Sisters Carol Lehmkuhl and Mary Ann Buhr and their dedicated staff and volunteers are the backbone of the East Side Heart & Home Family Center's transformative ministry. Their unwavering commitment and tireless efforts continue to make a profound difference in the lives of our community members in East St. Louis, Illinois. Their dedication is a testament to the power of community and the impact we can make when we work together.
This inclusive leadership model is woven into the center’s mission—to invite individuals from varied backgrounds to be catalysts for change by providing them with opportunities to work side-by-side on programs and projects that cultivate positive changes in their lives and communities.
The Center offers a comprehensive range of alternative education programs that cater to different learning needs and styles and foster a love of learning. These include a youth program, tuition assistance, educational field trips, and home ownership and maintenance courses. The Center promotes education through its Read and Ride Club and the Back-to-School Supply Drive. The Club is not just about riding and reading; it's about opening up new worlds of fun and learning for inner-city youth and their families.
This summer’s Read and Ride Club seamlessly combined literacy and play. Families had fun riding together and learning at the same time. Mr. Harold Bailey led approximately 25 children, teens, and adults in this year’s program. During each Saturday trip, the individuals rode their bicycles on trails around the Metro Area, stopping for picnic lunches and ending up at the library to discuss a popular children’s novel. An overnight campout was the culmination of the six-week program.
Since the start of the school year in mid-August, the back-to-school supply drive at the East Side Heart & Home Family Center has been a resounding success. The Amazon wish list, published on our Facebook page, has seen numerous donations. Undoubtedly, the Center's participants have returned to school stronger in mind, body, and spirit, thanks to the generous support of the community!