Past Programs
Make a Difference in Someone’s Life: Be a Mentor
In the January program Stephanie McCreary, chief purpose officer of Oasis Institute, educated us about the organization’s programs that match area seniors with two different mentoring youth opportunities.
Oasis mentoring involves, not academics, but becoming a role model, supporter, advocate and friend to a young person. It includes cultivating a healthy relationship that provides guidance, motivation and support for the mentee’s personal development.
Research shows that students with mentors have increased rates of school attendance and completion, increased confidence and self-esteem plus improved behavior and interpersonal skills. Prospective mentors receive training that covers cultural competency, setting realistic expectations and establishing appropriate boundaries – both physical and emotional.
The legacy program, Oasis Intergenerational Tutoring, pairs a senior with a student K-3 to work one-on-one to improve literacy skills including reading, speaking, listening and writing. An Oasis tutor creates a connection with the child that develops into a mentoring relationship.
Based in St Louis, the program is now active in 23 cities, with over 2700 tutors serving in 440+ schools. But the need is staggering. Two out of every 10 students in the US enter kindergarten with skills 2-3 years below their age level.
And students who start behind typically stay behind. By fourth grade, 34% of US students are below the proficient reading level. Those lagging learners make up the largest portion of school dropouts and have less than 12% likelihood of going on to higher education. But weekly sessions with a trained adult tutor can change that trajectory by building a child’s motivation, confidence and enjoyment of reading, writing and oral communication – the foundation of all learning.
The second, newer program is Oasis Grand Champions, launched here in St Louis and designed to support young people 14-18 who are in the foster care system and preparing to “age out” into independent living. This population represents another overwhelming need, with nearly 13,000 children and teens in foster care in Missouri alone.
A nationwide survey in 2024 found that only half of foster kids graduate from high school and only 5% go on for higher education. They are at increased risk for chronic illness, mental health disorders, behavioral issues and drug abuse.
The new Grand Champions program asks mentors for a 12-month commitment with the goal of helping students build life skills, confidence and self-esteem, resulting in improved behavior and more positive engagement with peers. Champions receive extensive training at the outset plus ongoing professional development sessions. A comprehensive set of materials includes workbooks, enrichment guides, activities and supplies.
The local launch has had such promising results that the Oasis chapter in Austin, TX, has already reached out to implement the same program for their volunteers and area young people.
Both Intergenerational Tutoring and Grand Champions are supported by Oasis staff at both the school district and national levels. Results are impressive:
- 97% of participating students achieved 2 or more levels of reading proficiency.
- 98% of tutors reported an added sense of purpose in their lives.
- The programs achieved an 87% level of tutor retention.
Those interested in learning more about becoming a tutor within these programs can contact Stephanie McCreary at smccreary@oasisnet.org or 314-687-1122.
Watch the recorded program here.
Silencing Gun Violence: A Community Collaboration
December 12, 2024
Jessica Meyers – director of the St Louis Area Violence Prevention Commission – spoke about the commission’s multi-faceted approach to reducing gun crimes and other forms of violence and supporting the recovery of both victims and perpetrators.
Their work is based in the philosophy that determinants of violence are multiple, complex, and interrelated. A successful strategy must include the participation of a broad group of individuals and a range of activities that link with, build upon, and add value to each other.
The commission is made up of 130+ agencies that address the 5 key social determinants of health: education, economic stability, health and healthcare, social and community and built environment.
Their first objective is to increase the number of individuals affected by non-fatal gun violence who access the available services. For example, the “Handle With Care” program enables police or first responders to notify schools when they encounter a youngster at a traumatic scene. That allows school counselors and mental health professionals to provide trauma-sensitive support right away. Rather than viewing a traumatized child as misbehaving and responding with punishment, that background knowledge lets adults understand the child’s struggles and respond with care and support.
The second objective is to increase the number of evidence-based, trauma informed programs that address root causes of violence. For example, extending the hours at 2 recreational centers and hosting events for at-risk youth during 2024 correlated with a 50% reduction in homicides and a 12.5% decrease in assaults within that population.
Jessica shared 4 specific ways that Women’s Voices members can help further these goals:
• Visit their website and review all the ways to participate as a group.
• Sign up for their mailing list for information about ad hoc working groups
• Consider hosting a youth event in St. Louis County for youth at highest risk of gun violence
• Share SLAVPC information within other groups in which you participate .
