Organization
LOVEtheLOU was formed in 2009 out of the very simple idea of bringing people together with the common desire to meet urban needs and has partnered with local churches and nonprofits to beautify and unify St. Louis City, particularly the area of North City that centers on the Enright Community Gardens.
Today, LOVEtheLOU hosts three key programs:
- STL|LIFT, a 4-year mentoring program for young people that includes spiritual development, leadership training, and practical skills attainment.
- STL|LIVE, a low-cost housing program on North St. Louis, sponsored by area churches. Homes and apartment buildings are renovated by LOVEtheLOU volunteers, and residents or qualified missionaries work to build cohesive community.
- STL|LINK, a new program to provide local entrepreneurs with the resources needed to become successful. This program is in its infancy and will eventually provide career path opportunities to graduates of the STL|LIFT program and others living in the area.
Partnership #1 (2015)
LOVEtheLOU is working to expand its mentoring program and increase access to youth employment through social enterprise. The Brown Sisters issued a challenge grant to engage new donors to help expand the mentoring program, with a simultaneous investment in capacity building to increase the effectiveness of their development team.
Partnership #2 (2018)
Through a new partnership with St. Louis area congregations, the agency is launching a new program to raise up and support North St. Louis City community members for Gospel-centered neighborhood restoration. The first project is rehabbing a house in which a neighborhood leader will live, be equipped, and ultimately become a beacon of hope for neighbors through developing community relationships, establishing neighborhood watch programs, and opening their homes to neighbors for fellowship. If successful, the model will be replicated on additional blocks. Brown Sisters Foundation provided a challenge grant to raise funding from new and existing donors to position this new project for success.
Partnership #3 (2020)
To-date, LOVEtheLOU has operated without office or programming space and is now seeking to acquire and renovate a building in North St. Louis City. The building will become an Enrichment Center that will both stabilize and invest in the immediate community, as well as meet LOVEtheLOU’s organizational needs. LOVEtheLOU plans to house all of its current programs at the Enrichment Center and hopes to grow into the space over the next 10 years with expanded programming offerings to include emergency housing, a gymnasium, and other community resources. The Brown Sisters Foundation provided a challenge grant to attract new and increased donations to LOVEtheLOU’s capital campaign as it invests even more deeply in its community.
Partnership #4 (2022)
LOVEtheLOU acquired a building in North St. Louis City to serve as its Enrichment Center that will both stabilize and invest in the immediate community, as well as meet LOVEtheLOU’s organizational needs. The Brown Sisters Foundation issued a challenge grant to support LOVEtheLOU’s capital campaign as it continues to renovate this building, plant roots and serve the residents of North St. Louis City.
Partnership #5 (2024)
LOVEtheLOU is launching a Capital Campaign that will create an Enrichment Jobs Center as the next part of their Resource Hub, serving as part of a solution for career pathways for North St. Louis City neighbors. The 3-story Enrichment Center will feature grocery and banking services on the ground floor, as well as several entrepreneurial brick and mortar businesses. The second floor will feature 10 enrichment rooms that will make up a new, revamped Skills Center, which include woodworking, small engine, small business, art, recording studio, makerspace, large kitchen, and indoor gardening. The third floor will house staff and key collaborators as a “work and live” model for their work. LOVEtheLOU will leverage partnerships with other community organizations, so they aren’t duplicating services, but providing a central space for everyone to come together under one roof to provide comprehensive services.