Powerful Leaders & Change Makers

Creating Whole Communities

Creating Whole Communities, formed in 2014, brings together the University of Missouri–St. Louis' School of Social Work, Des Lee Collaborative Vision, and Community Innovation and Action Center with University of Missouri Extension and the region's neighborhoods to focus on strengthening our communities. CWC links the resources of the university's local efforts throughout the region to create whole communities. CWC leverages UMSL and MU Extension bring expertise and resources in research, organizational capacity building and leadership development, and fostering civic dialogue to serve the region in bringing about whole communities.

The flagship CWC programs include Neighborhood Leadership Academy, Neighborhood Leadership Fellows, and What’s Brewing.

• Neighborhood Leadership Academy is a 10-session course that provides hands-on leadership training emphasizing community building principles, project planning, and personal leadership skills.

• Neighborhood Leadership Fellows is a nine-month advanced leadership training for resident leaders in North City and North County emphasizing equitable policy and systems change, tactical skill building around data, communication and organizing, and provides mentoring and networking opportunities.

• What's Brewing is a series of breakfast conversations to explore issues, connections, and opportunities for St. Louis area neighborhoods. Each session visits a different community and includes a presentation on neighborhood data, a panel of community stakeholders, and audience conversation. Attendees gain an understanding of neighborhood and regional trends and promising strategies in neighborhood revitalization.