For 50 years, the nonprofit Community Action Agency of St. Louis County has been working to end poverty. Its mission is the direct result of the “War on Poverty” launched by President Lyndon B. Johnson in 1964. On Thursday, October 11, the agency held its 50th Anniversary Celebration “Doors of Opportunity.”
“The troubling effects of socioeconomic and health challenges in our society leave many in a broken state,” said Cenia D. Bosman, the agency’s president and CEO. “CAASTLC serves to inspire and provide a hand up for our customers, while addressing basic needs and building capacity to ensure that we are here for those who need us.”
About 15 million children in the United States – 21 percent of all children – live in families with incomes below the federal poverty threshold. And 43 percent of children live in low-income families.
What does it mean to be “poor” in this country? According to federal guidelines, it means that a household with four children is subsisting on an income of $25,100 or less. To be categorized as low income, that family of four survives on an income of $50,200 or less.
However, researchers have found that this income amount does not cover basic living expenses.
CAASTLC serves more than 40,000 low-income people annually in programs that focus on family and economic security, housing and energy, health and nutrition, and community outreach.
“CAASTLC is more commonly known for its support to families seeking energy assistance and weatherization, but there is so much more,” Bosman said. “All services are case-management based, which allows our case managers to get to the root of many of the customers’ needs and allows the agency to bundle services to help customers as they transition through their difficult circumstances.”
At the agency’s 50th anniversary celebration, Bosman said reflections from Rev. Starsky Wilson, president and CEO of Deaconess Foundation, and Art McCoy, superintendent of Jennings School District, brought home the importance and value of the agency’s work with low-income and low-wage earners in St. Louis County, Bosman said.
Over the past 50 years, the agency has helped 1.7 million individuals and families with low incomes achieve emergency assistance; 1.1 million vulnerable individuals with low incomes secure or maintain an independent living situation; nearly 500,000 participants reduce or eliminate barriers to employment through employment initiatives; and 370,000 children and families with low incomes achieved an increase in financial assets and financial skills by participating in the financial education classes.
The agency is now entering the next phase of helping the families and communities of St. Louis County prevent the conditions of poverty for present and future generations, Bosman said.
“We will be expanding services in North County, dig deeper into addressing needs and helping our customers find solutions for fighting poverty,” Bosman said.
The agency’s newest service is the Community Loan Center of St. Louis County, an employer-based, small dollar loan program designed to provide individuals an affordable alternative to predatory lending.
“So many prey upon the impoverished under the guise of ‘we’re here to help’ that it’s important to CAASTLC to do what we can to protect and assist those we serve,” said Rose Eichelberger, CAASTLC board chair. “We continually re-invest in building innovative and comprehensive programs that respond to real-time needs.”
CAASTLC will continue to provide this service through partnerships with participating employers, in St. Louis city and county, who want to enhance their benefits portfolio for their employees, Bosman said. For more information on the loan center, go to www.clcstlc.org.
And through the direction outlined in the agency’s new Strategic Plan, they will enhance their signature programs, including Comprehensive Case Management Services, Prisoner Re-Entry and REALL-Youth-Based Reality Enrichment and Life Lessons, Energy Assistance and Weatherization programs.
“Our fight continues in the War on Poverty, and we look forward to serving our community another 50 years,” Bosman said.
To learn more about CAASTLC services, how to donate, and volunteer, contact www.caastlc.org or call 314-863-0015.
