Dear friends, neighbors and community partners,

This month we welcome summer! Yet, the effects of the devastating tornadoes in May will be with us well into the future. On May 16, as the UMSL Community hosted our first commencement ceremony of the weekend, destructive tornadoes visited the St. Louis region. While graduation was only temporarily interrupted, many of our neighbors in St. Louis were hit hard. Our hearts were heavy when we saw the pictures and learned about the devastation and loss of life. Not surprising though, our community has come together to respond to this crisis, and we will be working collectively to address the aftermath for the foreseeable future.

Even in the shadow of this loss, there are positive things happening that we want to highlight in this month’s newsletter including new opportunities for area businesses and organizations. During the summer, there are many events taking place where we can come together—outdoor activities like area Farmers Markets, concert series and festivals, as well as indoor events like those taking place in our beautiful Touhill Performing Arts Center. We build and support community as we join one another, whether we are facing challenges, enjoying our time visiting, or celebrating special occasions. This is where life happens, and I am grateful to be part of this strong and caring community!

UMSL and community respond to help those impacted by devasting tornado

In the aftermath of the May 16 tornado—which was at its most destructive from Forest Park through the area of North St. Louis in the vicinity of The Ville neighborhood, just a few miles east of the UMSL campus—people are continuing to look for ways to assist. The UMSL Community Innovation and Action Center is administering data systems to support a major community relief effort managed by Action St. Louis at the O’Fallon Park YMCA. This is largely done by handling the “Resident Support Intake Form” at https://actionstl.org/tornado—which is also coordinated with St. Louis City and 211 to ensure that response efforts are as aligned as possible.

Volunteer efforts will continue for the foreseeable future. Members of the UMSL community have joined neighbors from across the region volunteering to clean up and help those affected. The United Way of Greater St. Louis Volunteer Center has already connected more than 2,500 volunteers with local disaster relief opportunities. Individuals looking to help can sign up at www.stlvolunteer.org/disaster.

UMSL is holding a basic needs drive June 10-13. Everyone is invited to drop off items at the loading dock of the Millenium Student Center (MSC) between 11:00 AM and 1:00 PM or find a collection bin inside the MSC on the 3rd floor during other hours. Items needed:

Bottled Water, Batteries, Flashlights, Lanterns, Trash Bags, Large Tarps, Extension Cords, Infant Formula, Diapers/Wipes, Toothbrushes and Paste, Soap, Shampoo, Deodorant, Feminine Products, Packaged Snacks, Trail Mix, Crackers, Applesauce, Oatmeal, Cereal, Rice, Pop-top Canned items including Soups, Tuna/Chicken and Fruit 

Learn more about some relief efforts on St. Louis Public Radio news, “A tornado tore St. Louis apart. Community relief efforts are bringing it together.”

UMSL engineering students celebrate opening of new Greenwood Cemetery access road

Dwayne Perry wore a big smile as Shelly Morris cut the symbolic burgundy ribbon at Greenwood Cemetery, marking the opening of a state-of-the-art road resulting from two years of hard work by Perry, UMSL engineering students, and several partners. Perry, then a student in the UMSL/Washington University Joint Undergraduate Engineering Program, was part of a volunteer group, [working] to help solve the flooding and erosion issues of the cemetery's back road. More than 100 people attended the ribbon-cutting ceremony, where Perry emphasized the cultural and communal significance of Greenwood Cemetery, founded in 1874 as the first African-American non-sectarian cemetery in St. Louis.

The project included partnerships with Civil Design Inc., Engineers Without Borders, and support from the American Chemistry Council, which provided recycled tire Aspire pavers. The students tackled site assessments, design plans, and MSD-required water storage systems.... Greenwood Cemetery Preservation Association members Raphael and Shelly Morris have led restoration efforts for years, making this road project a meaningful step forward in preserving a historic and sacred space. Read more.

$5.4M in grants to rehabilitate and support affordable housing in the St. Louis region

h/t to Community Builders Network of Metro St. Louis, May 2025

$5.4 million in affordable housing grants has been awarded to Beyond Housing, The Housing Partnership, and Tower Grove CDC through the Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines. With sponsorship from Midwest BankCentre and Enterprise Bank & Trust, this funding will support critical repairs and rehabilitation for 222 low-income households across South City, North County, and South County. Housing is health, stability, and dignity and this investment is a win for the entire region.
 
Beyond Housing is leading efforts to provide homeowner empowerment services for seniors, low-income families, and individuals with disabilities in North County where decades of disinvestment have contributed to deteriorating housing conditions. Their $3.9 million in grant funding will enable essential repairs to 160 homes. That includes roofing, plumbing, HVAC upgrades, accessibility improvements, and more. Strong homes make strong neighborhoods, and this is an impactful investment. Read more.

HRIF provides $10M in New Markets Tax Credit allocation to support CR Metal Products, Inc.

