About Us
The Metro East Organizing Coalition is grassroots, faith-based community transformation initiative created for the express purpose of building a personal and collective growth culture in the Metro East area and East St. Louis in particular. We are committed to ending gun violence and mass incarceration. We are a movement for racial and economic dignity. We mobilize communities of faith to build power. We propose to implement proven strategies steeped in public health culture to integrate a group violence intervention, hospital linked violence prevention program and a community help center to create a trusted space for residents to reach out and touch.
The social bonds that are created at community help centers build strong, safe and inclusive communities; social interaction, volunteerism, civic pride and aesthetics all play a role. After-school programs can help deter at-risk youth from criminal activities and can provide a constructive environment.
Metro East Organizing Coalition has been very active in the East St. Louis Metro Area has been active in many ways. To name a few things;
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Peace Walks in the John D. Shields Apartment Complex
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Peace Walks in Greystone Apartment Complex
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Peace walks in The Samuel Gompers
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Gave out toys and food in hotspot areas of the city
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Sponsored a youth movie night at East St. Louis City Hall
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Hosting Monthly Organizing Training in person pre-Covid and currently via zoom
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Organized Peace Week for East St. Louis
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Worship Service at St. Luke
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Community Silent March for Peace
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Movie Night
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Pastor’s Theological Training Brunch
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Resume Development Workshop
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Career Job Day EXPO
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Middle School Reading Day
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Led the East St. Louis census campaign (No Count No Cut)
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Donated several thousand PPE kits during Covid and still distributing
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Hosted Gun Violence Town Hall
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Hosted Mental Health and Covid19 virtual event
Our theory of change includes creating projects to link East St. Louis residents to opportunities for:
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Violence Intervention
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Income Development
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Food Security
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Parenting Assistance
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Adult education
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Youth Services
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Entrepreneurial Training
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Resource Information
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Women’s Self Help Groups
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Mentoring