Superhero summer camp (2018- )
The Superhero Summer Camp program provided ongoing support to families with school-aged children, ages 6 through 14. Professional staff involved families in community activities and provided individual family support. LinkStL has consistently held the Superhero Summer Day Camp in Hyde Park for about 30 children. The Camp exposed children to environmental justice issues, nature, art projects, story writing, field trips, and many other experiences. Collaborations with LinkStL have initiated trauma-informed approaches with the campers. Many partners have been involved including Joshua House Ministries, Sierra Club, and Missouri Conservation. Previous funders include the Office of Violence Prevention (OVP), Horizon Housing Foundation, Franciscan Sisters of Mary, St. Louis Philanthropic Organization, The Nature Conservancy, Invest STL, and The Kerr Foundation.
hyde park spooktacular (2015 - )
LinkStL has facilitated 3 major annual events: Spooktacular, Art Goes North, and Pamper Me Mother and Daughter Back to School Event. LinkStL held its 8th annual Spooktacular event. This is a community volunteer event using Halloween as a neighborhood-building opportunity. For example, in 2022, over 1000 parents and children kept their Halloween celebration in their neighborhood park. Due to Covid, a socially distant ‘trunk or treat’ format has been primarily used. Volunteers from all over decorated the trunks of their cars.
afterschool program (2023-2024)
In 2023, we realized there was no local after-school program for children who needed supervision before their parents returned from work. In 2023, we launched an after-school program in Hyde Park. This program served about 15 children, five days a week during the school year. Our partners included Your Words, Black Girls Do STEAM, Men of Code, Missouri Department of Conservation, Communities First, St. Louis Public Library, YMCA, Dream Builders, and Greenhouse Collective Initiative.
Block units initiative (2021-2023)
For a variety of reasons, many households within the community, on the same block, and even next door to one another, do not become neighbors. As a result unwanted activity can occur without resistance. LinkStL called together neighbors, the Alderman and Neighborhood Stabilization Officer meeting at Most Holy Trinity to address block areas where drug sales were causing disruptive behavior. Residents shared experiences and reported addresses to the police for monitoring and action. (Funded by the Horizon Housing Foundation)
other community initiatives
LinkStL participates with United Way’s 100 Most Neediest, Alpha Kappa Alpha’s Thanksgiving Dinner Special, the 14th Ward’s Great Christmas Toy Giveaway, Hyde Park Neighborhood Association’s initiatives, 14th Ward Alderman’s community vision, and other local efforts.