Republished from the St. Louis American –

As families across St. Louis pick up the pieces after the May 16 tornado, the urgency for stable housing and student support is reaching a breaking point. In response, six local organizations have been awarded a combined $27,000 in microgrants from The Opportunity Trust’s Reinvention by Community (RBC) initiative to help youth facing housing instability and support families in need.

“We can strengthen the responsiveness and effectiveness of our C3RT and CARE teams in the areas most impacted,” said Larry Davis, Director of Business Development at Behavioral Health Response. BHR is a grantee of the RBC. The $2,500 grant will be used to support mobile crisis services, allowing BHR to reach more people who need mental health support following the tornado. “Ultimately, these efforts are intended to foster resilience, minimize secondary trauma, and promote long-term recovery for the young people and families affected by the tornado.”

According to Davis, the C3RT (Crisis Care Rapid Response Teams) focuses on rapid deployment to assist individuals experiencing acute emotional distress, offering immediate mental health interventions on-site. The CARE teams help connect residents to ongoing mental health services, housing stabilization, and other critical resources. Expanding these teams ensures that more affected individuals receive timely, trauma-informed care.

This will allow BHR to expand its outreach initiatives, especially targeting youth and their families affected by the tornado. The organization plans to continue sending outreach teams to neighborhoods and community resource centers, offering immediate emotional support, and distributing resources such as hygiene kits, food, and crisis information.

“Housing stability is a critical part of the recovery process,” Davis said, speaking about youth affected by the storm. “Allocating a portion of the funding to support displaced residents will help ensure they have safe, secure environments where they can begin to heal and rebuild.”

Selected by a committee of St. Louis parents, educators, and community members.

The 2025 RBC grantees were chosen for their ability to take immediate, targeted action for area children. From expanding access to health care and crisis response, to provide school-based essentials and housing support, each project meets a critical need. The Opportunity Trust is a nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing educational equity and excellence through strategic investments, policy advocacy, and innovative programs.

This year’s grant cycle highlights the power of trusting community members to lead change. By putting resources directly into the hands of those closest to the challenges, Reinvention by Community is funding innovative ideas while shifting who holds the power to shape public education. Since its launch, the initiative has invested nearly $300,000 in local leaders and organizations working to reimagine what education can look like in St. Louis.

IFM Community Medicine, another grantee, is helping youth navigate the aftermath of the storm. “Our grant from the Opportunity Trust is specifically targeted at unhoused youth.  Unfortunately, the recent tornado has increased this target audience,” said Carrie Warren, Director of Mission Advancement at IFM Community Medicine.

IFM is providing primary health care services at no out-of-pocket cost (no insurance or proof of residency required) at their community clinic at Youth & Family Center at 818 Cass Ave. The site also provides supportive services, including transportation to and from appointments, assistance with prescription medications, and access to a food pantry operated in partnership with the Center. Staff can also offer referrals to other agencies for help with necessities, financial assistance, and housing support.

After the tornado, the Covenant House Missouri experienced an influx of calls for emergency shelter and vital resources, ranging from food and comfort items to showers and charging stations. “Our community outreach services are needed more than ever, and our supply distribution has increased as well. The funding granted by The Opportunity Trust ensures that whenever a youth comes seeking our help, we can always say yes, even when our beds are full,” said Taylor Cook,  Director of Development at Covenant House Missouri.

 

2025 RBC Grantees

Covenant House Missouri – $10,000

Covenant House Missouri will expand its education-focused services, such as HiSET prep, college advising, and school enrollment support, for unhoused youth. The grant will also support the new Center for Economic Advancement, which connects young people with career credentials and post-secondary opportunities.

IFM Community Medicine – $5,000

IFM will provide no-cost primary care to housing-insecure youth at school, and shelter-based sites. The grant enables IFM to pair medical services with community health workers who connect youth to food, housing, and transportation resources.

Lafayette Preparatory Academy – $5,000

LPA will grow its Family Support Program, which covers basic needs like food, uniforms, utility assistance, and extracurricular scholarships. The program reduces non-academic barriers so students can remain focused and engaged in school.

KIPP St. Louis Public Schools – $2,500

KIPP will launch a Wellness Center initiative offering rental support, emergency supplies, and transportation to stabilize families facing homelessness. The program will pair direct assistance with case management to support long-term student attendance and success.

Behavioral Health Response (BHR) – $2,500

BHR will strengthen mobile crisis services for unhoused youth through its C3RT and CARE teams. Funds will help expand mobile unit hours and provide trauma-informed outreach, connecting youth to mental health support and housing stabilization services.

Gateway Science Academy (GSA) – $2,500

GSA will expand its backpack food program and install additional washers and dryers to serve students experiencing homelessness. The school will also provide transportation assistance and stipend a staff coordinator to oversee and sustain these initiatives.

 

To learn more about Reinvention by Community, visit theopportunitytrust.org/rbc.

 

READ ABOUT RBC GRANTEES ON THE ST. LOUIS AMERICAN