June 18, 2025 • 8 mins
Photo images courtesy: “Miranda Munguia for City Foundry”
"Caring for the people who care for our kids" is on thanks to Stl Foundry:
Wednesdays are for Live Art at City Foundry’s Live Art Market
Free to attend and open to everyone, this isn’t just where art happens—it’s where it keeps going.
Tip your favorite performers. Sit for a portrait. Try something new.
Along Foundry Way, guests can enjoy seating throughout the district while surrounded by live
performances from magicians, poets, dancers, muralists and musicians.
Retail shops pour out onto the sidewalk and the energy flows from one experience to the next.
Whether you’re sipping and shopping with friends, enjoying the music from Expat BBQ’s patio before a round of mini golf at PuttShack, embracing your inner science-nerd at the Museum of Illusions, orgrabbing a spritz and snack ahead of a film at Alamo Drafthouse, the Live Art Market at City Foundry invites you to explore at your own pace.
This week they will be hosting an Early Childhood Supply Drive & Family Night
St. Louis Early Childhood Tornado Response Team is working urgently to meet a dire need, as hundreds of families remain displaced, unhoused, and without consistent access to food and hygiene products. Of the 44 early childhood centers in the direct path of the storm, more than 1,000 children and family members are still struggling.
The response team is working around the clock to get them what they need. But as tornado cleanup efforts begin to slow, they are facing a serious need for public support.
"Caring for the people who care for our kids" is on thanks to Stl Foundry:
Wednesdays are for Live Art at City Foundry’s Live Art Market
Free to attend and open to everyone, this isn’t just where art happens—it’s where it keeps going.
Tip your favorite performers. Sit for a portrait. Try something new.
Along Foundry Way, guests can enjoy seating throughout the district while surrounded by live
performances from magicians, poets, dancers, muralists and musicians.
Retail shops pour out onto the sidewalk and the energy flows from one experience to the next.
Whether you’re sipping and shopping with friends, enjoying the music from Expat BBQ’s patio before a round of mini golf at PuttShack, embracing your inner science-nerd at the Museum of Illusions, orgrabbing a spritz and snack ahead of a film at Alamo Drafthouse, the Live Art Market at City Foundry invites you to explore at your own pace.
This week they will be hosting an Early Childhood Supply Drive & Family Night
St. Louis Early Childhood Tornado Response Team is working urgently to meet a dire need, as hundreds of families remain displaced, unhoused, and without consistent access to food and hygiene products. Of the 44 early childhood centers in the direct path of the storm, more than 1,000 children and family members are still struggling.
The response team is working around the clock to get them what they need. But as tornado cleanup efforts begin to slow, they are facing a serious need for public support.
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
We have with us Mia Everest and Lindsey Baker. Where's Mia.
I'm here, I'm Mia, Hi Ory. You guys are both
doing great work. Let's see me. You're a volunteer coordinator
for the Urban Spouts Child Development Center. Correct.
Speaker 2 (00:12):
Correct?
Speaker 1 (00:13):
And then Lindsay Baker, Director of Advocacy and Community Partnership
Southside Early Childhood Center. That's a long title that is
so first and foremost, thank you for everything you guys
do for the kiddos. This is really important and very
excited because we heard here I Heart at the Foundry
saying those found if you've not been here, you have
to come out because there's so much going on. And
Wednesdays they have the Live Art at City Foundry, lots
(00:37):
of stuff and this week they're hosting the Early Childhood
Supply and Family Night, So let's talk about that first.
What is it for? I mean, I know, but people
that are listening.
Speaker 3 (00:49):
We are so lucky to have such a great partner
as a Foundry and iHeartRadio. Thank you so much for
bringing us on today to talk about something that we
truly love, early education. So we really want to make
sure that kids have high quality access to early childhood education.
So we have been teaming up with the Foundry to
do some supply drive and donation drives the last few
(01:11):
Wednesdays in a row to really support our community here
in Saint Louis after the tornado. It's been obviously a
devastation to so many of our families. You know, at
Southside Early Childhood Center we have staff and families that
also live on the North Side.
Speaker 1 (01:26):
We know our city goes.
Speaker 3 (01:27):
Back and forth all day, so we really want to
support everybody in the community, especially those childcare providers that
have been impacted the most.
Speaker 1 (01:35):
And I will say, and I do want to hear
from me as well. I went. I was talking to
a friend of mine who helped, and we were doing
helping as much as we could in all the different areas,
and he said, as he was helping throw out stuff,
he found an old teddy bear and this child was
crying for it, and the momb score you can't have that.
(01:55):
And I thought, this is the kind of thing, a
simple teddy bear. If somebody were to bring a teddy bear?
Is that. I know, obviously you want financial donations are
always the best, but what kind of things are you
looking for?
Speaker 2 (02:08):
Absolutely so right now, we're looking for any outdoor toys.
Speaker 1 (02:11):
A teddy bear will be perfect.
Speaker 2 (02:13):
Kids need their snuggles, so tricycles, bikes, slides, non perishable items.
I would stay away from the diapers and wipes right now.
Speaker 1 (02:23):
We got a lot of those. We got a lot
a lot of those.
Speaker 2 (02:26):
I feel like we're the diaper bank and they've been
doing a great job also with getting that out. But
any non perishable items, instant oatmeal, instant macrom cheese, any
cleaning supplies, paper products, any of that sort, that's definitely
what we need right now. Also tarps, if you know
anybody that's got tarps and can help cut down some trees.
(02:50):
Any help at this time is it's adamant.
Speaker 1 (02:53):
And of course we're also taking donations.
