The St. Louis Metropolitan Clergy Coalition (Clergy Coalition) is an interdenominational coalition of African-American Pastors that have been working for more than 15 years to find solutions to the spiritual, social, and economic issues affecting the St. Louis community. The Coalition began work when clergy, concerned with the state of the cities educational system, initiated meetings with the Superintendent of the St. Louis Public School System. Since that time, the Coalition has grown to include clergy from various denominations and congregations in St. Louis City, County and Illinois.
The United Way of Greater St. Louis funds a network of nearly 200 quality health and human service agencies throughout the St. Louis region. Project Clergy C.A.R.E.S. was designed to integrate the strengths of the United Way and the Coalition. The United Way brings expertise in program development, financial management, reporting and program accountability to this initiative; the Clergy Coalition brings a spiritual foundation, an understanding of the issues facing the St. Louis community, and a unique level of access to the people of this community through their congregations. Project Clergy C.A.R.E.S. positions the Clergy Coalition to respond effectively and collaboratively to the challenges facing the St. Louis region. The Clergy Coalition has final decision-making authority for all Project Clergy C.A.R.E.S. program activities, within the guidelines established by each funding source and with the guidance of United Way staff.
The United Way of Greater St. Louis collaborates with the St. Louis Metropolitan Clergy Coalition to implement Project Clergy C.A.R.E.S. This collaboration mobilizes congregations, community residents, public officials, social service organizations and the business community around three primary areas of concentration: Violence Prevention and the Criminal Justice System, Families, Children and Youth, Health and Health Care.
The United Way Executive Committee approved the collaboration between the United Way and the St. Louis Metropolitan Clergy Coalition in late 2000. The United Way initially committed $50,000 annually for three years in support of the administration of this project. This commitment officially began in April, 2001 and continued through March, 2004. In late 2003, the Executive Committee approved and additional $50,000 contribution extending the overall commitment to march 2005.
Through this collaboration and additional $225,000 has been leveraged in support of Project Clergy C.A.R.E.S. programs such as:
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The Church Mentor Corps program links adult volunteers from Coalition Churches with youth from throughout the region who have at least one parent that has been incarcerated.
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The Making a Way program provides pre and post release support services for ex-offenders transitioning back into the St. Louis region. Coalition Church members from mentoring care teams work with up to 25 ex-offenders.
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HIV/AIDS Clergy training teach Ministers about the HIV/AIDS epidemic and how to talk with their congregations about the importance of prevention, testing and treatment.
