I have been involved with numerous charitable organizations over the years, especially since 2018 when I opened my real estate firm, and have seen many worthwhile causes. I ran across one that really hit home with me recently, and 2 weeks ago, I was able to ride along with Michael Woods, CEO of Dream Builders 4 Equity, and Nikki Joseph, Operations Director, to one of their nearly completed home renovations in Hyde Park in North City, very well done, and their House of Vision in Old North St Louis, close to Crown Candy, where local youth and community members are selling their own products like apparel, art and authored books. I am very impressed with their vision and what they are accomplishing in this challenging part of our metro, and love the 4 main "pillars" they are focusing on - youth, residents, businesses and real estate. If more of us support communities that are employing and training their residents, and rebuilding their homes and businesses like this, we all win. Here is a statement from their website:

***We are tackling the vacant home epidemic plaguing the St. Louis region by employing local minority youth and contractors to do large scale community-led development projects - putting money and equity back in the pockets of people within the community while creating workforce development and scaling minority-owned contracting businesses.

While employed and participating in our Summer Academy and Apprentice Program, historically underserved youth develop the skills needed to succeed academically and professionally, while also retaining ownership and equity in the revitalized properties in the form of scholarship funds.

We ensure our development efforts protect against the displacement of current residents by providing renovations for seniors and grant support for property tax increases that disproportionately affect minority residents.

Our approach transforms neighborhoods that have been historically divested in into thriving communities where residents have the opportunity to live out their full potential.***

I have donated to their cause twice, and plan to continue. I hope you can as well! Here is their website for more info:

https://www.dreambuilders4equity.org/mission-and-vision