The Junior Writer's Club met Thursday, November 2nd at The Assistance League of St. Louis, located right down the street in Ellisville, where they were able to tour this amazing non-profit as well as help organize previously donated books for their upcoming book fairs.

The Assistance League is an incredible non-profit organization that has been making a positive impact on local communities for decades. With 120 chapters across the United States, the League is a powerful force for good and is dedicated to serving the needs of those who are less fortunate. Their mission is simple yet incredibly impactful: to empower people who have lost everything and help them get back on their feet.

 

What I find particularly inspiring about the Assistance League is its commitment to providing high-quality, essential items to those in need. When someone has lost everything, it can be difficult to know where to go. Thanks to the generous donations of individuals and organizations, the League can gift people with new shoes, warm clothes, household items, toiletries, and more. These aren't just any items, they are carefully picked to ensure that they are of the highest quality so that the people who get them can feel comfortable and confident as they work to rebuild their lives.

Junior Writer, Claire Eltoft, explained, "It was eye-opening to learn about the thoughtful ways the Assistance League helps people in need in the St. Louis area. From giving books to kids to giving pajamas to women escaping domestic abuse, the organization improves people's lives in many ways and it was nice to learn about how they did it. It was also a good reminder to not take common items like toothbrushes and socks for granted!"

 

Stephen Xavier, a fellow junior writer agreed with me saying, "The tour of the Assistance League showed me to be more grateful for the things I had and be thankful for the opportunities around me. As we started to label books, I didn’t think it would be that fun. But while doing it, I realized that we were not just labeling books, we were spreading hope and joy to kids all around the state of Missouri. I felt proud of myself for partaking in such a great opportunity." 

 

Overall, the Assistance League is an organization that truly makes a difference in the lives of millions of people across the United States. With committed volunteers who have contributed over 14.6 million hours of service, the League has served 5.7 million people and returned $158 million to local communities. And every donation, no matter how small, counts because it's thanks to the generosity of individuals and organizations that the League can continue its important work and help those who need it most.  

To learn more about how you can help, please visit www.alstl.org.

***Our next Junior Writer meeting will be on Sunday, January 28th at Maryville's Interactive STEM Studio within the Chesterfield Mall. We will get a tour of the space, learn about the different courses they offer and participate in a hands-on intro to robotics by using Sphero Robots. If you’d like to join us, just scan the QR code.