June 8, 2022
Building confidence
Around Town
COMMUNITY VOICES By Dr. Dave Baker. Pg. 2 A SENIOR MOMENT. Pg. 2 Kids, families invited to Reading with a Ranger every weekend in June at Gateway Arch . Pg. 4
Senior Living STILL IN THIS TOGETHER I hope I’ve lived up to my promise. Pg. 5
Features
Submitted photo Dream Builders 4 Equity is a nonprofit that employs marginalized young people ages 16-24 in concert with minority contractors to renovate vacant or abandoned homes in St. Louis.
Dream Builders 4 Equity is a nonprofit that employs marginalized young people ages 16-24 to rehab abandoned houses in St. Louis By Wendy Todd There are an estimated 25,000 vacant or abandoned homes in St. Louis. Dream Builders 4 Equity is a nonprofit that addresses the issue by employing marginalized young people ages 16-24 in concert with minority contractors to renovate houses. The youth receive a percentage of the sales of homes they’ve helped rehab as funds for education, tools or a car. This model helps develop neglected communities and helps young people feel empowered, provides a sense of ownership and develops pride, leadership skills and scholarship. Michael Woods, who co-founded the organization with Neal Richardson stat-
ed, “Our goal is to tackle the vacant home epidemic plaguing the St. Louis region by doing large-scale, community-led developments in neighborhoods that have been historically divested in, growing them into thriving communities where residents have the opportunity to live out their full potential.” The experience participating youth gain can serve as a professional and personal foundation moving forward in their lives. “The young people in our program build confidence and pride while participating,” Michael Woods, co-founder of the nonprofit said. “Through this new confidence they go on to become great leaders and assets to the community.”
The nonprofit which was founded in 2016 and has completed 25 projects to date not only helps youth gain valuable work experience in the apprenticeships but also assists underserved communities and provides renovations for senior residents. Additionally, it offers aid for increases in property taxes that disproportionately impact residents of color. This assistance helps to prevent the displacement of senior residents. The program is set up so that young builders experience long term benefits that extend beyond the duration of the program. “Access to these assets of the program will See ‘BUILDING’ page 2
Serving North & Northwest St. Louis County | FREE Online at mycnews.com | Vol. 101 No. 23 | 636-379-1775
Recipe, Movie & Sudoku. Pg. F-1 CLASSIFIEDS AND HOME & GARDEN. Pg. F-2 /F-3 Moore On Life, Yeggs & Crossword Puzzle. Pg. F-4
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