Speakers: Jessica Meyers, director, St. Louis Area Violence Prevention Commission
Meyers is the director of the St. Louis Area Violence Prevention Commission (VPC), a cross-sector collaborative with more than 75 member agencies. She just celebrated her 6th anniversary with VPC. Prior to her work with VPC, Jessica worked for 14 years doing direct services with victims of violence. For the last 10 years of that, she worked predominantly with murder victims’ families and friends. Jessica holds a masters of public administration from Saint Louis University. She is a proud policy wonk and data nerd.
Justin Mosley, project director, St. Louis Area Violence Prevention Commission
Mosley joined Mental Health Board (MHB) in 2024 as a project director for the Violence Prevention Commission. Previously at Youth In Need he managed the National SafePlace program’s Eastern Missouri division. He e used his public platform with Safe Place to build relationships with service providers and raise awareness through media appearances. He was previously involved in higher education, working financial services, enrollment management, and athletic departments with Washington University, Logan University and Harris-Stowe. A renaissance man, he also served in Mass Transit Operations Management with the Bi-State Development Agency.
Wash U Owes U: Payments in Lieu of Taxes
November 14, 2024
At the November Women’s Voices program, Blue Ehrenstrom, a 2021 Wash U graduate, joined a SLPS PAC member and district parent to share information outlining the necessity of the work being done by the SLPS PAC to financially strengthen local schools.
St. Louis Public Schools, like all public schools, mainly relies on property taxes to fund their operations and to educate local children. However, tax-exempt institutions such as universities and hospitals are not required to pay those taxes which support nearby school systems. In many other cities, universities with large endowment funds have agreed to participate in a Payments In Lieu of Taxes (PILOT) program in which they contribute a very small percentage of this endowed money to their local school districts.
Washington University, on the other hand, which currently has an endowment worth $14 BILLION, contributes zero dollars in PILOTs payments! This is despite the fact that the SLPSystem continues to face a funding crisis. The St. Louis Public Schools Parent Action Council (SLPS PAC) is working to change that by organizing the community to pressure WU to contribute their fair share (approximately 0.001% of the endowment).
Learn more about SLPS PAC here.
Community members can take action by asking Andrew Martin, chancellor of Wash U, to contribute approximately 0.001% of Wash U’s endowment to the PILOTs fund for St. Louis public schools.
Project 2025: What It Is & Why It Matters
October 10, 2024
You’ve undoubtedly heard about Project 2025. It’s a well-funded effort by the Heritage Foundation and 100+ partner organizations to attack overtime pay and student loan programs, dismantle the social safety net, decimate reproductive rights, undermine our economy and reshape the way our society operates. It would roll back civil rights protections on multiple fronts, eliminating DEI programs and slashing LGBTQ+ rights in health care, education, and workplaces.
Kirill Kondratyuk, a 10th-grade student with a unique international background, joined us to share his research on the threats posed by Project 2025.
Born in Crimea, Ukraine in 2009, his life took an unexpected turn in 2014 when Russia occupied his homeland. His family made the difficult decision to leave everything behind and relocate to the United States.
After completing first grade in Crimea, Kondratyuk arrived in the US in 2016. Since then, he has embraced his new life and education in America, while never forgetting his roots. His journey has sparked a deep passion for history, geography, and political science. These subjects aren’t just academic interests for him– they’re intimately connected to his personal experiences and the global events that have shaped his life. Kondratyuk is committed to using his voice and experiences to contribute to positive change and he looks forward to this opportunity that will allow him to engage with important social and political issues, combining his personal background with his academic interests.
Vote Smart: Navigating the November Ballot
September 12, 2024
With critical elected offices and amendments on the November ballot, Missouri voters will have the opportunity to impact the lives of state residents for years to come.
Representatives from the Missouri Voter Protection Coalition, Missourians for Constitutional Freedom, and Missourians for Health Families and Fair Wages spoke about protecting our voting rights, clarified questions regarding important ballot measures and provided updates on the status of current court challenges.
Speakers:
Denise Lieberman, director and general counsel at Missouri Voter Protection Coalition
M’Evie Mead, director of strategic partnerships Missourians for Healthy Families & Fair Wages
Maggie Olivia, senior manager of public policy at Abortion Action Missouri
