Mission:
“Our formal mission is to identify, develop, fund and deliver services to specific children and adults within the St. Louis community, and meet underfunded, necessary needs that aren’t being met elsewhere. Our goal is to find those niches where needs are not being met and may not be getting a lot of attention,” Kathy Reese, president of Assistance League St. Louis, says.
History:
“Last year, we served more than 50,000 individuals in the St. Louis community. I like to think of that as filling more than the standing-room-only section of Busch Stadium,” shares Reese. “It’s now our 29th year, and we continue to touch a lot of lives.”
Community Impact:
Assistance League addresses community needs through numerous, diverse programs. “We focus on key areas, including education,” Reese explains. “We service 27 area schools and approximately 6,000 children in Operation School Bell, which delivers age-appropriate books, socks, underwear and uniforms to school children. We provide athletic shoes and socks to 30 elementary schools, and serve 3,300 schoolchildren a year [through Steps to Success].” The organization found additional opportunities to aid kids whose families were experiencing a medical crisis. “We also provide teddy bears to emergency personnel through 26 agencies,” she adds.
As more community needs became evident, Assistance League built a program around situations of every nature. “Assistance League Outreach is a part of our organization where we respond immediately to community needs,” Reese comments. “Say there’s a flood in the area, or homeless people are moving into an apartment for the first time. We can provide, on a one-time basis, furniture and bedding. It gives us flexibility [to meet new needs as they arise].”
Reese feels particularly passionate about Project ROSE, a program serving four area women’s emergency shelters. “ROSE stands for ‘Raise Our Self-Esteem.’ ROSE allows us to support our ASK (Assault Survivor Kits) program which provides assault victims with clothing and personal care items” she shares. “Many of these women are homeless, and when they report, the police take their clothing. Sometimes, that’s all they have.”
She believes what sets Assistance League apart from other like-minded organizations is its participatory effect on members. “We perpetually look for opportunities to serve, and all of our volunteers are hands-on,” Reese says. “If we’re going to provide uniforms, we [are the ones] measuring the kids, putting them in new clothes and providing entertainment during the process. We are unique in that regard.”
What/When/Where:
12th Annual Authors Brunch
Sat., April 22, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
“Author John O’Leary, who wrote On Fire, is an inspirational speaker from St. Louis. His mom, also an author, is our second speaker,” Kathy Reese, president of Assistance League St. Louis, says. “John is nationally known, and we’re lucky to have him. It’s a terrific opportunity to start the day and live inspired.”
How to get involved: Event details, along with opportunities to donate and volunteer, can be found online at alstl.org or by calling 636-227-6200.
A VOLUNTEER’S PERSPECTIVE: Lynne Turley
Lynne Turley learned of Assistance League through her husband’s firm, which worked with the organization briefly, and was instantly drawn to its proactive environment. “We moved to Minneapolis for a few years, and I made a point to find a chapter there. As soon as I [learned] we were returning, I knew I wanted to get involved,” she says.
Turley not only found an assembly of women engaged in their communities but also gained valuable friendships. “It’s a group of diverse women, who are all hands-on,” she describes. “We’ve got a good process in place. Progress is made in an orderly way. The membership has an opportunity to learn what’s going on [in our communities], ask questions and give comments and thoughts.”
Following in this spirit, the Authors Brunch is set to inspire. “Look forward to a sellout crowd, wonderful speakers and great food,” Turley claims. “Everybody comes away being entertained and informed.” Turley has found numerous ways to stay involved in her community, through serving on the Friends board at the Saint Louis Art Museum and as a member of the P.E.O. Sisterhood to actively volunteering at STAGES St. Louis, where she is a board member.
Assistance League provides opportunities for people to serve in a capacity that suits them. “If you enjoy working with children, we provide shoes, uniforms and books. If you enjoy working on events, we have two [major] fundraising events. If you like working in retail, Fantastic Finds is a resale shop totally staffed by volunteers,” she says. “It’s a lot of fun and very fulfilling.”
