Micheal Conners Jr.’s speech has blossomed over the last few years thanks to the therapy he’s received courtesy of the unique partnership between Maryville University’s Walker Scottish Rite Clinic and the HUB, a community resource center that provides greater access to much-needed services in the Jeff-Vander-Lou neighborhood.
The HUB provides free speech therapy to children ages two to six, along with early intervention from professionals to help achieve the best possible outcomes for the child. Therapy services are provided in person, and the speech therapists give tips and techniques for parents and caregivers to use at home.
When Micheal Jr. began his sessions, Myatt could only understand 40 percent of what he was saying. She is so proud to proclaim that she can understand him perfectly now.
“Parents and caregivers are essential partners when it comes to communication,” said Jacob Gutshall, director of the Walker Scottish Rite Clinic at Maryville University. “We teach long-term therapeutic techniques to help children succeed in everyday situations. Our resources can help children succeed in peer relationships, school, and life.”
The Walker Scottish Rite Clinic also provides free speech-language therapy for children ages two through six throughout the St. Louis Metropolitan Area. Founded in 1988, the Walker Clinic became a program of Maryville University in 2015. It serves children year-round from its main location on the Maryville campus. The Walker Scottish Rite Clinic was presented a Quality of Life Award by St. Louis Mayor Tishaura Jones in 2022.
Speech and language are challenging cognitive achievements for many children, some of whom struggle to overcome common speech disorders at an early age. Parents may notice their child having difficulty with speech sounds, language usage, or social communication. When that happens, therapy can help.
Micheal Jr. was just three years old when his parents, Micheal and Trish, signed him up for speech therapy at the HUB. Now, Micheal Jr. no longer stutters and can make complete sentences. His speech therapist Ruth Myatt, a former student of Maryville University, has helped Micheal Jr. enunciate his words and he no longer has a lisp. Micheal Sr. noticed his son’s frustration decreasing and speaking more complete sentences. “He knows how to express himself,” he said. The family lives in the Fairground Park neighborhood close to the Hub.
“When children have these barriers at a young age and also have early intervention it can put them on a different trajectory,” said Myatt. “Communication is fundamental to everything we do in life.”
When Micheal Jr. began his sessions, Myatt could only understand 40 percent of what he was saying. She is so proud to proclaim that she can understand him perfectly now.
Pastor Andre Alexander of Tabernacle Church is the development director of the HUB and he said renovating the then-vacant building is an investment in the community. Tabernacle Community Development Corp., invested $1.5 million in 2022 to turn the former Farragut Branch Elementary School building into The Hub, a community resource center for Jeff-Vander-Lou residents – featuring resources such as Maryville University, one of the first tenants at this site.
Pastor Andre wants underserved families to have the opportunity to get quality speech therapy services they otherwise wouldn’t be able to afford. “For us, this is a no-brainer,” said the pastor, whose daughter has benefited from speech therapy at Maryville University. “So this is personal.”
Easy access goes hand in hand with the pastor’s vision. He says 39 percent of the people in or near the JeffVanderLou community don’t have cars. According to Pastor Andre, 40 percent to 50 percent of the families come from neighborhoods within a five-mile radius. Having the HUB in the heart of North St. Louis City provides a much-needed resource in the community without it being a burden to get to.
“When a speech and language disorder goes untreated, it can have a negative impact on reading and comprehension,” Pastor Andre said. “I’m so thankful Maryville University partnered with us.” The partnership serves close to 60 families, providing long-term therapy in the form of one-hour sessions. “ The intention is to serve the people in the immediate vicinity but also other areas,” said Gutshall. Adding to what Gutshall said, Pastor Andre specified, “This is about creating access families don’t have to add speech therapy to their list of bills.”
Ongoing support through individual donations, grants, and special events is vital to ensuring that the Walker Clinic can continue providing free services for children, regardless of their families’ financial circumstances. For more information about services please visit srclinic.org.
Ashley Winters is a Report for America reporter for the St. Louis American.
