ARCHS and its network of more than 400 funding and service delivery partners deliver the gift of lifelong learning to thousands of St. Louisans everyday – positively impacting the lives of our region’s most vulnerable citizens. Enjoy this video highlighting ARCHS’ committed and caring staff who provide strategic support around Pre-K, K-12 and Adult Education. Have a safe, healthy and happy holiday season.

St. Louis resident Shirley Gorman has been in the child care field for over 30 years. The majority has been spent as a school teacher, but for the past two years have been spent watching her three grandchildren ­– Zoe, Caleb and Kelsi – in her home while their parents work during the day.

While Gorman has extensive child care experience, she openly admits she still has a lot to learn when it comes to watching her grandchildren. Because of this, Gorman enrolled in ARCHS’ Educare to improve her home child care center.

“It’s been a great benefit. We sometimes become complacent when it comes to our grandchildren or children and ARCHS’ Educare has made me realize I need to do the same for my grandchildren as I would for any other child I would care for,” Gorman said. “I enrolled in Educare to receive all the help I could get to help educate them (the children). I’ve been receiving educational books, free workshops, CPR training and in-home visits from ARCHS’ staff.”

ARCHS' Board of Directors Chairman of the Finance Committee John Shivers III speaks to a Normandy High School class about building credit. Shivers believes he brings a strong network and financial presence to ARCHS' Board.Longtime area banker John Shivers III first met ARCHS’ Chief Executive Officer Wendell E. Kimbrough during their time as classmates in FOCUS’ Leadership St. Louis Program in 2007. The relationship would grow and lead to Shivers joining the ARCHS’ board and him becoming the current Chairman of the Finance Committee earlier this year.

“From our discussion, I believed there was a strong match and thought it would be a great opportunity to sit on ARCHS’ Board of Directors because it reaches so many St. Louis area not-for-profit agencies,” Shivers said. “ARCHS’ Board of Directors is one of the most productive boards I have been on. Everyone has something to contribute and it’s a very active board.”

Shivers is the Assistant Vice President of Retail Banking at Midwest BankCentre, and previously has over 25 years of experience in the local banking arena. During his career, he has focused on bank management, retail and business development, consumer and small business lending and community government relations.

St. Louis Public Schools (SLPS) Coordinator of After School Programs Judith King visits with a student at Henry Elementary during after school. SLPS funds the After School for All Partnership for St. Louis (ASAP) with $100,000 annually because it believes in the many positives after school programming brings to area students.ARCHS Funding Spotlight: On-going series of feature stories about the funders who entrust ARCHS with resources to provide vital community services to the St. Louis region.

The importance of after school programming to St. Louis Public Schools (SLPS) is highly evident.

"ARCHS commitment to SLPS students and their families remains unsurpassed," said SLPS Superintendent Dr. Kelvin Adams. "Now in its fourth year, the After School for All Partnership for St. Louis (ASAP) after school programs have proven to be a vital component in the district's efforts to provide high-quality after school programs designed to improve academic achievement."