Make a Difference Programing on HEC

    Bringing Free Libraries to the Community: St. Louis Promise Zone

    The St. Louis Promise Zone has partnered with the St. Louis County Library to provide 50 community library boxes all around the Promise Zone in north St. Louis County. Their aim is to increase literacy and readership and strengthen education outcomes in high poverty communities. The stencil design for the boxes was created by local African-American artist, Cbabi Bayoc, in hope of empowering and inspiring children the community. In partnership with the residents of the Promise Zone, the program allows volunteers to paint the boxes themselves. Learn more about the St. Louis Promise Zone at https://stlpartnership.com/promisezone.

    Baby Cuddlers Help Drug-Exposed Babies

    A St. Louis-based hospital is expanding its new ‘baby cuddlers’ program as the need for support for drug-exposed babies grows. SSM St. Mary’s Hospital already has a unique program that helps pregnant women who’ve taken drugs. That relationship means many of those women deliver their babies at St. Mary’s. Growing research supports greater human touch rather than drugs to help drug-exposed babies. Volunteer baby cuddlers go through training and then help as a back-up for parents, nurses and other medical providers.

    We Stories, Raising Big Hearted Kids

    We Stories utilizes the power of children’s literature to create conversations about race and racism. By connecting families across our community, We Stories’ goal is to create a more inclusive community.

    Food Pantry For Pets

    It’s an organization created by two women who love animals. They knew food pantries for people existed when someone finds themselves in financial difficulties but what about their animals? They created the Bi-State Pet Food Pantry to fill the void. Their idea became a non-profit that now helps thousands of pets each year stay in their homes instead of being dropped off at shelters because their families can no longer afford them.

    Hope in the Baking

    Most bakers will tell you there’s an almost therapeutic aspect of turning simple ingredients like flour, water and butter into something satisfying. That’s certainly true at Bridge Bread Bakery where not only are delicious goods made, but hope is restored. We follow baker Daryl Pitchford along on a typical day in the bakery, learning his remarkable story, and taking a tour of Bridge Bread’s new location.