ARCHS has been awarded a $54,000 grant from Lutheran Foundation of St. Louis to provide culinary training to female ex-offenders.

Up to 15 adult women previously convicted of non-sex offenses and currently under state or federal supervision with probation and parole officers in St. Louis City or County will receive academic culinary training leading to "ServSafe" certification. They will also receive job training from St. Louis Community College (SLCC) and job placement, wrap around social services support, and life skills preparation from Employment Connection.

The training will allow the participants access to career paths as a chef, head cook, line cook, institutional cook, and more. According to a National Institute of Corrections Report, the number of incarcerated women has skyrocketed, at rates exceeding men.

"This unique partnership is a crucial component to decreasing the recidivism rates for these participants," said Les Johnson, ARCHS' Vice President of Grant Management Services. "They will have access to training by a nationally accredited and recognized culinary arts school, which will assist them with a second chance."

In 2007, ARCHS was awarded a U.S. Department of Labor Grant that included a culinary track in partnership with SLCC.

ARCHS was proud to welcome Steve Renne, Vice President of Children's Health and Medicaid Advocacy with the Missouri Hospital Association (MHA) and Chair of Missouri’s Family and Community Trust (FACT) Board of Directors, as the keynote speaker for its Sixth Annual Community Breakfast.

Renne gave insights into what is happening in Washington, D.C. and Jefferson City, MO, and the important role ARCHS can play as the impact of these changes take place over the coming months.

ARCHS' Board Chair Matt Matthews and Chief Executive Officer Wendell. E. Kimbrough gave remarks to the crowd as well. Kimbrough made several important announcements regarding new and expanded ARCHS’ programs that are featured in this month's newsletter.

• Community Breakfast Photo Gallery

From left: ARCHS' Executive Vice President Steve Brawley, Vice President of Grant Management Services Kristy Kight, Chief Executive Officer Wendell E. Kimbrough, Secretary of State Jason Kander, ARCHS' Chief Financial Officer Terry Blake, Vice President of Grant Management Services Amber Donnelly, and Vice President of Grant Management Services Les Johnson.Missouri Secretary of State Jason Kander visited ARCHS on Feb. 28 to learn about ARCHS’ expertise in the design, management, and evaluation of education and social service programs that annually serve more than 100,000 St. Louisans.

ARCHS updated the Secretary of State on the work of ARCHS and the other 19 Missouri Community Partnerships that comprise the Missouri Family and Community Trust (FACT) network.

• Secretary of State Visit Photo Gallery

Registration is open for ARCHS’ 2013 Early Childhood Science and Outdoor Learning Institute set for Saturday, May 4, 2013, 8 am to 3:30 pm, at Harris-Stowe State University.

This year’s Institute will feature Lisa Murphy - the ooey gooey lady® - and representatives from ARCHS, Accredited CPR Services, Gateway Greening, the Magic House, Monsanto, Missouri Department of Conservation, St. Louis Community College, Saint Louis Science Center, and Saint Louis Zoo.

$35 registration fee includes Institute materials and lunch. Up to six clock hours to be awarded.

Registration is only available online (see below).

• REGISTER FOR INSTITUTE (Choose from designated sessions)
• DOWNLOAD INSTITUTE BROCHURE