Steward Family Foundation - Marilyn Fox Building JCC

Creating for Tomorrow

Dear Thelma and David,

We write to you in gratitude for your continued investments in the greater St. Louis community. Because of you our shared community is better, stronger, smarter and happier

This is what we are about building community. (It’s our middle name.)

The Jewish Community Center (The J) has been an integral part of the St. Louis community since 1880. From its early days as the YMHA downtown to today’s three thriving campuses – the Staenberg Family Complex in the Creve Coeur area, the Marilyn Fox Building in Chesterfield , and Camp Sabra at the Lake of the Ozarks — the J serves people from as young as 6 weeks to more than 100 years within our five core service areas: Early Childhood Education, Arts & Culture, Group Social Services (including senior nutrition and inclusion programs), Day and Resident Camp s, and Fitness & Wellness

In 1880, the J was created out of necessity Jews in the St. Louis area needed a secure place to gather and be enthusiastical ly themselves, as they routinely faced discrimination in traditional gathering spaces. These beginnings very much fuel how we run our programs today: All are welcome.

We believe everyone deserves to feel safe, supported, respected, empowered , and equal in our spaces & programs. We celebrate all members, participants, staff , and volunteers in the spirit of the Jewish traditi on that all humans are created b’tzelem Elohim, ‘in G-d’s image ’ It is with this mindset that we lead our programs and invite the entire community to join us at the J and commit to creating a welcoming community for all, regardless of faith or background.

More than 40,000 people directly participate in our programs annually, whether enjoying a film at our annual Jewish Film Festival, learning ABCs in our Early Childhood Center, making a new friend at camp , or participating in a myriad of youth sports activities There is something for everyone at the J.

We see an urgent need to expand our services and our reach to fill the current and anticipated needs of our community. It is wit h this vision that we are embarking on our Creating the J for Tomorrow campaign

We enthusiastically submit this proposal and are grateful for your thoughtful consideration This important initiative to expand services at the Marilyn Fox Building will empower us to fulfill current and future needs of this community and ensure we deliver an even greater impact on our children, gran dchildren, and all who follow in our footsteps. More than 26 years ago, we named our West County facility in honor of Marilyn Fox in recognition of the transformational contributions she made to our agency We continue to honor her legacy with this project. Thank you for your consideration.

With Gratitude,

Lynn Wittels, President & CEO

Ted Flom, Board Chair

Debbie Lefton, Capital Campaign Co -Chair

Greg Siwak, Capital Campaign Co -Chair

Adult Day at the J (ADJ)

Family creates the building blocks for a strong community Today's families face unique challenges while caring for aging parents and loved ones who require additional support Studies show that seniors and adults with cognitive disabilities have a better quality of life when they attend an Adult Day program Yet, the availability of such programs is extremely limited especially in the Chesterfield area A new and inclusive Adult Day program at the Marilyn Fox Building will be a highly sought-after option for families

For more than 40 years, the J has provided exceptional programming for seniors with cognitive and physical challenges in the Adult Day at the J program at the Staenberg Family Complex (SFC). In 2016 services were expanded to meet the needs of young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IN Program) We provide cognitive, physical, and social stimulation while also encouraging individual growth

The need for expanded services at the Fox Building:

• In a 5-mile radius of the Marilyn Fox Building there are nearly 22,000 individuals aged 65+ and more than 4,000 individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities.

• Seniors represent more than 25% of the population of the Chesterfield area which is significantly higher than the average for the State of Missouri (18%)

• There is only ONE licensed Adult Day program in Chesterfield (a nursing home with a capacity of only 25)

• There is a SINGLE provider of Department of Mental Health services, and it is 10 miles away

Transforming the Marilyn Fox Building to include a second home for our Adult Day at the J and IN Program participants calls for philanthropy of $3,643,000.

