Programs

WUMCRC has implemented a wide array of human and social services that continue to positively impact the entire Forest Park Southeast community. These include:

MERS/Goodwill Employment Assistance Program
Since 2002, WUMCRC has fully funded MERS/Goodwill to operate a full-time employment agency in Forest Park Southeast, specifically for Forest Park Southeast residents. Participants in the Forest Park Southeast employment program receive three weeks of training on how to be successful on the job. During the training course MERS/Goodwill works with residents on self-esteem and self-confidence, meeting the challenges of one’s personal life, being able to deal with the complexities of interpersonal relationships with co-workers and supervisors, as well as being able to perform the actual work tasks. In addition to job readiness training, the program makes available GED courses and skills training in order to assist participants who would like to climb the career ladder.

Once participants complete the three week training course, MERS/Goodwill employment specialists assist the participants with locating quality employment. While on the job, MERS/Goodwill staff track participants’ progress and assist them in overcoming barriers. Since the inception of the program, more than 250 Forest Park Southeast residents have completed the program and have located quality employment. Since 2006, Washington University School of Medicine and Barnes Jewish Hospital have hired 38 participants from the Forest Park Southeast MERS/Goodwill program.

Home Repair Assistance

Since 2004, WUMCRC has worked with Rebuilding Together St. Louis to target homes in the Forest Park Southeast neighborhood. Rebuilding Together, formerly Christmas in April, is a national organization that revitalizes neighborhoods in partnership with the community by rehabilitating the houses of low-income, elderly, and disabled homeowners, so that they may continue to live independently in comfort and safety.

In addition to assistance with the funding of the initiative, each year WUMCRC leads in recruiting new Forest Park Southeast homeowners and educating them about the application process. Annually, WUMCRC and Rebuilding Together target between 10-15 homes in Forest Park Southeast. In the fall and winter volunteers and contractors review applications and assess the home repairs that are needed on each home. Then on a scheduled Saturday in April, hundreds of volunteers embark onto Forest Park Southeast to work on a one day home repair blitz. Work typically includes plumbing, electrical, interior and exterior painting, landscaping, tuck pointing, guttering and roof repair.

Youth Programming

In 2001, WUMCRC funded the construction of the $6 million Adams Park Community Center. The center was established to further support positive after-school and summer programs for Forest Park Southeast youth. The state-of-the-art facility includes a computer lab, dance studio, weight room, teen center, full size gymnasium, and adjacent baseball field.

In order to further expand programming and services, in 2007 Herbert Hoover Boys and Girls Club was engaged to help direct the operations of the center. Herbert Hoover provides programming that covers five core areas: Character & Leadership Development; Education & Career Development; The Arts; Health & Life Skills; and Sports, Fitness & Recreation. Youth members of the Boys & Girls Club at Adams Park also have access to free eye care and dental services.

WUMCRC continues to support the operations of the center and is committed to offering Forest Park Southeast youth the most expansive and innovative programming available. To date WUMCRC has contributed more than $10 million to youth programming in Forest Park Southeast.

Other Programs Include
* Free Saturday health clinic

* Annual holiday outreach program that provides utility assistance, food, and gifts for senior citizen and needy households

* Senior Citizen Art Classes

* Walking Club