As we reflect on the past year, I am filled with gratitude and pride as I share the progress we’ve made in creating pathways toward self-sufficiency. Thanks to your unwavering support, we have achieved some remarkable milestones, and I am excited to update you on the impact we’ve had together.
Our Beyond School program has expanded, adding The Biome School and increasing the number of students we serve. This expansion has provided students with access to academic support, creative activities, and mentorship that encourages both personal growth and academic success.
Last year was the first year of our violence intervention program - SHOW ME PEACE. With SMP we’ve created a more comprehensive support system that addresses the root causes of violence and fosters healing in our community.
We’ve also made great strides in increasing our reach within the community. Our team has focused on fostering deep relationships with local organizations, schools, and residents, and as a result, we’ve seen an increase in community engagement, involvement, and trust in our work. This growth and change is all alongside the work of our core programs, Beyond Jobs, Beyond School, Beyond Justice and Home Repair.
I invite you to look through this impact report to see the progress we made in 2024.
Our impact in has spread across our city through hundreds of people, thousands of resources and repairs and countless memories shared.
See how this impact has changed lives in 2024.
7,416
Lives Changed
51,772
resources and services provided
1,558
people served directly through programs
$633,090
Value of resources provided
141
program participants
$16.35
average hourly wage
60
jobs or trainings attained
Beyond Jobs offers comprehensive job readiness, skilled trainings, employment opportunities and wrap-around support services. Program participants have access to resources and services like recruitment, transportation assistance, life skills classes, check-ins and rent/utility assistance. Participants can also receive resources and services from in our in-house partners, Enterprise Bank and Trust, Places for People and SLU Law Legal Clinic.
243
students served in the 2023-24 school year
92%
of regularly attending students maintained or increased their grades in reading, math and/or science
101
enrichment opportunities
Beyond School exists to make sure youth they are set up for success throughout high school and beyond. To do that, we partner with St. Louis Language Immersion Schools + Lafayette Prep Academy + Kairos Academies to help their students make exponential gains to get back on track.
394
homeowners received both minor or major home repairs
$5,764,240
worth of projects completed to make homes safer
2,956
repairs and replacements completed
Having a safe home allows older adults to stay in the neighborhoods they are transforming. Minor Home Repair and Healthy Home Construction Management make both minor to moderate and major home repairs in senior and people with disabilities’ homes to allow them to age safely in their homes.
186
served through beyond justice and show me peace
125
VIOLENCE INTERventions, REDUCING POSSIBLE FURTHER VIOLENCE IN OUR NEIGHBORHOODS
70%
have no new legal offenses since entering our programs
Reducing crime and violence increases community safety and builds trust and collaboration, while also reducing the stress and financial burdens of communities. Beyond Justice works with recently arrested participants in the city court system to reduce recidivism and provide social services. SHOW ME PEACE works to reduce violence in communities through conflict mediation, violence intervention and social services.
2,468
Donations from
937
donors in
28
States (+ Puerto Rico!)
2,034
children from
528
families served at Affordable Christmas
10,650
grocery items served to
588
households in
55
zip codes
Thousands of people walked through our doors and we have had the privilege of being part of their stories. Read a few of those stories here.
CORYLISS
Coryliss was awarded the Mission: St. Louis Participant of the Year award at the 2024 Night for the Town Gala.
Coryliss is a shining example of perseverance and success as a workforce development program participant. She initially joined Mission: St. Louis to bond with her daughter, who was also enrolled in the program. Despite facing significant personal challenges, including raising eight children and battling substance use, Coryliss remained steadfast. Her initial goal was to complete the program alongside her daughter; however, she continued her journey even after her daughter withdrew.
Coryliss's path through the program was fraught with difficulties, but her faithfulness, self-love and desire to improve her life kept her going. Just before completing the program, she achieved her dream job as a chef and secured gainful employment at Cooper's Hawk Winery and Restaurant. Additionally, she was able to find stable and safe housing. It has been a privilege to witness her journey and success.
“Something told me to trust Miss Tiffany, and I'm so glad I did. It was all because of her that I stuck it out. Mission: St. Louis gave me my life back. My life was no good before. Now I'm grateful. Mission: St. Louis made me fight for my life. Y'all gave me the foundation. And today I'm a boss.”
BLAKE
Blake was awarded Mission: St. Louis Student of the Year award at the 2024 Night for the Town Gala.
Blake has continued to grow academically and socially each year he is with us. Over the past year, he has gained significant confidence both with his academics and friendships. Initially quiet and unsure of himself, Blake has made lasting friendships with the most unlikely students he could personally relate to. Academically, he has worked hard to establish routines to finish his projects and focus areas.
Beyond School has given Blake the confidence to voice his opinions, explore his passions and tackle each academic challenge. Blake's attitude, perserverance and growth have made him a great representation of this award.
ANTHONY
By the age of 17, Anthony had been shot twice, shot his mother’s boyfriend, spent a year in jail, and became a father.
Like many in his neighborhood on the Southside of St. Louis, Anthony was surrounded by violence and faced the harsh realities of life from a young age. At just 13, he began selling drugs to put food on the table for his mom and siblings.
“Growing up was a challenge. It was like wearing a mask; you’re posing as someone else to live. Everyone around you is doing wrong.”
Despite these challenges, Anthony tried to make a better life for himself. He enrolled in Ranken Technical College and earned a certification in automotive light maintenance and repair before his high school graduation. However, he was pulled back in and continued his old behaviors of doing what he needed to survive.
Last year, he was shot four times. After his recovery, he was arrested and spent six months in jail. He knew then that he needed to change his life.
“I almost died over nothing; I went to jail because I was living wrong. It was a wakeup call. When I got out, I admitted I needed help. God showed me who I was, and I didn’t like it. I was being someone I wasn’t to survive, and I wanted to get back to who I truly am.”
Today, Anthony has found role models through SHOW ME PEACE who are showing him a new way to live. He has found a community that encourages him to heal from the trauma caused by growing up in poverty. Through SHOW ME PEACE he has access to essential resources like diapers, job leads and work clothes. He is also volunteering with SHOW ME PEACE to help others choose peace over violence. Anthony takes care of his seven children and is focused on creating a life for them free from the violence and poverty he grew up around.
We could not do this without the help of our boards - thank you!
Board of Directors
Suzie Andrews, Blake Exline, Daniel Hawthorne, Ben Holman, Tim Lafser, Leo MacDonald, Stephanie Rich, Michelle Rotherham, Brett Shelton, Ryan Smith, Lesa Steward, Frank Thurman, Josh Wilson
Advisory Council
Gary Dollar, Spencer Finney, Saint Fults, Erica Henderson, David Karandish, Dave Peacock, Travis Sheridan, Mark Thom and Sean Walsh
A special thank you to our sponsors!
Nonprofit and community partners, employers and sponsorS
Thank you for your generous support! Because of you, 2024 was a huge success and 2025 is off to a great start!
Mission: St. Louis is a proud partner of the United Way.
