I’ve been doing my internship with DeSales Community Housing for a couple months, and I’ve greatly appreciated the work that the organization has done for the surrounding neighborhoods and St. Louis as a whole. The work that I’ve gotten to participate in has been fulfilling and enjoyable. As a whole, DeSales is incredibly dedicated to the neighborhoods they work in and to the people who they work with. From top management positions all the way down to volunteer positions, everyone who is involved in the organization genuinely cares about the community and wants to better it in some way.
As a small business manager in the neighborhood, I really appreciate everything that DeSales does for the community. They help sponsor our Fox Park events and even let us use their space for the East of Grand Business Association. They also put on their own large fundraiser every year, which has gotten great results. DeSales does great things for the community and they couldn't be more happy or nicer about it!
I have known DeSales Community Housing Corporation since moving into the Tower Grove East neighborhood in St. Louis in 2012. As soon as we got involved in our neighborhood association, we learned what a vital role DeSales plays in the life of our community. They are active at every neighborhood meeting and community event, help support local businesses, and work to assure a healthy housing stock for our lower-income neighbors. Our neighborhood is definitely a better place thanks to DeSales' involvement.
DeSales Community Development does important work preserving and managing affordable housing in St. Louis City. In addition, their youth sports and recreation program, SouthSide Rec, provides free and extremely low-cost youth activities that bring the whole community together and bring life to public spaces.
DeSales Community Development is a really inspiring organization that does amazing work for the St. Louis neighborhoods of Fox Park and Tower Grove East. I chose to volunteer with them as an Americorps VISTA because I could see how much of an impact they had on the people they served. Not only does DeSales develop affordable housing, but they also provide social services and community programs for their neighborhoods. They truly offer well-rounded community development services, and their work has had a significant impact for over 40 years.
I am currently serving as an AmeriCorps VISTA with DeSales Community Development. I sought out a community development corporation with the hope of learning more about affordable housing and neighborhood revitalization. I chose DeSales because of their long time commitment (over 40 years!) to Fox Park and Tower Grove East and because their staff was very welcoming. DeSales has supported my interests and work style during my time volunteering and they have taken their time to assist with what I need and advise me in my tasks. The staff members are obviously dedicated to DeSales' mission and personally care about the community. They take the time to engage with residents sincerely and pursue projects that fit with the community's needs and wants. In my own role coordinating DeSales' youth programs, I have seen first hand how children and families have benefited from the low-cost activities in the local park. Overall, DeSales has been a positive experience and I encourage anyone who is interested in community development to learn more about this organization.
I have been working as an intern at DeSales this semester and have truly enjoyed my time here. The staff is great, and the work that the organization is really interesting and valuable. DeSales does everything from managing and improving housing stock to running youth programs, so there really is something for everyone with an interest in neighborhoods and communities.
DeSales provides something at nearly every level that's important to a neighborhood. On a "macro" level, DeSales helps to ensure there's affordable apartments in the Fox Park and Tower Grove East neighborhoods (two of my favorite neighborhoods in the city!). On a community level, DeSales provides great activities for kids and adults alike in these neighborhoods. On the individual level, DeSales provides direct services to residents of their affordable housing and in the neighborhood at large. I'm glad DeSales is part of my community!