LifeWise StL

The LifeWise StL Young Scholars (After School) Program provides an academically-focused environment conducive to homework help and supplemental educational curriculum/activities; a safe and supervised environment for children to engage in constructive activities; academic enrichment through a curriculum of best practices to prepare students to perform at grade level and above on state MAP tests; a healthy dinner and activities to improve students’ health and promote their physical growth; free transportation from school and to home if needed; a variety of activities based on students’ interests and strengths to enrich and empower them; individual and/or group therapy to those assessed as in need; one-on-one private tutoring through a partnership with the St. Louis Learning Disabilities Association to those assessed as in need; and professional development to staff to refine skill sets needed to implement curriculum, understand best practices and structure a learning environment.

LIfeWise StL became a Children’s Defense Fund Freedom Schools Program partner in 2016. The Freedom Schools Program seeks to build strong, literate and empowered children prepared to make a difference in themselves, their families, communities, nation and world today. By providing summer reading enrichment for children who might not otherwise have access to books, the program plays a much needed role in helping to curb summer learning loss and close achievement gaps.

The dynamic curriculum aligns with the Common Core Standards and includes science, technology, engineering and math activities. A 10:1 child-to-teacher ratio keeps the culturally relevant curriculum engaging.

The program is a servant leader incubator for two generations – the children served and the college students and recent graduates who teach and serve them. Training coordinated by the CDF Freedom Schools national office prepares the young adults to provide an enriching experience for the children they serve.

LifeWise Academy provides academic enrichment, social-emotional support, life skills and job readiness activities to teens during a critical period of development so that they are better prepared for a post-secondary institution and/or the workforce.

Academic support includes: academic classes; goal-setting; academic advising sessions; tutoring; and workshops on study skills.

Enrichment activities include: ACT test prep; college visits; community service; field trips; financial aid and scholarship application assistance; substance abuse education; and violence and pregnancy prevention workshops.

Life skills and job readiness includes: career exploration workshops; employment application assistance, employment skills training; financial literacy education; mock interviews; career advising sessions; and summer internship and employment opportunities.

Social-emotional support includes: empowerment programs; group and individual mental health sessions; and individualized support.

ESOL classes provide the opportunity for participants to work with trained teachers to grow their English language skills. Classes teach essentials of the language and help individuals improve in areas such as writing, speaking and reading comprehension. Participants are able to utilize these language skills at work, home and in the community. During class, participants also learn about St. Louis and American culture in a supportive environment. Program provided in collaboration with St. Louis Public Schools.

Through one-on-one coaching, financial education and access to credit and wealth building financial products​, members receive economic wellness services that provide the support needed to achieve their economic goals. Families, individuals and LifeWise StL employees are invited to attend financial education classes and meet privately with financial social workers and coaches to establish clearly defined goals and develop strategies to meet them.

Services include obtaining and reviewing credit reports; creating debt-reduction plans; accessing checking and savings accounts; organizing and understanding financial documents; designing a unique budget; and addressing the behaviors that prevent individuals from successfully reaching goals.

Our Health & Wellness Program offers exercise and nutrition classes geared towards those who don’t have access to a traditional gym or gym membership. We incorporate components of emotional health into our programming, including mindfulness, meditation, and other supplemental programs. This holistic approach helps participants to better understand the connection between emotional and physical health. Our Mental Health team offers emotional support in the form of therapeutic groups, support groups, one-on-one coaching, individual therapy, care coordination, social capital building, and collaboration with other programming. We provide therapy to the youth we serve from preschool through high school. We also provide one-on-one coaching for mothers who are feeling overwhelmed and burned-out, while helping them understand the connection between their wellness and that of their family. We also provide space for mothers to gather and seek mutual support through support and therapeutic groups.

The Senior Companion Program provides individuals who are 55 years of age or older and meet set program guidelines with meaningful volunteer opportunities in their community. Senior Companions receive a non-taxable hourly stipend and mileage reimbursement, which enables them to volunteer at no out-of-pocket expense. Companions receive 20 hours of training prior to their first assignment and additional training monthly. Medical or technical skills are not required.

Through home and community visits, Senior Companions help isolated and frail elderly adults maintain the highest possible level of independent living. Companions also provide short periods of relief to family caregivers, enabling them to take a break or run errands. Without this service, many individuals may not be able to continue living at home and may need more expensive and less personalized care.

The Senior Resiliency Fund is a four-part intervention for lower income older adults to gain access to valuable information and liquid assets for savings, and to grow relationships in the community.

Over a six-month period, participants engage in bi-weekly meetings with speakers on various topics including: productivity and goal-setting; physical, emotional and sexual wellness; elder financial abuse and scam avoidance; and conversations with family and friends about end-of-life planning.

They also participate in one-on-one financial coaching with our Certified Financial Social Worker to set individual savings goals, manage their budget on a fixed-income, credit repair or any other financial goal they have set for themselves.

At the end of the six-month period, participants who have successfully completed the above requirements for the program receive a 2 to 1 match on their savings goal (up to $400 for $200 saved) to use for the goal they set at the beginning of the program.

The Department of Volunteer Engagement and Service Learning connects individuals and groups with the St. Louis community through a variety of meaningful service opportunities and social justice education geared towards helping people to achieve better lives.

Our Urban Forum program provides professional guidance in social justice education through immersive service learning. Groups are given the the opportunity to serve within our early childhood, youth development and family development programs. Service projects are paired with curriculum designed to help participants gain a greater understanding of issues facing those who live in poverty and on the margins of society.

Our Traveling Reflection & Immersion Program allows our staff to come to your group. Programming ranges from a few hours to full day workshops geared towards facilitating dialogue in order that participants gain a better understanding of issues such as poverty, food insecurity, racism and educational disparities.