St. Louis Metro Community News and Information

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Spotlight on St. Louis Area Neighborhood Activities - Updated July 9, 2009

Nurses for Newborns Foundation, St. Louis, Approved for $70,000 in YOP Tax Credits
ST. LOUIS, MO, (SLFP.com), July 5, 2009 - The Missouri Department of Economic Development today announced that 10 Missouri organizations that offer various services to Missouri children have been approved for a total of $996,995 in Youth Opportunities Program (YOP) tax credits.

The organization in St. Louis include:

Nurses for Newborns Foundation, St. Louis, has been approved for $70,000 in YOP tax credits. Nurses for Newborns will utilize the YOP tax credits for its Teen Parent program, which provides high-risk expectant and new teen parents with comprehensive, cost-free nurse home-visiting services. The goals of the Teen Parent program include reducing repeat pregnancies; reducing child abuse and neglect; and providing access to resources that empower youth to lead independent and healthy lives.

St. Louis Children's Hospital, St. Louis, has been approved for $35,000 in YOP tax credits. St. Louis Children's Hospital will utilize the YOP tax credits to provide funding for the Supporting Positive Opportunities for Teens (SPOT) Program. This center will provide programs for at-risk youth including employment preparation; assessment and treatment for mental health problems; substance abuse and transmitted disease screening; mentoring/internship; and youth leadership opportunities.

St. Louis Internship Program, St. Louis, has been approved for $67,886 in YOP tax credits. St. Louis Internship Program will utilize the YOP tax credits to provide year-around programming to position at-risk youth for improved educational, and ultimately, full-time employment opportunities. This program includes job skills, basic work readiness and practical office skills training. Following the training, interns are employed for eight weeks in professional settings.

St. Patrick Center, St. Louis, has been approved for $168,845 in YOP tax credits. St. Patrick Center will utilize the YOP tax credits for its Project Yes We Can! The project will serve homeless and impoverished youth in the St. Louis area, providing needs assessments; life skills training; parenting education; GED training; mental health counseling; and employment services.

Teach For America, St. Louis, has been approved for $200,000 in YOP tax credits. Teach For America will utilize the YOP tax credits to provide St. Louis' highest need urban and public schools with college graduates of all academic majors who will commit two years to teach in those institutions. The goal of the project is to improve the academic achievement and career readiness of the students in their classrooms.

Voices for Children, St. Louis, has been approved for $198,914 in YOP tax credits. Voices for Children will utilize the YOP tax credits to provide child advocates for children who have been removed from their home because of abuse and neglect. Voices' primary goal is to ensure that the youth are receiving the services they need to recover from severe physical and emotional traumas; and to reach a safe, stable living situation.

AmerenUE Launches $3 Million 'Clean Slate' Program for Low-Income Elderly/Disabled Customers
ST. LOUIS, MO, (SLFP.com), July 5, 2009 - AmerenUE has announced it is giving $3 million to needy customers to help them get a fresh start in managing their utility payments.

Called "Clean Slate," the program will help qualified customers pay off their past-due utility bills. The $3 million from AmerenUE will first be earmarked to help low-income elderly and low-income disabled UE customers who have fallen behind on their bills. Any remaining funds will be directed to assist other low-income customers. This effort is fully funded by UE; customers will not be charged for the program.

"Our goal is to reach customers who literally have to choose each month between paying for utilities and paying for food, medicine or other essential services," said Warner Baxter, AmerenUE president and chief executive officer. "It is part of our ongoing efforts to listen, respond and deliver to our customers -- especially our most vulnerable customers, who are experiencing significant challenges during these difficult economic times."

"With past Clean Slate programs, we have helped nearly 8,000 customers take steps to regain financial stability. We all know times are especially challenging right now, and this is another way we are helping our customers," added Richard Mark, AmerenUE Senior Vice President, Energy Delivery.

Customers must apply at a participating Clean Slate agency, which may define age limits and eligibility using poverty guidelines and other circumstances. Participating agencies can be found on Ameren's Web site, www.ameren.com/cleanslate , or by calling the United Way Information and Referral number, 1-800-427-4626. In addition, Ameren's automated voice response program offers information to customers who call into the Customer Contact Centers. Customers can dial 314-342-1111, or toll-free 1-800-552-7583, and choose menu option number "4." Then enter "2" and the ZIP Code when prompted. With the program announced, each qualified potential participant who is an active UE customer is being asked to pay 10 percent of the delinquent amount on his or her bill to qualify for a Clean Slate pledge that will cover the rest of the outstanding balance.

Inactive qualified customers -- those who have been disconnected for nonpayment -- will be required to pay 20 percent of their arrearages. Once the qualified customer has paid that portion, Clean Slate will pay the entire balance on a UE customer's account.

Tips to Help Boomers Prevent Exercise-Related Injuries
ST. LOUIS, MO, (SLFP.com), June 23, 2009 - As the weather gets warmer, people often get motivated to spend more time outdoors. Whether it's working on projects around the house, playing with the grandkids at the park or out exercising, the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) stresses important that baby boomers remember their bodies are not as young as they used to be and not overdo it. See Community Health News

Archived St. Louis Community News and Information:

Senator Bond Receives Heat-Up St. Louis Founder's Award

Cool Down St. Louis Launches 'Check On Your Neighbors - Turn On The Air!' Initiative

St. Louis to Host American International Choral Festival

11th Annual Susan G. Komen St. Louis Race for the Cure® Draws Record Crowd Downtown

Public Forum for Chesterfield Bicycle & Pedestrian Plan

Missouri's Optometrists to Provide Free Professional Eye care for Infants

Early Childhood Educators Are Making the Grade

Civil Rights Pioneers Honored on Stamps

Opera Legend Grace Bumbry Receives Key to the City

Barack Obama Boulevard sign at Delmar Boulevard and Kingshighway Boulevard

Post Offices hold Passport Fairs February 21

Children's Health Advocacy Project Receives Funding

City of Kirksville Awarded $250,000 Community Development Block Grant

Prostate Cancer Awareness Coalition Brings Attention to Importance of Early Detection

Freddie Mac Extends Eviction Suspension Until March 1, 2009

Contrary to Earlier Predictions, Older Driver Fatal Crashes Trend Down

Washington University to Receive McDonnell Foundation Science Initiative Award

Roosevelt High School Color Guard and Drill Team to Participate in Inaugural Parade

Plans for Neighborhood Stabilization Program Announced

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