St. Louis Economic Development Partnership, May 2025

Heartland Regional Investment Fund, LLC (HRIF), a subsidiary of St. Louis Economic Development Partnership, provided $10 million in New Markets Tax Credits allocation for CR Metal Products, Inc., resulting in more than $2.54 million in gross proceeds to support the business. The company will use the allocation for inventory and payroll at its Pagedale, Mo., location to increase capacity, hire more employees, service a larger client base and grow revenue. Read more.

Double your impact: Matching gift opportunities drive Transform UMSL momentum

Two matching gift challenges are offering University of Missouri–St. Louis supporters a chance to double their impact as part of the Transform UMSL initiative. Through June 30, all donations toward renovating the Arts Administration Building or constructing the Richter Family Welcome and Alumni Center will be matched dollar for dollar. The Arts Administration Building will become a new home for music and art programs, including a recital hall honoring the Arianna String Quartet. Donors giving $1,000 or more will be recognized on a plaque inside the hall.

The Richter Family Welcome and Alumni Center will serve as UMSL’s new “front door,” uniting Admissions, Student Services and Alumni Engagement. The UMSL Alumni Association is sponsoring a $150,000 matching challenge for this project, with donors of $1,000 or more acknowledged in the Alumni Association Conference Room. All gifts – regardless of amount – will be matched and donors will be invited to and recognized at the respective opening events. Read more.

Share with Us!

We'd love to hear your questions and comments about UMSL and stories about great things happening in our communities. Your thoughts will help shape content covered in future newsletters to be pertinent to you and your neighbors. Leave any suggestions, questions, or stories here. Thank you!

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Events & Resources

Ice Cream & Art in the Garden

Thursday, June 12, 2025

11:00 AM - 2:00 PM

9312 Lewis and Clark Blvd.

Join A Red Circle for Ice Cream + Art in the Garden Social at the North County Community Nexus. Families are invited to enjoy ice cream treats, hands-on art activities, and a playful atmosphere filled with fairies, dragons, and imagination. A $5 donation per family is requested to support materials. Click here for tickets.

A Capella LIVE!

Saturday, June 14, 2025

2:00 PM

UMSL Touhill Performing Arts Center

Harmony STL presents A Cappella Live: Broadway! Featuring the Ambassadors of Harmony, Visions of Harmony, and The Recruits Chorus, the show brings Broadway favorites to life through stunning a cappella performances. Audiences will also get a preview of international competition sets and a powerful grand finale with over 100 voices on stage. Tickets range from $17 to $30. Click here for tickets.

JuneteenthSTL Father’s Day Play Date

Sunday, June 15, 2025

2:00 - 5:00 PM

7400 Natural Bridge Rd.

JuneteenthSTL 2025’s family engagement and fundraising event will be held at City Jump Entertainment Complex. This special event celebrates family and Father’s Day with fun activities for all ages. Registered families impacted by mass incarceration or single-parent households can receive free play cards and drinks while supplies last. General admission is free. An Event sponsorship ticket is $25. Click here for tickets.

Grand-friends Day @ EarthDance

Saturday, June 28, 2025

9:00 AM- 12:00 PM

233 South Dade Avenue

EarthDance invites families and friends of all ages to celebrate Grand-friends Day together.  This is a free event. Click here for tickets.

An evening with Pulitzer prize-winning author Ron Chernow!

Saturday, June 28, 2025

5:30 PM

UMSL Touhill Performing Arts Center

Join Missouri Humanities for their 2025 Signature Series keynote event featuring Pulitzer Prize-winning author Ron Chernow. He will speak about his upcoming biography of beloved Missourian and author Mark Twain at this free event. Click here for tickets.

Ferguson 4th of July Parade

Thursday, July 4, 2025

10:00 AM - Begins at the Ferguson Fire Department, 200 S. Florissant Rd. Ends at January-Wabash Memorial Park, 501 N. Florissant Rd.

Family Fun Festival

6:00 – 9:00 PM followed by Fireworks January-Wabash Memorial Park

501 N. Florissant Rd.

The Family Fun Festival will include inflatables, music, food, and tons of fun! A 22-minute Fireworks Spectacular show will begin right at dusk (approximately 9:15 - 9:30 PM). For more information, click here. 

A Red Circle's Good Food Fridays

Every Friday through October 

3:00 – 5:00 PM

North Co. Agricultural Ed Center

4521 Hamilton Avenue

Good Food Fridays are back! North County residents can stop by each week to pick up a free bag of fresh, local produce along with seasonal recipes and storage tips. The farm includes five revitalized residential lots, fruit trees, chickens, bees, and a greenhouse to support year-round growing. Click here for registration.

Food On The Move

First Saturdays

11:00 AM – 1:00 PM

Rock road Transit Center

7001 St. Charles Rock Rd.

Third Tuesdays

2:30 - 4:00 PM

Rock Road Transit Center

7001 St. Charles Rock Rd.

Third Saturdays

11:00 AM – 1:00 PM

North Hanley Transit Center

4300 Hanley Rd.

St. Louis Area Foodbank’s mobile pantry offers transit riders, area residents and visitors fresh healthy food free of charge. Click here for more information.