Located on the banks of the Mississippi River, the city of St. Louis, Missouri offers an exciting mix of arts, entertainment and cultural attractions. The Gateway Arch serves as a distinctive symbol for the city, which welcomes millions of visitors each year. St. Louis is home to a diverse economy and population. While some residents enjoy many opportunities in the city, other residents struggle with poverty. These are the residents your group will have the chance to serve as you partner with local organizations to minister to the homeless, children and elderly populations of St. Louis.

Demographics

The Mississippi River serves as St. Louis’ eastern border and separates the city from the state of Illinois. The city’s famous Gateway Arch, built in the mid-1960s, commemorates the westward expansion of the United States in the 19th century. For this reason, St. Louis is often called the “Gateway to the West.” St. Louis also is home to Forest Park, one of the largest urban parks in the world, covering nearly 1,300 acres. Today the city is home to 350,759 residents, primarily African-American (51 percent), Whites (43 percent) and Asians (2 percent). As is the case in many large cities, there are those who face poverty and homelessness. Between 1998 and 2001, the homeless population in St. Louis and surrounding areas increased by 69 percent. In total, 25.4 percent of St. Louis residents live below the poverty level, including 37.7 percent under age 18 and 17.5 percent age 65 or older. By volunteering your time in St. Louis, you can make a big difference. For a fun and life-changing ministry experience, come to St. Louis!

About the Ministry

Participants serve in a variety of ways during a YouthWorks mission trip. Students may spend all week at one ministry or switch between ministries during the week. Our goal is to partner with local organizations and programs that seek to address the very basic needs of residents. Students may serve at places like: Children’s Programs, Elderly Centers, Soup Kitchens/Homeless Shelters and Thrift Stores. We cannot confirm until all groups arrive exactly what ministries your students will be a part of during the week. We ask that you come with a willing and flexible spirit!

Activities

Evening activities during a YouthWorks week are designed to give participants insight into the lives of local residents and the culture of the area. Here is a list of evening/cultural activities we have done in the past: visit the famous Gateway Arch; attend a local church service; take part in a community educational experience; and attend a community cookout. These are examples of what your group might partake in during your mission week. These examples are subject to change due to weather or availability. In case of change, suitable substitutes will be provided. We try to arrange for free evening activities, but from time to time, an additional cost may be required for an activity. Please plan to bring an additional $10 per person to cover any extra costs. We will confirm the details closer to your trip.

Ministry Week

Partnering with Local Ministries.

Mileage

St. Louis is located directly in the center of the state’s Eastern border edge. There is an airport located within the city, as well as airports in Cape Girardeau (114 miles away), Columbia (124 miles away), Springfield (208 miles away), and Kansas City (253 miles away).

Transportation & Travel

Each group is responsible for transportation to and from the site, and during the mission week. St. Louis can only accommodate standard 15 passenger vans or smaller.

Additional Information

If you would like more information on what there is to do in St. Louis and surrounding areas before or after your trip, check out the following Web sites: www.st-louis-cvc.com or http://stlouis.missouri.org/tourism/.