These resources will create secure, appropriate spaces for our participants, new outdoor gardens, and expanded kitchen facilities

30% of Adult Day waitlist participants reside within or near the Chesterfield area

30% of active participants travel 30-45 minutes one-way to attend Adult Day at SFC

84% of our active participants receive state and/or federal funding to pay for our services

Early Childhood Center (ECC)

We have the privilege and obligation to instill a love of learning in the next generation. Exceptional early childhood education, rooted in Jewish values like “Tikkun Olam” (repairing the world) and “Tzedakah” (charity/taking care of others), ensures our youngest generation will thrive. The J provides the youngest learners with new and exciting experiences each day, balancing active and quiet activities in individual, small group, and larger group settings.

Our curriculum is based on two progressive models; Reggio Emilia, which values every child as strong and capable, and the Conscious Discipline Curriculum, which is a leader in impactful social and emotional learning

The ECC is often the entry for new families to become more involved in the J and the community. Our ECC is the only licensed, accredited pre-school program in the Jewish community, an important consideration for families who wish to provide their children experiences based on faith and tradition Meeting these standards assures the highest levels of quality and safety

Only at the J’s ECC do children participate in year-round swimming, sports, dance, gymnastics, and academic enrichment classes. We welcome children with a wide array of abilities and believe inclusive programs benefit every child.

The Fox ECC is growing as a vital resource for families in West St. Louis County In Creating the J for Tomorrow, we are excited about housing our new Adult Day program contiguous to our ECC to allow for intergenerational, valuebased character development programming that supports both the youngest and oldest in our community

Transforming the Marilyn Fox Building for an updated and improved ECC for our youngest learners calls for philanthropy of $1,740,000

These resources will create safe and age-appropriate spaces for our program, including outdoor gardens, and enhanced kitchen facilities.

J Day Camps and Community-Building Activities

Every child is welcome at the J, and our day camps feature the activities kids love most including swimming, gymnastics, art, nature, sing-a-longs, and team sports

Studies support what camp directors have been saying for decades: Camp does kids a world of good. Summer camp provides a platform for children to strengthen their soft skills, self-confidence, and self-reliance. J Day Camps offer support for campers to make new friends, develop and improve swimming skills, foster creativity, and promote physical activity. Campers learn through friendship, teamwork, and working through new experiences.

We are proud of our role as the community convener, helping us connect to one another Today's world yearns for meaningful community building and cultural activities that inspire and enrich We are proud of our heritage and know that this community has a need to connect, build relationships, learn together, and nourish their families with rich cultural experiences that help us build multi-cultural bridges of connection, empathy, understanding, tolerance, and faith.

For 26 years, the J's Family Center at the Fox Building has been a beloved resource for Jewish families in West County Each year, hundreds of young families engage in family-centric programming, building social networks that broaden and deepen their connection to community These relationships are critical to a vibrant and thriving Jewish community and provide the foundation for future generations

A newly enhanced facility will build on this foundation of engagement and allow for additional community experiences for both families and older adults in West County: Shabbat and holiday celebrations; author and music events; film screenings; art s workshops; learning activities, meditation and spiritual practice, and Israel programming Innovative programming will enable us to engage a broader audience and build an even stronger community

Transforming the Marilyn Fox Building to expand day camp and cultural programs calls for philanthropy of $1,839,000

Community Wellness, Fitness and Recreation

Wellness and Fitness are key to a fulfilling, healthy life, and an essential element of the J’s continued success. Our premier fitness center serves as a community gathering space, bringing the entire community together, offering exciting options for those seeking a fitness facility. Boosting memberships and retaining existing members is critical to the wellness of our community and the future of the J.

The competitive landscape for fitness options in West County has evolved since the opening of the Marilyn Fox Building 26 years ago New fitness brands have shattered the traditional membership model and others have elevated the fitness experience. To remain relevant to the consumer, we must invest in our facilities and programming consistent with other high-quality fitness centers in our region.

While membership fees are a primary source of revenue for the J, fitness enhancers such as personal training and small group training are value-added experiences that entice members Improving overall health and wellness has other far-reaching benefits: higher quality of life, a sense of belonging and purpose, reduced health care costs

Fitness centers at the J provide the fuel that supports our broad spectrum of mission programs. Community building programs such as our signature Cultural Arts outreach events and Nishmah are reliant on revenue generated by our fitness offerings.

