Our History

Founded in 1978, St. Louis Association of Community Organizations (SLACO) emerged from the vision of Fr. Gerald Kleba and a committed group of St. Louis residents who believed that neighborhoods across the city could achieve more by working together than by working alone. Guided by prayer and a shared sense of purpose, they developed the organization’s constitution, bylaws, and articles of incorporation, laying the foundation for a united community-based movement.

In its early years, SLACO faced significant financial challenges. Support gradually grew through partnerships with religious communities, non-Catholic Christian denominations, and funding from the Campaign for Human Development. This support provided the stability needed to expand the organization’s reach and impact throughout St. Louis.

A major turning point came with the hiring of Sister Mary Dolan as SLACO’s first Executive Director. Bringing years of experience from the Oakland Organizing Project in California, Sister Mary was known as smart, passionate, dedicated, empathetic, and deeply committed to long-term community organizing. After inviting her to St. Louis and sharing in prayer and conversation, SLACO’s leadership quickly recognized her exceptional abilities and hired her almost immediately. Under her leadership, the organization’s structure and organizing strategies began to take shape. Grants secured during this period established a strong financial foundation and enabled SLACO to approach businesses and institutions with confidence and determination.

As neighborhood meetings continued throughout the city, residents discovered that communities on both the north and south sides of St. Louis were facing many of the same challenges. Concerns about vacant properties, overgrown weeds, deteriorating housing, health and safety issues, loitering, and unemployment were widespread. These conversations raised an important question: would neighborhoods compete for limited resources, or unite to confront the city’s growing problems together? SLACO chose collaboration and collective action.

Recognizing widespread building vacancy as a major cause of urban decline in St. Louis, SLACO became deeply involved in neighborhood redevelopment efforts. In 1985, the organization partnered in the Fairfax Court development, helping build 28 new homes in the Vandeventer neighborhood. From 1989 to the present, SLACO has partnered in the development of more than 500 homes and apartments across multiple St. Louis neighborhoods, contributing to revitalization efforts citywide.

Throughout its history, SLACO has also been a strong advocate for neighborhood quality of life. The organization has confronted issues such as slum landlords, real estate speculation, problem bars, and the sale of 40-ounce bottles that often contributed to litter and unsafe conditions in parks, streets, and sidewalks. Through organizing, advocacy, and collaboration, SLACO has remained committed to strengthening neighborhoods and improving the lives of St. Louis residents.