to do with the relationship between ... http://www.missionstl.org/main-blog/job-training-program-highlighted-in-the-17th-ward-newsletter/ http://www.missionstl.org/main-blog/job-training-program-highlighted-in-the-17th-ward-newsletter/ Mon, 11 Apr 2011 17:08:50 GMT Darren Jackson, our Forest Park Southeast neighborhood/empowerment director, recently got Mission: St. Louis mentioned in the 17th Ward's blog newsletter. The blog post highlights M:StL's new job training program that kicks off on April 11. ... http://www.missionstl.org/main-blog/how-mstl-grows-and-succeeds/ http://www.missionstl.org/main-blog/how-mstl-grows-and-succeeds/ Wed, 06 Apr 2011 17:06:52 GMT As a student intern at Mission: St. Louis, I have had the opportunity to see how people in this organization work to empower the community. Although Mission: St. Louis has a size of only about 10 staff members, I'm amazed to see how broadly ... http://www.missionstl.org/main-blog/empowering-roosevelt-students-in-sports-in-life/ http://www.missionstl.org/main-blog/empowering-roosevelt-students-in-sports-in-life/ Wed, 30 Mar 2011 17:05:34 GMT For one week, 20 Roosevelt High School baseball players and four Mission: St. Louis volunteers came together for the Empower Baseball Camp. The purpose of the camp was to build a relationship between Roosevelt and Mission: St. Louis and to ... http://www.missionstl.org/main-blog/morning-reading-a-staff-members-perspective/ http://www.missionstl.org/main-blog/morning-reading-a-staff-members-perspective/ Wed, 23 Mar 2011 17:03:56 GMT As of this coming Friday, I will have worked at Mission: St. Louis for exactly one month. I'm the newest full-time addition to the M:StL staff and am participating in the AmeriCorps VISTA (Volunteers in Service to America) program. I was ... http://www.missionstl.org/main-blog/community-loop-workday-march-6/ http://www.missionstl.org/main-blog/community-loop-workday-march-6/ Fri, 18 Mar 2011 17:01:02 GMT On March 6, 2011, we had our most recent Community Loop Workday. We had a total of 104 volunteers who served at 10 homes and complete 56 projects. The types of projects ranged from installing drywall and painting to roof and window repair to ... http://www.missionstl.org/main-blog/new-office-space/ http://www.missionstl.org/main-blog/new-office-space/ Tue, 15 Mar 2011 16:53:10 GMT We have some GOOD NEWS! The first week of April we will be moving into our new office space in Forest Park Southeast. This is a move that we as an organization are extremely excited about. Forest Park Southeast is a place where we have ... http://www.missionstl.org/main-blog/the-most-typical-person-in-the-world/ http://www.missionstl.org/main-blog/the-most-typical-person-in-the-world/ Mon, 07 Mar 2011 16:50:09 GMT ... http://www.missionstl.org/main-blog/community-loop-restoring-faith-through-serving/ http://www.missionstl.org/main-blog/community-loop-restoring-faith-through-serving/ Mon, 28 Feb 2011 17:21:14 GMT My husband and I had, for some time, been wanting to plug in and start serving our city, but the timing always seemed to be wrong. We realized we had no excuse. Corporate America was getting the best of us - we weren't giving ourselves away ... http://www.missionstl.org/main-blog/what-can-we-do-about-gentrification/ http://www.missionstl.org/main-blog/what-can-we-do-about-gentrification/ Thu, 24 Feb 2011 16:16:40 GMT After reading the last three posts, you are more familiar with gentrification and its effects.  What can you do to help?  Keep reading!In the first post, we stated that gentrification is both good and bad.  That's true.  ... http://www.missionstl.org/main-blog/gentrification-in-hamilton-heights/ http://www.missionstl.org/main-blog/gentrification-in-hamilton-heights/ Sun, 20 Feb 2011 16:14:06 GMT The Hamilton Heights community has also been deeply entrenched in poverty.  Approximately 97% of the students in Ford Elementary School qualified for a free school lunch, which indicates the severity of poverty in the neighborhood.  ... http://www.missionstl.org/main-blog/gentrification-in-fpse/ http://www.missionstl.org/main-blog/gentrification-in-fpse/ Sat, 19 Feb 2011 16:11:48 GMT Mission: St. Louis has focused on the Forest Park Southeast (FPSE) community for the last 4 years, building relationships with the residents who live there.  FPSE has a poverty rate of 36%, which is 11% higher than the City of St. Louis ... http://www.missionstl.org/main-blog/what-is-gentrification/ http://www.missionstl.org/main-blog/what-is-gentrification/ Thu, 17 Feb 2011 16:09:27 GMT Mission:St. Louis has seen the dramatic impact of gentrification on the city of St. Louis.  We are devoting our next three blogs to this issue.  We will address what gentrification is, how it's affecting two urban St. Louis ...