It’s been 125 years since a group of African-American women saw the need for an orphanage for black children in the St. Louis area.
Now the Annie Malone Children and Family Service Center continues to re-align its services to meet modern-day needs.
This spring and summer, the agency will host several events to celebrate its 125th anniversary, as well as the founding $10,000 contribution of the agency’s namesake, Annie Turbo-Malone, a prominent African-American businesswoman and Ville resident.
“We’re looking forward to this year and hope it will be a whirlwind,” said Annie Malone CEO Darryl L. Wise, who assumed the position in December 2012. “We’re hoping we can, of course, raise a lot of money so we can continue to provide the services to lay the foundation for another 125 years.”
He said the agency’s focus is to stabilize itself financially, create new resource streams and improve on the quality of its services and programs.
The agency operates on a $2.1 million annual budget. More than 40 percent of funding comes from public agencies, followed by around 25 percent from contributions and about 18 percent from the United Way of Greater St. Louis. Although the annual May Day Parade is synonymous with the organization, the agency is abundantly more.
“We’re more than a parade,” Wise said. “I talk with people all the time who say, ‘I didn’t know you did that.’ As we celebrate 125 years, I want people everywhere to understand that Annie Malone is alive and kicking.”
Celebration activities include:
– The stage play, The May Day Parade, at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 1 at Sumner High School, 4248 Cottage St.
– The Annie Malone May Day Parade on Sunday, May 19 in downtown St. Louis
– Homecoming Community Fair on Saturday, June 15 at Martin Luther King Drive and Sarah Street
– Soiree “125” Dinner Celebration on Friday, August 23.
The social service agency serves children and families throughout St. Louis city and county through its three locations: Administrative offices and parenting education, 2612 Annie Malone Dr.; the Crisis Intervention/Respite/Emergency and Emerson Academy, 5355 Page Blvd.; and the Transitional Living Program at 5341 Page Blvd.
Annie Malone now serves more than 600 children and families in residential care and in the crisis center and 1,000 teenagers through community-based programs.
At one time, children, 6 to 18, grew up living in the agency. Long-term residential care is no longer offered; now the agency offers more short-term, emergency residential stays ranging from 10 to 30 days.
“Today we are focusing on crisis prevention and intervention. Our main goal is to try to prevent abuse and neglect and impact youth homelessness,” Wise said.
“We provide crisis care services, so when parents experience those unforeseen circumstances, such as homelessness, no electricity, they can bring the children to us and we can provide a safe and secure environment while the parents address the needs they have.”
Tickets to the “May Day Parade Play” on May 1 are available. Contact: www.anniemalone.com, info@anniemalone125.com or 314-531-0120.
