Nearly ten years ago, a group of Urban Sprouts toddlers imagined a place of their own — a café where families could gather and children’s ideas mattered. On Thursday morning, that vision became reality as the early childhood center cut the ribbon on Café O Play, adding another layer to its growing campus in University City.
The milestone was on brand for the center known for its Reggio-inspired approach, where children’s ideas shape classrooms, curriculum and long-term vision. Since its founding in 2010, Urban Sprouts has grown into a two-generation model that supports children, families and educators through early learning, therapeutic services, family stabilization and teacher housing.
Urban Sprouts alum Gabby Woodrow opened the ceremony by introducing fellow alums — Cole Ballentine Dolby and Collete Stagner — who served as co-hosts. They welcomed Rev. Dr. Anthony L. Riley to deliver the invocation.
“We gathered once to break ground,” Riley said. “We gather now to open doors.” He prayed for a community “where the ideas of children matter… and where each and every child is valued,” thanking God for “your ambidextrous hand that at once has been on Ellicia’s heart, downloading dreams, and bringing together visionary partners and funders to build this place.”
University City Mayor Terry Crow said the opening reflects the next chapter of an organization that has long centered children and the adults who care for them.
“What I especially admire is that their vision does not end at the classroom door,” Crow said.
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He highlighted Urban Sprouts’ teacher housing initiative — part of its broader Good Soil expansion. Good Soil will connect families to resources like financial literacy and healthcare, while children receive therapeutic and special education services.
“When we strengthen the adult in the child’s life, we strengthen the child,” Crow said. “U. City is proud to have you here and have you expanding here.”
Urban Sprouts Founder and CEO Ellicia Lanier said Café O Play reflects the organization’s integrated, two-generation ecosystem. “One that leverages cross-sector partnerships, educator stabilization strategies and builds a more equitable continuum,” she said.
Her young co-hosts stepped in with what they called “kidsplaining.”
“I don’t mean to interrupt your cross-sector continuum or whatever,” Dolby said. “But Urban Sprouts is inspired by the Reggio approach — listening to and centering the ideas of children, right?”
He broke it down simply: “Make sure teachers have what they need to stay, grow and do their best without worrying about housing costs.”
“And how we will keep our kids and families well fed,” Stagner added.
The teens explained that Café O Play began when they were toddlers. “We saw our families going to coffee shops and wondered, ‘Why can’t we make a coffee shop of our own?’” Dolby said. They visited local cafés — especially inspired by the 24:1 Café in Pagedale — and created menus, blueprints, logos and plans.
COVID shifted their path. They helped launch a food program that served 3.2 million meals across the region. Café O Play now merges both ideas.
“During the day it will be a community café inspired by the dreams of our children,” Dolby said. “And in the evening, it will make sure families and kids have good food to eat through our food abundance program.”
The expansion also includes more space for children to learn and play, and Urban Sprouts’ new teacher housing program. “Great teachers need safe, stable places to live and the support to keep doing the work they love,” Dolby said.
“When we cut this ribbon today, we are not just opening new buildings,” the co-hosts said. “We are opening new doors for children, new support for families and possibilities for teachers — in a place built by the dreams of children and the needs of our community.”
LeMar Miller, Managing Director of the RES-Southern Region of IFF, said the project reflects the power of partnership. The organization specializes in community-centered lending, development and real estate consulting. They have worked with Urban Sprouts on its previous expansions. “I feel like I’m part of something bigger,” he said. “We help nonprofits put the pieces together necessary for their vision to transform into reality.”
Lawrence Bryant | The St. Louis American
During her remarks, Lanier paused when she spotted an alum after asking former students to stand. “Mila, is that you?” she asked, calling her forward for an embrace. “Milanka drew this logo for the café, and it is absolutely beautiful.”
Lanier closed by acknowledging the many partners who made the project possible — including philanthropists John and Alison Ferring. John Ferring died earlier this year, and Lanier became emotional speaking of their support.
“You invested in us and made sure we scaled this and changed what we thought was possible,” Lanier said. From the podium, she looked directly at Alison Ferring as she sat in the front row. “Your generosity transformed not just the campus, but the future we could imagine for children and families.”
She fought back tears but powered through.
“We miss John very much,” Lanier said with a cracking voice. “But I also think that there’s something beautiful about getting to stand here, surrounded by children, growth, possibility and all of the things your generosity helped set in motion.”
She looked around at the seats of the patio area filled with children, families and staff. “There is no version of this day that happens because of one person, one gift, one organization or one idea,” Lanier said. “This is what happens when a community decides that children and families deserve something extraordinary.”
After a performance of “Brand New Day” by Urban Sprouts alum Montgomery Price, guests toured the new space and the two homes that are part of the institution’s teacher housing program. Both are within walking distance of the Urban Sprouts campus in University City.
“I think we all know that having a stable home can change the trajectory of anyone and everyone’s life,” Crow said. “Urban Sprouts’ teacher housing initiative recognizes something we far too often overlook. And that is if we want exceptional educators caring for our children, we have to care about whether those educators themselves can thrive and affordably build a life in the community in which they serve.”
As guests toured the two-story home, Donda Miller, Director of Community Practice, explained the excitement of the teacher upon learning she would be residing there.
“We told her to meet us at the house so we could participate in a prayer circle,” Miller said. “She walks in and looks around, but she hadn’t figured it out yet. I said, ‘Welcome home. This is your home.’ I thought we were going to have to pick her up off the floor. We were actually sitting and fanning her on that couch right over there.”