UrbanReachSTL is a year-round non-profit serving the 63106 zip code with future plans to service all public housing communities in the city. The Rock Church of St. Louis is a Partner with UrbanReachSTL.
Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying,
"Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?"
And I said,
"Here am I. Send me!"
Isaiah 6:8
Violence was running ramped when our team, along with a few faithful volunteers started UrbanReachSTL in the Cochran public housing complex back in 2017. The mission at the time was simply to provide a safe place for children to learn about God and to keep them alive.
On May 20th, 2017, we hosted our very first summer kick-off block party in the middle of the Cochran. Bible Club began on the same field two weeks later, and we have been there ever since. UrbanReachSTL started as a small group of volunteers. Since then, we have grown our volunteer base to over 300+ volunteers who serve yearly in Cochran and surrounding neighborhoods. What started as a small summer Bible club averaging about 15 children a day, has grown exponentially to an organization that serves over 800 children and families a year in the Cochran public housing complex, with plans to expand this year to other large public housing communities in St. Louis.
One of the city's largest drug houses (which used to be a thriving church and center) sits on 9th Street in the middle of the neighborhood. We were burdened for our families that had to live by the building and knew God wanted better for it. We began to pray over the space, and we became the owners of the property in October of 2019. What was once a hub for drugs and prostitution is being restored to its original purpose. There has not been one instance of crime since we became the owners. After losing many of our young people to violence, our 5- and 10-year plan is to bring our programming to all of the public housing complexes in St. Louis.
To learn more about Urban Reach STL and how to serve visit:
urstl.org
You can also email:
savannah@urstl.org
tina@urstl.org
