Gratitude for a strong end to 2023
Investing in our region can take many different forms, as we saw during the last few weeks of 2023. Our organization experienced a significant increase in individual giving during the fourth quarter of 2023, and we felt all warm and fuzzy thanks to the Build-A-Bear Foundation’s donation of more than 800 teddy bears valued at over $16,000, They were distributed at the Holiday Friends gift pickup event and a special movie screening at the 24:1 Cinema.
On the individual side, we celebrated with the family of a 5-year-old boy who came home from the hospital for the holidays after a collaborative effort by local nonprofits and businesses to equip his home with the wheelchair ramp and other modifications he needed.
Below are more exciting updates from early 2024—and ways you can get involved with the transformations.
Once and for All Speaker Series Features Notable Developers March 14
St. Louis has benefitted from a flurry of investment and development over the last several years, particularly throughout the inner I-64 corridor.
While all this investment is greatly needed, there is a growing realization that we also must invest in the people and places that have historically been left behind for the St. Louis region to finally move forward. The question is—how do we invest more effectively to provide the real change our region needs?
Join panelists Chris Krehmeyer of Beyond Housing, Maxine Clark of Delmar DivINe, and Michael Woods of Dream Builders 4 Equity along with moderator Carol Daniel of Nine PBS at the Once and for All Speaker Series on Thursday morning, March 14, at the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center in Olivette.
> Reserve your seat
Breathing New Life into 114 Homes in North St. Louis County
In the 12 months since Beyond Housing acquired partial ownership and took over property management of the Stratford Commons apartments in Pine Lawn, the 114-unit complex’s trajectory is completely different.
Beyond Housing launched extensive improvement projects in partnership with the majority owner, the Housing Authority of St. Louis County. Through the collaboration of multiple Beyond Housing departments, volunteer groups, and external partners, units have been renovated, management oversight and security have been strengthened, expired leases have been cleared up, the grounds have been tidied, and all the residents—both existing and new—have completed intake interviews as part of Beyond Housing’s transformative service model.
“We’ve had some really moving stories of families coming into Stratford Commons,” said Senior Director of Housing Cory Dickens, whose department manages Beyond Housing’s 600-plus rental units.
> Read more$12 Million Project Underway to Bring 36 New Affordable Homes to Pagedale
General contractor Roanoke Construction and the rest of the team behind Pagedale Town Center Homes were so eager to start the $12 million project that they jumped into action as soon as the deal closed on Nov. 3.
The two-year leadup to the closing has been a testament to the resilience of Beyond Housing’s partners, who include Roanoke as well as Curtiss W. Byrne Architect LLC, David Mason + Associates for engineering, Midwest BankCentre providing federal and state equity, and BJC Healthcare as the permanent lender.
The target population for the rental residences includes families headed by single females and those who meet the HUD definition of homeless. Each of the 36 homes will be between 1,269 and 1,369 square feet and follow one of six plans.
> Read more
How a Commissary Kitchen Puts Compassion and Love First to Make a Healthier St. Louis
In this podcast episode from St. Louis Public Radio’s St. Louis on the Air, a participant in the culinary training program at Propel Kitchens in Pagedale describes her journey from single motherhood of a newborn in an unfamiliar city to a confident, competent future chef.
Propel Kitchens President and CEO Kisha Lee describes the program’s commitment to all facets of participants’ well-being. “Most of the people that come through our doors, we are their second chance, or maybe [for] some even their last chance,” Lee says.
> Listen nowCeltics, Chaminade Basketball Star Jayson Tatum Gives $1 Million to St. Louis Homeowners
As a child growing up in St. Louis, Jayson Tatum watched his mom struggle financially, sacrificing so he could pursue his dreams. In February, the five-time NBA All-Star announced that his Jayson Tatum Foundation had received a $1 million grant from the financial company SoFi to help homebuyers in St. Louis.
The gift will be used to help homebuyers make down payments as part of a program that supports single parents like Jessica Robinson, who rents a home in Pagedale from Beyond Housing.
“The fact that he recognizes that having resources to give folks a hand up, particularly when we talk about generational wealth building, it’s definitely fantastic,” said Beyond Housing President and CEO Chris Krehmeyer.
> Watch the news storyTo become familiar with more of Beyond Housing’s transformative work, we invite you to go on a personal tour with President and CEO Chris Krehmeyer. Fill out this interest form and someone from the development department will follow up shortly.
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