To our partners, our city, and our state:

It’s been six years since Saint Louis was the forefront of international headlines showing the beginning of the Black Lives Matter movement in response to the death of Michael Brown. A history of inequitable public policy, police brutality, and accepted discriminatory attitudes led to an outcry for change.

Today, the pain is even greater with the COVID-19 pandemic taking lives, jobs, and educational opportunities from many. The same message Black Lives Matter started with has become amplified. Demonstrators from across the nation, in metropolises and rural towns, and of every socioeconomic upbringing are uniting to take to the streets and speak up against racial injustice. We applaud peaceful demonstrations and taking advantage of one of our most powerful first amendment rights.  

For 22 years, ARCHS’ efforts have evolved with news headlines and the needs of our neighborhoods. Now more than ever, ARCHS is committed to serve chronically under resourced St. Louisans to disrupt cycles of intergenerational poverty and trauma. We strategically work hands-on with our funded partners to create successful child care facilities, schools, youth development programs, and workforce development initiatives. 

In the coming weeks, ARCHS will be announcing new investments that will address the unmet, and often ignored needs, of crime victims and victimized communities. This is an example of ARCHS’ focus on long-term systems building. 

As we unfortunately stand at the same intersections of deep-rooted racial animosity, poverty, unemployment, and lack of educational opportunity, ARCHS will renew its efforts to advance equitable public policy that makes profound and meaningful differences in people’s lives. 

Sincerely,




Wendell E. Kimbrough
ARCHS Chief Executive Officer

Effective March 17, 2020, ARCHS will temporarily close its public offices. ARCHS’ staff will be working remotely to provide strategic technical assistance and support to our network of funded partners who are on the frontlines of service enhancing the lives of our region’s most resource-deprived children and families.

During this challenging time, we will maintain close communication with our partners to ensure our supported programs continue to operate at maximum capacity. ARCHS’ representatives will be in touch with our partners to assist with any operational issues.

If you are unable to reach your ARCHS’ representative through normal means of email or phone, please email us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and we will forward your message to the appropriate personnel.

As the world, nation, and St. Louis community face this moment in history, we know our common bonds of empathy and service will guide us.

• Nearly $5,000 of materials and supplies (diapers, clothing, hygiene supplies, baby monitors, rent assistance, etc.) was given by ARCHS' partner Annie Malone Children & Family Service Center's Parent Advocacy Program to stabilize the family unit and prevent children from entering foster care. 
  
• ARCHS support allowed St. Louis Arc to loan an average of 191 pieces of therapeutic equipment per month to families of children with special developmental needs. 100% of those families reported improvement in their child's target area of development as a result of equipment use.
• ARCHS' partner Hopewell Center provided 857 mental health therapy sessions to more than 150 students and delivered training to more than 70 parents and teachers so they can better assess behavioral and emotional disorders. 
• ARCHS support allowed the Foster and Adoptive Care Coalition Extreme Recruitment Program to connect more than 30 children between ages 10-18, the most difficult age group to place, with safe and appropriate relatives. 

Click on the infographic below for a more in-depth look at all of ARCHS' Child Safety Initiatives and the impact in St. Louis, or watch our video here.