Lived in seven St. Louis neighborhoods before I started high school. A a child, I hardly noted any difference in the quality of life and resources between these places, I was loved, protected, and nurtured in each one. All these neighborhoods- all My neighborhoods, were home. UR Welcome is a dedication to the beauty in my upbringing. It is acknowledgement of the struggle and the deep resilience of a city made of communities that won't give up. UR Welcome is an invitation to use strengths of our diverse communities to address our city's delicate needs. I hope this organization can begin to bridge the social and physical gaps that keep St. Louisians apart. UR Welcome is my personal gift to a city that kept me safe, happy, and entertained. May this be a contribution towards a Greater more unified St. Louis where strangers become neighbors, and every community feels like home.
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OUR MISSION
To utilize the strengths of our city as solutions to our challenges, transforming
St. Louis into a unified community renowned for its kindness, care, and
support. Through opportunities to build meaningful connections and serve our
community, UR Welcome aims to give St. Louis-- inclusive of all its
neighborhoods, all its communities, and all its residents--the support needed
to reach greatest potential.
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OUR VISION
Where a culture of service, connection, and support
ensure strangers become neighbors and every STL community feels like home. At UR Welcome, everyone belongs to one community. We embrace a spirit
of generosity and support. We are all neighbors, ready to serve and eager to connect
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SOCIAL TRANSFORMATION
UR Welcome was created to inspire lasting social change in St. Louis by addressing
social and physical barriers. We envision a future where every resident can thrive in
a supportive and inclusive environment. By aligning interests and resources, we
can generate positive social impact.
Improve St. Louis communities by 40% through direct service, volunteer involvement, and community projects by 2030.
Establish St. Louis Community Partnerships (Jan 2025)
- Pilot Planning for Kindness Knocks (door-to-door check-ins) and UR Weekly Welcomes (community gatherings)
- Possible Extension: Nourishing Narratives Pilot Program (unclear)
- Complete Documentation for 501(c)3 Designation (non-profit status) - Develop program framework
- Secure initial funding and partnerships
- Develop and test community service projects focused on neighborly interaction (e.g., checking in on isolated individuals, hosting community gatherings
Launch Kindness Knocks and UR Weekly Welcomes programs
- Begin recruitment and training of 100 volunteers - Increased community engagement
- Initial direct service to a limited number of homes
-Analyze the effectiveness of the pilot program aimed at supportingsocial responsibility through volunteer involvement
- Implement Kindness Knocks and UR Weekly Welcomes programs across targeted communities
- Expand Kindness Knocks and UR Weekly Welcomes programs
- Recruit and train an additional 200 volunteers
- Implement first round of community service projects (e.g., park clean-up) - Strengthened community connections
- Increased direct service to more homes
2027 - Further expand Kindness Knocks and UR Weekly Welcomes programs
- Recruit and train an additional 200 volunteers
- Conduct evaluation and refine programs based on results
- Implement additional community service projects - Measurable improvements in community safety and social responsibility
- Ongoing direct service to a significant number of homes
- Maintain and refine existing programs
- Explore opportunities for program replication in other areas
- Celebrate achievements and milestones - Achieve or surpass 40% improvement goal
- Greater St. Louis communities
Advocate for city-wide adoption of similar programs.
Continued progress towards the 40% community improvement goal
2030 - Ongoing program maintenance and adaptation
- Potential for further expansion based on success - Sustainable positive impact on St. Louis communities
Secure additional funding and resources based on progress.
Improved safety and reduced crime through increased community interaction