Community Empowerment
Empowering Families Through Impactful Programs.

The Urban League works to stabilize families so that empowered clients may focus on empowering their lives and changing their communities.  The basic needs of food, clothing and shelter must first be met and available for clients and their families so they can then strive for economic self-sufficiency.

LIHEAP / Energy Assistance 

The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) is the main federal program that helps low-income households and seniors with their utility bills, providing vital assistance during both the winter and summer. 

Utility Assistance 

The Utility Assistance Program is supported through the generosity of the Ameren Dollar More Program, Illinois Energy Foundation Warm Neighbors Cool Friends Program, Heat-Up St. Louis, Cool Down St. Louis, the Emergency Food and Shelter Program and the City of St. Louis. 

Food & Clothing 

The Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis operates three Food Pantries in the Urban League’s St. Louis City, St. Louis County and St. Clair County offices. The Urban League is a member of the St. Louis Area Food Bank and Operation Food Search, which allows us to purchase food at little or no cost for distribution to families in need. In addition,  Clothing at the Clothes Closet is available for all family members.

100 Neediest Families

The Urban League serves nearly 1,000 low-income families through the United Way/Post Dispatch 100 Neediest Cases Programs. The Urban League also adopts over 300 families during the holiday season. The majority of adopted families receive numerous boxes containing items such as bed linens, clothing, shoes, appliances, etc. Families also receive gift certificates and financial aid. 

Housing / Rental Assistance

The Housing Department provides individual and group counseling along with community partners to educate residents on financial capabilities, credit and money management, pre-and post-purchase housing counseling, loss mitigation outreach sessions and advocacy for fair housing.

Community Mobile Health Unit

The Community Mobile Health Unit brings medical care to residents lacking basic health insurance coverage rather than waiting for them to seek care which may or may not happen, and if it does, may be dangerously delayed.

Annual Turkey Distribution 

The Urban League and TIAA Bank distributed 2,000 free pre-packaged Thanksgiving meals to low-to-moderate income residents. Thanks to major sponsorships by TIAA Bank and Schnucks Markets Inc.

Senior Empowerment Series

The Urban League hosted Senior Empowerment Forums at various locations for senior citizens. The forums featured presentations on senior services, transportation, health and wellness. Lunch, gifts and clothing giveaways were also provided to the residents.