U.S. EPA Region 7 Administrator Karl Brooks speaks at an ARCHS' hosted forumThe name United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is synonymous with promoting clean and healthy communities. The name ARCHS is synonymous with building partnerships for the greater good of St. Louis.

Therefore, in 2007 when the EPA awarded ARCHS with a $100,000 grant to help area residents and small business owners learn how to safely dispose of hazardous waste items, ARCHS' St. Louis Area Communities Against Toxics Partnership (SLACAT) was born.

"(I take seriously) the agency's duty to make sure our work serves the legitimate needs of every American," said EPA Region 7 Administrator Karl Brooks in a letter to ARCHS. "The natural environment on which we all depend for life itself deserves everyone's respect. By the same token, as all must care, so all must see that their efforts on behalf on the environment are respected, welcomed and encouraged."

Ann L. Vasquez, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Lutheran Foundation of St. LouisPerhaps Lutheran Foundation of St. Louis’ commitment to helping the ex-offender population can best be summed up by the Hebrews Scripture it displays on its web site: “Remember those in prison as if you were their fellow prisoners, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering.”

Or, maybe it is the Foundation’s beliefs combined with a $12,000 grant it awarded to ARCHS to help support the recently expanded St. Louis Alliance for Reentry (STAR). The grant provides strategic management support to STAR as it connects reentry individuals to agencies working in coordination to strengthen the delivery of ex-offender services.

“We are interested in the church being brought into the lives of hurting people, and we include prisoners in those who are hurting,” said Ann Vasquez, President and Chief Executive Officer. “In general, the faith community has historically and still continues to be that welcoming and second chance support foundation to say we still love and care about you.”

St. Louis Mental Health Board Project Director Jan Ashbrook listens to jokes offered by some ASAP after school students at Peabody ElementaryFew organizations in the area can attest to how quality education-based environments can contribute to a child’s development as can the St. Louis Mental Health Board (MHB). Since 2006, MHB has seen the value of well-structured after school programs, and the positive results they can achieve.

There is a reason for MHB’s significant investment, $700,000 to be exact, in public after school programs, even though needs are great in other areas as well.

“Prior to the passage of Proposition K in November of 2004, we funded treatment programming through our Mental Health Fund,” said Don Cuvo, MHB’s Executive Director. “On the treatment side, we were able to see the results when after school services were not offered. When funding became available through the Community Children’s Services Fund, we were able to also direct funds toward areas of prevention.”

Wray Clay, Vice-President of United Way of Greater St. Louis Community Investment Initiatives. United Way of Greater St. Louis' theme of "Helping People" is an understatement when looking at the impact the organization has on the region. United Way brings the area together to help raise funding to support health and human services for 16 counties, which includes annual support for its member agencies that provide quality services to everyone from the elderly to children. With the community's support, over $67 million was raised in 2009 to support services and initiatives throughout Missouri and Illinois.

To achieve this, United Way has worked closely with ARCHS and other area organizations over the years to collaborate on important regional issues.

"We partner with ARCHS whenever we find the opportunity," said Wray Clay, Vice-President of United Way of Greater St. Louis Community Investment Initiatives. "It is called 'working smart' when we can leverage our resources with ARCHS' many resources, and ARCHS understands the need for the St. Louis area and community."