The Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis is gearing up for summer with two initiatives designed to improve public safety and bring neighborhoods together.
The Grills to Glory program has expanded to include more than 400 churches in the St. Louis area and Memphis, and the events will begin in late May and continue through the summer.
James Clark, vice president of Public Safety for the Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis, said the message from neighborhood residents is clear.
“We want to galvanize,” said Clark.
“We want to mobilize, and we need resources, and the best place to come to get resources is the neighborhood church.”
The Urban League estimates that over 100,000 area residents shared a hot dog and communication during Grill to Glory events, and Clark wants more area churches to become involved. It takes many hands to accomplish the mission, but churches must play a major role.
“Law enforcement plays a very important role,” Clark told Jeff Blumenthal of News 11.
“Our elected officials play a very important role, but we are being very intentional about how we can increase the activity and resource delivery through neighborhood churches to families that live in some of our more challenged neighborhoods.”
Kinloch safety initiative May 17
The Urban League, in collaboration with the Regional Business Council and a network of dedicated community stakeholders, will launch its Public Safety Upgrade Initiative in the City of Kinloch at 8 a.m. Saturday May 17, 2025, at City Hall, 5825 Martin Luther King Blvd.
This initiative is part of a year-long commitment to provide essential resources and foster impactful partnerships aimed at uplifting the Kinloch community.
Earlier this year, five major construction companies spearheaded a large-scale clean-up effort to enhance the city’s physical infrastructure. the next phase focuses on improving safety for local residents.
The Urban League, in partnership with The Home Depot, the American Red Cross, PARIC Construction Company, Local Laborers’ Union 42, IBEW Local 1 (Electricians Union), will install Ring Doorbells and smoke detectors in 80 homes across Kinloch. The staging area for this initiative will be Kinloch City Hall.
The Public Safety Upgrade Initiative is a data-driven strategy designed to improve safety in communities throughout St. Louis City, St. Louis County, and the Metro East region—areas experiencing high rates of crime and violence.
The Ring Doorbell, a proven deterrent to criminal activity and a vital tool for investigations, has been successfully deployed in nearby communities, including:
- Cahokia Heights – 56 Ring Doorbells Installed
- Glasgow Village – 75 Ring Doorbells Installed
- Wellston – 71 Ring Doorbells Installed
In addition to the installation of Ring Doorbells, the American Red Cross will deploy a specialized team to install smoke detectors in homes to further protect Kinloch residents from fire-related emergencies.
“Thanks to the generosity of The Home Depot, which donates Ring Doorbells each quarter, the Urban League can expand this vital program into additional neighborhoods in need,” said Urban League President and CEO Michael P. McMillan.
“We are proud to bring this innovative safety program to Kinloch. Through the support of our partners and the unwavering commitment of this community, we are taking meaningful steps toward creating safer, more resilient neighborhoods.”
Red Cross teams with Urban League
The American Red Cross of Greater St. Louis and Urban League offered two free disaster preparedness classes on May 15, 2025.
The Red Cross team presented “Be Red Cross Ready! for Severe Storms,” and Hands-Only CPR Training at the Urban League headquarters.
“Preparing for disasters and emergencies is an important part of keeping our families and communities safe and ready for unplanned events,” said LaKricia Cox, executive director, American Red Cross of Greater St. Louis.
“We are excited to work with community partners such as Urban League to promote preparedness within the St. Louis community.”
The severe storms presentation addressed the difference between watches and warnings and how to prepare for different weather events including floods, tornadoes and earthquakes.
The Red Cross Emergency app, which provides preparedness information as well as guidance for during and after a disaster, can be downloaded on Apple and Android devices.
Many people who survive a cardiac emergency are helped by a bystander. This presentation teaches individuals how to perform Hands-Only CPR and give lifesaving care which can help gain precious time for a person experiencing a cardiac event until professional responders arrive.
For more information about the Public Safety Upgrade Initiative or to get involved with Frills to Glory, contact the Urban League at (314) 337.3683 or visit www.ulstl.com.