Historical April 1981 report or notice. Original dates, prices and contacts describe the source period; current availability has not been established.
In 1976, after Henry Hall completed two years of service in the newly created Breitmayer Ministry, Selma Wesley came to Grace Church with a Methodist background and a Masters Degree in Social Work from the University of Missouri, Columbia. Ms. Wesley had an impact on the Skinker-DeBaliviere neighborhood. Contacts and referrals were made with other community-based organizations. Evening and after school community youth groups were formed. Ms. Wesley secured the services of practicum students from Washington University and assisted disadvantaged city children in obtaining jobs through a program titled “The Street Academy”.
She counseled and worked with former drug offenders and battered women.
One of her most significant contributions was the direction of the Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP) in cooperation with the Skinker-DeBaliviere Community Council. SYEP is financed by the St. Louis Agency on Training and Employment and is sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor.
The program is designed to enhance the employability of youth, aged 14-21, from economically and educationally disadvantaged backgrounds. SYEP, initiated by Ms. Wesley, has had a positive effect on neighborhood residents both young and old:
Originally published in The Paper, April 1981.
Read this article in the original newspaper issue.
Archival transcription note: The reported 1976 succession after two years of Henry Hall’s service conflicts with the March 1981 account’s March 1975 start. No silent correction.
Original source: SD_Times1981_04.pdf, printed page(s) 2; PDF page(s) 2.
