Join Us at the
36th Caring Communities
Anniversary Celebration
In the fashion of a “family reunion,” Caring Communities friends, supporters, community leaders, former staff, state partners and families are invited to join in the launch of the Caring Communities Oral History Project, a digitization of the records, books, briefs, videos, news clippings, pictures and newly released oral recordings about Caring Communities. The theme of the 36th Anniversary is “Connecting and Remembering Caring Communities.”
Friday, May 16, 2025 7-10 pm &
Saturday, May 17, 2025 5:30-9:30 p.m.
Elam King III, Wendell Kimbrough, Veronica Banks, William "Bill" Dent and Khatib Waheed take a moment to pose after a planning meeting about the 36th CCP Anniversary Celebration
St. Louis Caring Communities was a highly acclaimed school-based, public-private partnership initially located at Walbridge Elementary School at 5019 Alcott Avenue. Khatib A.F. Waheed was Co-Architect and Director of Walbridge Caring Communities Program, which was initially funded by the Danforth Foundation, Missouri Department of Mental Health, Missouri Department of Health, Missouri Departments of Elementary & Secondary Education, and Missouri Department of Social Services. Performance evaluations led to the expansion of the program from one to twenty sites across the metropolitan area.
The keynote speaker is Dr. Kelvin Adams, former Superintendent of St. Louis Public Schools. Cultural performances by Young Men of Vision led by Marlon Wharton, poetry by Cheryl D.S. Walker, witty stories performed by Ojo the Storyteller, spins by DJ Willpower are a few of the entertainment highlights that will be enjoyed over the two nights.
Testimonials, historic footage, and scrumptious food compliment the two-day celebration. The fee is $75.00 per person for the two-day adult-centered event.
Purchase your tickets
St. Louis Caring Communities Video Library
All Videos
All Videos
Caring Communities Teen Drop In Center Grand Opening
Khatib Waheed Veronica Banks with Bernie Hayes #BH 887 KhatibWaheed&VeronicaBanksdated5 16 25NewHD
Tale of Two Schools: GREAT EXPECTATIONS
Neighborhoods Under Siege Khatib A F Waheed Caring Communities
Our Families Our Future Hosted by Walter Cronkite
Walbridge Caring Communities | Elam King: “When to Act: Now or Later?”
CCP Records Accepted at State Historical Society.
Former CCP staffer Denise Carter helps to sort and categorize original documents of the St. Louis Caring Communities
A.J Medlock Coordinator of St. Louis Research Center, examines records from St. Louis Caring Communities
Some projects begin as a single idea but never reach fruition. Other ideas are the beginning of a legacy. For over 35 years former Caring Communities Operations Manager Veronica Banks stored and maintained original records, books, articles, briefs, books, pictures, newspaper clippings, booklets, research papers about Caring Communities, the school-based, public-private partnership that gained national acclaim.
As the Operations Manager, Banks was responsible for organizing the site visits to Caring Communities from across the country and globally. She recognized the value of the Caring Communities lessons learned; Banks dreamed of having the resources placed in an archival library or historical institution.
"We are excited to re-connect and celebrate the 36th anniversary and the launch of the Caring Communities Oral History project. The oral history project chronicles the historical milestones of Caring Communities with digitization, oral recordings and a website dedicated to Caring Communities history," said Veronica Banks.
Walbridge Caring Communities Program was a highly acclaimed pilot program that began in St. Louis on May 15, 1989. Wrap-around services were provided to students and families in the crime-infested neighborhood of Walnut Park. These included counseling, substance abuse counseling, crisis intervention, day treatment, pre-employment, after school tutoring, latchkey, health liaison, student assistance and anti-gang/anti-drug activities.
A successful evaluation of Walbridge Caring Communities Program resulted in the expansion of the program sites from 1 to 20 sites across the city of St. Louis; over a thirteen year period. Delegates and representatives from all over the world visited Walbridge Caring Communities; across the United States, some from Amsterdam and also Israeli. "So I kept everything packed up with a dream that the resources would be available to future generations. For this to be happening is a dream come true" Banks stated.
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