Guardian Angel Settlement Association
The first step on the path to possible
Programs and results
What we aim to solve
Guardian Angel serves individuals and families living in poverty in St. Louis City and County. The Social Services Department serves the residents of 63104 and 63118, two high-poverty zip codes in South City, and the Child Development Center draws children from low-income households throughout the St. Louis metro area. Most partners live below the federal poverty line. More than half of the households served by the Social Services Department, for example, have an income of less than $10,000 per year. Many partners are either unemployed or underemployed. Inter-generational poverty is a major problem among those served by Guardian Angel. Children from low-income households start school far behind their more affluent peers – and this disparity only widens as they grow up and enter adulthood.
Our programs
What are the organization's current programs, how do they measure success, and who do the programs serve?
Early Childhood Education
Guardian Angel Settlement Association operates a fully accredited childcare center. The childcare program utilizes a developmental curriculum for children from six weeks through 5 years of age who are from low- or non-income families in the City of St. Louis. Children receive two nutritious meals and a snack every day. The program provides a balanced approach to learning. In Guardian Angel's care, children have fun as they develop socially, emotionally, physically, and intellectually. Teachers provide children with the tools to become confident and self-aware. In a caring and stimulating atmosphere, children have the opportunity to grow, learn, and imagine.
Social Services
Guardian Angel’s Social Service Program addresses the needs of low-income households. Services include a client-choice food pantry; emergency rent and utility assistance; case management; educational workshops and other self-sufficiency programming; and the Angel Boutique Resale Shop. Case workers meet with families and help them make a plan to improve their situation.
Additionally, Guardian Angel hosts two seasonal programs: The Christmas Program, which provides holiday meals and gifts to seniors; and the Back-To-School Program, which provides backpacks, school supplies and new shoes to nearly 600 children.
Where we work
External reviews
Our results
How does this organization measure their results? It's a hard question but an important one.
Number of people accessing the client-choice food pantry
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Economically disadvantaged people
Related Program
Social Services
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Holding steady
Number of low-income households who have received utilities assistance to keep the lights, heat and/or water on in their homes
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Economically disadvantaged people
Related Program
Social Services
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Increasing
Number of low-income households who have received rental/mortgage assistance in order to stay in their homes
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Economically disadvantaged people
Related Program
Social Services
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Increasing
Percentage of children who meet or exceed age-appropriate developmental milestones
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Infants and toddlers
Related Program
Early Childhood Education
Type of Metric
Outcome - describing the effects on people or issues
Direction of Success
Increasing
Number of students enrolled
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Related Program
Early Childhood Education
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Increasing
Goals & Strategy
Reports and documents
Download strategic planLearn about the organization's key goals, strategies, capabilities, and progress.
Charting impact
Four powerful questions that require reflection about what really matters - results.
What is the organization aiming to accomplish?
The mission of Guardian Angel is to serve people living in poverty by helping them improve the quality of their lives and achieve economic independence. We do so through a holistic approach to addressing poverty, one that includes both emergency services and self-sufficiency programming. We meet people where they are and recognize that everyone has distinct needs and abilities. It is not a one-size fits all approach. We strive to form real partnerships with those we serve. This means that we approach everyone we serve with dignity and respect. It also means that we have high expectations of our partners. We practice a “hand up, not a hand-out" philosophy. For example, all parents of children in the early childhood education program are required to work or attend school. Likewise, our partners at the Social Services Department are required to attend workshops on financial literacy, nutrition, and other topics.
What are the organization's key strategies for making this happen?
Guardian Angel combines emergency assistance with educational and self-sufficiency programming as a holistic approach to addressing poverty. We know that one without the other is simply inadequate. In combination, they help individuals and families achieve real change in their lives. Our emergency services includes a client-choice food pantry, and rent and utility assistance. Educational programming includes the early childhood education program - which serves infants, toddlers, and preschoolers - and also self-sufficiency workshops for adults on such topics as financial literacy, parenting skills, nutrition, stress management, tenant rights, and more. Case workers meet one-on-one with partners to work through a monthly budget, set and discuss goals, and make referrals to other resources and services.
What are the organization's capabilities for doing this?
Guardian Angel Settlement Association has been serving low-income individuals and families in St. Louis for nearly 160 years. Throughout the course of this long history, we have adapted numerous times to meet the shifting needs and challenges faced by the community while always staying true to our mission. Guardian Angel has the benefit of an educated, professional, and compassionate staff. Guardian Angel is a charter member of the United Way, having met or exceeded all quality standards associated with its work since 1933 and is an Early Head Start/Head Start partner in good standing. In 2009, Focus St. Louis awarded Guardian Angel a “What's Right With the Region" award for administering services that promote strong communities. We also enjoy considerable support from the community. St. Louisans devote thousands of volunteer hours annually and are equally generous in their financial support.
What have they accomplished so far and what's next?
In 2019, 36 preschoolers graduated from the Early Childhood Education program. All were assessed as kindergarten-ready – more than double the national average of 40%.
At the Social Services Department, the client-choice food pantry served 1,122 people (565 families) in 2019. Also last year, we provided emergency rental and utility assistance to 201 families. 415 participants attended at least one self-sufficiency workshop in 2019. Currently, two or three workshops are delivered each week. One of our major goals moving forward is to continue to expand the workshops and other sufficiency programming. While addressing basic needs will always be a significant component of Guardian Angel's work, we know that our self-sufficiency programming has the greatest potential to change lives in the long-term.
Financials
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Operations
The people, governance practices, and partners that make the organization tick.
Connect with nonprofit leaders
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Connect with nonprofit leaders
SubscribeBuild relationships with key people who manage and lead nonprofit organizations with GuideStar Pro. Try a low commitment monthly plan today.
- Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
- Access beautifully interactive analysis and comparison tools
- Compare nonprofit financials to similar organizations
Want to see how you can enhance your nonprofit research and unlock more insights? Learn More about GuideStar Pro.
Guardian Angel Settlement Association
Board of directorsas of 06/26/2023
Ms. Lynn Davis
RubinBrown
Ms. Amanda McClerren
Bayer
Organizational demographics
Who works and leads organizations that serve our diverse communities? Candid partnered with CHANGE Philanthropy on this demographic section.
Leadership
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