Historical March 1981 community-service report. Services, eligibility, phone numbers and dates refer to that period, not current assistance guidance.
The VIP Downtown Center, Inc., a multi-purpose senior center that is part of the St. Louis Area Agency on Aging system, is now providing case management services, under a new program – the VIP Outreach/Case Management Project.
According to Woenia Rice, project director, the purpose of this project is to assist frail and isolated older people who are having a difficult time managing on their own in the community, and who may need assistance in locating the kinds of resources that could make it easier for them to continue living independently.
The project employs four workers whose duties include: making home visits to help individuals decide what kind of assistance they need and, when possible, helping individuals more fully utilize the strengths and resources they already have (friends, families, church affiliations, etc.). Who may be in need of case management services? Individuals experiencing many problems at once and who may need a number of services to remedy these problems.
Persons in need of some type of assistance but is having a difficult time pinpointing the problem. Older adults in need of some type of advocacy or social support. How is a referral made to the VIP Outreach/Case Management Project?
If you know of individuals who could make use of this service, either the individual can call directly, or you may call and refer a person to the project.
The number to call is: 622-3722. March, 1981 the Paper page 7 A Stable Neighborhood Church Grows Out Of Movement by Ray Breun Delmar Baptist Congregation will be 104 years old this month.
It was 29 March 1877, Holy Thursday evening, when 125 or so persons met in a frame chapel behind the Central Presbyterian Church at Garrison and Lucas Avenues.
The chapel was closer to Morgan Street (now Delmar Boulevard) on Garrison and the new congregation decided to style itself the Garrison Avenue Baptist Church. That first chapel was only 35 by 70 feet and cost the assembly $718.00.
However, the land it was on was leased.
Two years later, April 1879, the lease ran out and the congregation had to move.
They put the chapel on rollers and moved it down the street two blocks west to the corner of Compton and Morgan Streets. That was the first of many westward moves for that Baptist body. Like most other institutions of St. Louis, it moved west as the city expanded and changed: Still known as the Garrison Avenue Baptist Church, the mid-1880’s found the assembly looking toward Grand Avenue as the new residential area.
They thought about building at the corner of Grand and Washington Avenues.
A gift of $5000.00 for land at the corner of Delmar and Spring changed their minds and the name of their church.
From 1884 to the present, because of the move to Delmar and Spring, the church has been known as the Delmar Baptist Church.
The new building cost $18,000.00, but it was worth it — until the Third Baptist Church moved from Fourteenth and Clark to Grand and Washington in late 1884. That put too much pressure on the smaller Delmar Baptist Church and an attempt was made by Third Baptist to incorporate its smaller competitor. Instead of bowing under, Delmar Baptist bought new land and built a $40,000.00 facility at the corner of Delmar and Pendelton.
This new location was dedicated 25 September 1892.
The congregation had 419 members and a large debt! Less than 13 years later, Delmar Baptist had no debt and no church building.
The last service at the Pendelton and Delmar corner was held 29 August 1915.
The congregation wandered thereafter for nearly four years. Progress toward a final resolution of the problem came on 1 June 1916 when a lot at the corner of Skinker and Washington was purchased from Grace Methodist Church for $10,025.00.
It was 1918, however, before construction could begin.
The war had cut into all plans, and not until 1 October 1918, six weeks before the armistice, was the first spade of dirt turned at the new location. Dedication came during the week of 1-8 June 1919. Special services were held each evening during that ogdoad.
It would take $130,000.00 to pay for it all, but Delmar Baptist Church finally had a home it would keep.
An educational building was added in June 1927, rounding out the physical plant to its current appearance.
A new organ and much interior refurbishment went in during 1974 and 1975.
Two years later, 29 March 1977, the congregation celebrated its centennial anniversary. Like its ecclesiastical neighbors, it contributes directly to the support of SkinkerDeBaliviere Community Council.
The third floor gymnasium as well as the tenant school are part of the educational and recreational fabric of the neighborhood.
The history of this peripatetic congregation presaged its strength and durability. Its new pastor, the Reverend Samuel R. Binch, has 104 years of amazing grace to look back upon in planning and living the present. Hotline Needs Help The office is in the Clayton area.
The specific location is not made public for security reasons and to ensure confidentiality for volunteers and callers alike.
An orientation to the office is part of the training. Volunteers commit themselves to 8 hours of service per month. Training classes begin the evening of March 10. Please call CONTACT’s business office – 725-5719 – for further information and an application. Joan F. Smith Interim Administrator NEW LISTING 6140 McPherson Exceptionally well maintained 3 story brick, 4 bdrms; 11/2 baths. Updated kitchen; utility rm on 1st all purpose rm on 3rd. Walk to Wash. U. & Trans. Immediate possession. LAURA McCARTHY, INC. Agent Clara Lowenstein: 725-5100 721-7161 LONELY? DEPRESSED? ANXIOUS? TROUBLES WITH YOUR KIDS, MARRIAGE, JOB? ON DRUGS… DRINKING… CAN’T COPE? NOWHERE TO TURN? Call CONTACT anytime of day or night — and talk with a trained counselor — someone who cares, who’ll listen and help you sort things through — help you discover your own strengths and goals, or point you to other resources in the community.
Sometimes it just helps to talk things over! Call CONTACT — St. Louis 24 hours a day 7 days a week 725- 302 2 St. Charles: Enterprise 4114:: Totally Confidential by Joan F. Smith CONTACT-St. Louis, an ecumenical telephone ministry, is in need of volunteers for its helpline for people in crisis situations or those suffering from loneliness or any other problem that requires the help of an anonymous, accepting friend. Volunteers are given 50 hours of training in active listening techniques and attend lectures on major life issues such as marriage and family, loneliness, grief, alcoholism and substance abuse, suicide. LITTLE SISTER
Originally published in The Paper, March 1981.
Read this article in the original newspaper issue.
Original source: SD_Times1981_03.pdf, printed page(s) 7; PDF page(s) 7.
