Civic Progress Donates more than $ 600,000 to Programs Making a Difference in the Lives of St . Louis Area Residents
Civic Progress , an organization of top executives from the largest companies in the St . Louis area , recently recognized the efforts of four community programs making a difference in the lives of St . Louis area residents with donations totaling $ 614,000 .
The donations are part of a larger commitment by Civic Progress to contribute $ 2 million over the next four years to improve the quality of life and economic opportunities for young people in the St . Louis region , particularly in North County areas . This is in addition to the tens of millions of dollars Civic Progress members , their companies and families are donating to Forward Through Ferguson .
During a press conference Monday , George Paz , president of Civic Progress and chairman of Express Scripts , presented checks to representatives from each of the local organizations being honored for their accomplishments : $ 100,000 — Urban League of Metropolitan St . Louis for its Community Empowerment Center , currently under construction at the former QuikTrip site in Ferguson . This donation brings Civic Progress ’ total investment in this Urban League project to $ 245,000 .• $ 100,000 — Better Family Life for its community outreach efforts to transform at-risk individuals and reclaim highcrime neighborhoods . $ 164,000 — UM-St . Louis for its School Leadership for Innovation and Design Master ’ s degree and certification program , helping to not only transform schools by improving teaching and student learning , but also supporting growth in our educational systems , communities and the region as a whole . In addition :•‒ $ 100,000 — Riverview Gardens School District to fund fellowships in this master ’ s degree and certification program ‒ $ 50,000 — Ferguson-Florissant School District to fund fellowships in this master ’ s degree and certification program $ 100,000 — STL Youth Jobs to fund employment for 40 at-risk youth this summer .
“ These organizations typify the commitment and vision our community needs to advance the priorities identified by the Ferguson Commission to drive economic growth and collaboration in the St . Louis region and make a tangible difference in people ’ s lives ,” Paz said . “ Civic Progress is proud to support their efforts and will continue to evaluate more opportunities to