CN: November 9, 2022

Striving for excellence

Neighbors Impacting Communities is a North St. Louis County nonprofit organization that celebrates the inclusion and diversity of school-age children

By Wendy Todd

The country has been experiencing a myriad of challenges regarding political and sociopolitical division that has been ramped up over the past six years, culminating in sometimes violent events. Many have concerns about how not only society is evolving but also how it impacts youth.

Locally, that issue, coupled with St. Louis’ history with racial and socioeconomic division, can make it increasingly more difficult to find and identify equitable and safe spaces in the region. One new, local organization has taken the charge to be part of the solution.

Neighbors Impacting Communities, established at the end of 2020, by president Joyce Hughes, is a “nonprofit organization

in North County that celebrates schoolage children with a special focus on the inclusion and diversity of all children in the metro St. Louis area.”

Hughes developed the organization, “To help enhance the abilities of K- 12 youth in their daily challenges despite obstacles,” she said. “We encourage youth to strive for excellence. The NIC team stresses the importance of getting along with each other in social settings despite differences.”

One of the major goals of the nonprofit are to create a more cohesive community that doesn’t impose limits or boundaries on youth, particularly based on any part of their identity or background.

The organization has started hosting fundraising events and endeavors, such as a refreshments booth at the Route 66

Car Show on the historic Chain of Rocks Bridge last September. The next event, that will celebrate Black History Month, will be the second annual We The People Multicultural Celebration on Feb. 5, 2023.

It will feature performances by The Inner Ear Youth Orchestra and other guests. There will also be multicultural vendors and a silent auction. The free event will be held at the James A. Eagan Theatre in Florissant. N.I.C. is still holding auditions for additional talent.

Hughes hopes N.I.C. has a long future and that the activities and events will continue to “enhance the social lives of youth K -12 with no boundaries!”

For information about N.I.C. go to www.nicstlmo.org