Kristen Gumper advocates for Marion Middle School funding amidst challenges

The St. Louis Public Safety Committee convened on July 10, 2025, to discuss critical funding for community programs aimed at supporting youth in underprivileged areas. A significant focus of the meeting was the funding request from Marion Middle School, which serves girls from impoverished backgrounds. Kristen Gumper, the school's development director, emphasized the importance of the funding in continuing their LYNX program, which provides safe after-school activities and networking opportunities for girls facing challenges such as violence and poverty. Gumper highlighted the transformative impact of their programs, sharing stories of students who have overcome adversity with the school's support.

The committee also heard from representatives of the Roosevelt Community Council and Believe It Youth Organization, both of which expressed concerns about their funding status and the challenges they faced in previous years. Nora Ryan from Roosevelt detailed how delays in funding approval and transportation issues hindered their after-school programs, while Joy Smith from Believe It Youth Organization advocated for their initiatives that teach valuable skills to local youth.

During the meeting, committee members debated the allocation of funds, with some advocating for a reallocation from larger organizations that have received funding multiple times to support smaller, emerging programs. Vice Chair Aldrich proposed an amendment to redistribute $60,000 from established organizations to those that presented their cases during the meeting. However, this motion faced opposition, with some members stressing the importance of adhering to the Office of Violence Prevention's (OVP) recommendations, which had evaluated the funding requests.

The discussion underscored the ongoing challenges faced by community organizations in securing funding and the need for a more streamlined process to ensure timely support for programs that directly impact the lives of St. Louis youth. As the committee moves forward, the emphasis remains on finding a balance between supporting established programs and fostering new initiatives that address the pressing needs of the community.