Programs
SLACO Takes Action
Campaigns Over the Years Have Run the Gamut
SLACO has led numerous action campaigns during its history. Currently SLACO is focused on reducing Vacancy, improving relations between neighborhoods, and fostering dialogue between the community and the police.
Among past advocacy efforts, one of the most fruitful was the Community Air Project, a 2000-2002 effort to highlight air pollution issues in City neighborhoods. This project led to community-wide conversation about school bus idling, as well as a focus on the fact that air pollution impacts residential neighbors–not simply industrial areas–heavily.
SLACO led efforts to ban the sale of single 40-ounce beer bottles within the City in 1994 and 1995. The ban has saved an estimated 9 million bottles per year since 1995. Because recycling values for glass are low, especially when compared to aluminum cans, many glass containers previously ended up broken in parks or along sidewalks.
Another important campaign was the Walk with Your Neighbors initiative, funded in part by Missouri Foundation for Health. Hats and pedometers were distributed to participating neighborhoods, and in the West End, security was provided for the walking clubs.
Elsewhere in the City, SLACO picketed slumlords, fought with grocery store chains to keep stores open in underserved communities, and argued successfully in public venues to close down bars that were operating illegally or generating a public nuisance. Legislative and administrative wins have included advancing legislation to curb property speculation and an ordinance to revise the City’s liquor ordinance. As well as housing partnerships resulting in development of nearly 500 units of new housing in the City of St. Louis.
SLACO members have organized aggressive efforts to reduce crime, often through close partnerships with the Police Department. SLACO also supported the siting of a police sub-station at the Etzel Place Apartments leasing office, where SLACO offices are located. This effort coordinated with the West End Neighbors’ leadership in adopting the Neighborhood Ownership Model as put forth by the St. Louis Circuit Attorney’s Office.
Selected Highlights from SLACO's 40 years of programs:
Celebrating 40 years as an advocate for Neighborhoods and the City Louis Community
Received 2018 CDA funding and CREA Funding to continue the Neighborhoods United for Change #NU4Change
Participated in the education of our neighborhood members in the Prop NS vacancy stabilization bond issue.
Successful implementation of the SLACO Vacancy LRA Sub Committee “Finest 15” Program
All Programs
Home Repair Loan Program
Loan Details for major and minor home repairsloan amounts from $1.5k-10knot credit score drivenNO appraisal neededNO collateral requiredloan to value not a factor Neighborhoods West EndFountain ParkAcademy-Sherman ParkTiffanyForest Park Southeast Process Download our...
Revealing Our Humanity
In 2014 the St. Louis region became the epicenter of tensions between police forces and communities of color with the killing of Michael Brown by police officer Darren Wilson. Suddenly, the strained relationship, that had existed for decades, was a national news...
Etzel Community Center Programs
After School Program SLACO has a free after-school program in the Etzel Community Center. Neighborhood Houses, an organization highly experienced in delivering quality after-school programs, manages all aspects of the program under contract with...
Gateway Neighborhood Fund
SLACO has partnered with the Gateway Neighborhood Fund to provide financial assistance for home repair, home remodeling or home purchase in these eight St Louis City neighborhoods; Baden, North Pointe, Walnut Park West, Walnut Park East, West End, Hamilton Heights,...
Neighborhood History Project
Activating History to Promote Resilient Communities: The Importance of Neighborhood Histories SLACO has recently received a grant from the Missouri Humanities Council for our proposal Activating History to Promote Resilient Communities: The Importance of...
Keeping It Clean (KIC) Neighborhood Beautification and Employment initiative Institute 2021
The mission of the Keeping It Clean (KIC) Neighborhood Beautification and Employment Initiative Institute is to create another opportunity for an equitable and just society by advancing successful practices of younger resident training and engagement. We...
Emerging Leaders Institute 2021
The mission of the SLACO Emerging Leaders Institute is to create an equitable and just society by advancing successful practices of younger resident training and engagement. We shall do this with opportunities to further 15 younger citizens participation in public...
Neighborhoods United for Change 2021
The mission of the SLACO Community Development and Engagement Institute is to create an equitable and just society by advancing successful practices of resident training and engagement city wide. We shall do this with opportunities to further citizen...
Vacancy Committee
Vacancy Approaches Seen as Critical to the Success of Neighborhoods The scourge of vacancy in St. Louis developed over many years for many reasons and needs a variety of approaches and time to address it. Vacant properties pose many problems, including: Attracting...
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SLACO is a 501(c)3 Non-Profit Organization that survives upon your donations. If you appreciate our work, be sure to help us continue it.