As St. Louis families recover from recent tornadoes, six local organizations receive $27,000 in microgrants from The Opportunity Trust’s Reinvention by Community initiative to bolster housing stability and student support during this critical time.
As St. Louis families work to rebuild after the recent tornadoes, the need for housing stability and student support has become even more urgent. Six local organizations have received a total of $27,000 in microgrants from The Opportunity Trust’s Reinvention by Community (RBC) initiative—support that arrives at a critical moment. The grants, ranging from $2,500 to $10,000, will fund grassroots, community-driven solutions for youth experiencing housing instability and help meet the intensified needs facing families across the region.
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 providing school-based essentials and housing support, each project meets a critical need identified by committee members living within these communities.
Since its inception, Reinvention by Community has invested nearly $300,000 in local people and organizations reimagining public education in St. Louis. This year’s grant cycle underscores the value of placing trust in community members to identify and lead solutions.
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.
###
About The Opportunity Trust:
The Opportunity Trust is a nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing educational equity and excellence. Through strategic investments, policy advocacy, and innovative programs, The Opportunity Trust works to ensure that all students, regardless of
St. Louis tornado relief, housing stability, student support, microgrants, community rebuilding, Opportunity Trust, Reinvention by Community, disaster recovery, local organizations
#StLouis #TornadoRecovery #CommunitySupport #HousingStability #StudentSupport #Microgrants #OpportunityTrust #ReinventionByCommunity #DisasterRecovery