Transforming the Marilyn Fox Building to meet community fitness and wellness needs calls for philanthropy of $3,841,000.

Our Request: An Opportunity to Create the J for Tomorrow

We are grateful to the Steward Family Foundation for its significant investments in elevating the lives of the people in the St. Louis community. As we launch this initiative, we are reaching out to significant community builders, like you, to consider investing in this important project.

Expanding services and programs at the Marilyn Fox Building is vital to the J’s mission of enriching lives, building community, promoting inclusivity, and creating meaningful Jewish experiences.

Transforming the Marilyn Fox Building calls for an investment of $11 million from our community The J has always relied on individual and family generosity to create opportunities, programs, and services that support a vibrant and thriving community. Revenue from membership and fees alone have never been sufficient to fully meet our mission

As the J approaches its 150th anniversary and the 30th anniversary of the Marilyn Fox Building, the time is right to launch this philanthropic effort. Giving from our community will make a significant difference in our ability to serve more and serve better. The J has been fortunate to benefit from several early leadership gifts, which total $5.5 million toward the $11 million proposed goal. This leaves an equal amount of $5.5 million to be secured to fulfill our mission and dreams.

We cordially invite the Steward Family Foundation to consider an investment o f $500,000 in this important work. Your generosity will honor Marilyn, inspire others, and propel us toward our goal of transforming the Marilyn Fox Building and our greater community

Once again, we are genuinely thankful for your consideration of our request and for all you have done for our beloved community We are happy to answer any questions you have, and we look forward to working together with the Steward Family Foundation on this exciting project

Recognition Opportunities

We are eager to work with you to determine the appropriate naming opportunity that honors your commitment to this effort.

Lobby

- $500,000

The completely renovated lobby will be the first impression that members and the community at large experience when they come to the Marilyn Fox Building. Whether arriving for a workout, a cultural arts program, or a community gathering, this open and bright entrance will be the starting point for what promises to be an amazing visit to the J. Everyone is welcome at the J and that sentiment will be palpable in this renovated space.

Conference Center - $500,000

Our modern conference center will serve as a gathering space for the community. This well-equipped center will be the home for committee meetings that bring our programming to life as well as provide a destination for families to gather and connect. Outfitted with modern technology it will remove the barrier of distance when in-person gathering is a challenge.

Pickleball Center - $500,000

Pickleball has become one of the most sought-after activities at the J. Picklers (Pickleball addicts) of all ages will benefit from the creation of the Pickleball Center and it will certainly become a go-to destination at the J. We offer Pickleball opportunities for all levels; beginner to advanced and Pickleball is one of our most popular St. Louis Senior Olympics events, as well.

Adult Day Center - $1 million

The Adult Day Center at the Marilyn Fox Building will be a center that supports seniors and young adults with cognitive and physical impairments. We will replicate our award-winning program that promotes cognitive, physical, and social stimulation, while also encouraging individual growth in an inclusive and supportive environment. A gift of $1 million will secure the naming rights to this important space for your family or someone special you would like to honor.

Early Childhood Center - $1 million

The Early Childhood Center (ECC) at the Marilyn Fox Building will support children ages six weeks to five years In 2022, 15% of our ECC students received scholarship support to attend and 20% of these children were identified as having special needs Despite the challenges we and all ECC programs face given extreme staffing shortages, 100% of the children who graduated from our program in each of the past 12 years have been deemed Kindergarten-ready by the CDC’s Milestones Matter checklist used to evaluate success. A gift of $1 million will secure naming rights to this important space for your family or someone special you would like to honor.

If these naming opportunities do not align with your passions and interests, we are happy to explore other opportunities to recognize your investment in this project.

Thank you for your consideration!

We invite the Steward Family Foundation to join us in building the foundation for the community of tomorrow.

Your support will empower us to put the pieces in place for a vibrant, thriving community for generations to come. Together, we will enrich lives, build community, promote inclusivity, and create meaningful Jewish experiences for the broader community.

Thank you again for your thoughtful consideration of support for this project.