Speaker 3 (02:56):
We work directly with the Gateway Early Childhood Alliance, which
has you know, inside the community foundation, and so they've
been really holding the funds for us so we can
really get them and distribute them out into the childcare
community in our city.
Speaker 1 (03:10):
It's so important. I mean, and me, what makes you?
What made you want to volunteer? So I have a.
Speaker 2 (03:18):
Passion for the community as someone who I wouldn't say
lived low income, but I had a mother that lived
in a prominent area struggled from day to day. So
I always felt like my desire was to give back
to the community. And so being the volunteer, the community
coordinator for the tornado relief, it just it's that passion,
(03:39):
it's that drive to assist to help everyone that truly
is impacted. And right now there's a lot then this
is not going to be a short term.
Speaker 1 (03:48):
This is going to be a long term.
Speaker 2 (03:50):
So just a little nudge is what they need.
Speaker 1 (03:53):
That's one thing that we've been talking about a lot.
I know, I work with Briy Anderson here at our
company with Salvation Army and the Urban League, and that's
the one thing we keep saying. People will forget and
then they think the needs are gone and this is
not more, not even months years of rebuilding and need. Yeah,
so what's going to happen. Let's see, We've got the
Early Childhood Supply Drive Family Night that's actually tonight, yep
(04:17):
at market at City Foundry. So it's a big celebration here.
But also it's more than that. It's a drive as well.
Speaker 2 (04:24):
I mean, we're going to engage with our families that
were impacted the community is going to come out, They're
going to support, They're going to show those individuals love
in affection that they need, while also why pampering them,
giving them you know, bicycles and that teddy bear that
that young guy might need.
Speaker 1 (04:39):
Oh oh sorry.
Speaker 3 (04:41):
And there's also going to be a you know, free
dinner that's going to be provided to you know, close
to two hundred families that been impacted through X Fact Barbecue.
So you know, we're really thankful to have everybody come
together for a really fun night of maybe a little
bit of a distraction, but a little bit of love
and food in community, which in Saint Louis we do,
(05:03):
you know, a really great job of.
Speaker 1 (05:04):
I love that I'm all about community and connection and
I know, just all the people that I have met
just the last few weeks, if there's a positive side
to the kind of a thing. And I think that's
what makes volunteering so important. Absolutely absolutely, you know it's
it's my dad used to always say, you know, when
you do volunteer and you help somebody, that's it goes
(05:25):
both ways. It's giving it both ways. It's our website
off people say I can't go tonight, but I want
to donate food or I want to donate money.
Speaker 3 (05:33):
Yeah, so definitely there are some early childhood hubs that
we have situated. We are calling them little micro hubs
that because we know families are situated everywhere, so we
really wanted to donations and places that we knew families
and parents frequent a lot at that age, which are
childcare centers, and those folks can give out supplies and
(05:53):
take them to other childcare for you know, providers as well.
Speaker 2 (05:57):
And then we also deliver, wait deliver, That's what I
actually do deliver. So if there's our families they need
and there within, you know, I wouldn't say the vicinity
because right now everybody's kind of a little all over
it out.
Speaker 1 (06:10):
However, whatever that they need, they can always give me
a call.
Speaker 2 (06:14):
I can put my I guess, I can give you
my phone number and I'll be happy to deliver whatever
items that they need.
Speaker 1 (06:19):
Well, you thought, if you know, there's City Foundry stl
dot com. There's your which is also the Facebook page
Urban Sprouts sc DC, I believe after Development Center. There
you go, that's the Urban Sports Child And don't have
all these links on here as well. Okay, you know
what people call. I know, I have people calling me
all the time like this is okay.
Speaker 3 (06:41):
They can also directly donate, like I said, to the
Gateway Early Childhood Alliance, which is basically coordinating entity for
early childhood providers in Saint Louis, and so they are
really situated to give out the dollars for repair, which
is really what we're moving into next.
Speaker 1 (06:59):
Is like phase two is really the kind.
Speaker 3 (07:02):
Of rebuild stage because you know, we know families are
you know, went through direct emergency, but right now we
really know how important it is to get folks the
sport and repairs that they need to be up and
running as a childcare center or a home you know,
I'll you know, particularly thinking of a story of Miss
(07:23):
bit Betty Taylor, who lives on Taylor Street in North
City and she has owned and operated a home childcare.
She's a home Yeah, she's a home childcare provider and
she's been there for forty years. So not only did
she lose her home, but she lost her business and
(07:45):
her love and the families have all been impacted. She's
a twenty four hour center, so and she supports a
lot of nurses at BJC who work overnight and so
this is like, this is what we're talking about, is
that you know, not only providers at DID but our
workforces and you know, has been impacted. When folks can't
have childcare, they can't go to work.
Speaker 1 (08:06):
It's a domino effect. And I was my kids are
older now, but as a single mom, I had a
childcare at home and it was the most beautiful experience
and I think it helped both of my kids. I
don't think that we get enough for early childhood. How
important the early childhood education and playtime and all that
(08:26):
is beyond just working parents because we all have to work.
Speaker 3 (08:30):
Of course, we know like all the brain you know,
neuroconnections are happening and firing from that zero to five.
It's the most important part of brain development is during
that time. So for us, obviously we're in the field
and we care about it, and so that's why we
want to care for the people that are caring for
our babies. Absolutely, I love that because when they're taken
(08:50):
care of, we're taking care of
We have with us Mia Everest and Lindsey Baker. Where's Mia.
I'm here, I'm Mia, Hi Ory. You guys are both
doing great work. Let's see me. You're a volunteer coordinator
for the Urban Spouts Child Development Center. Correct.
Speaker 2 (00:12):
Correct?
Speaker 1 (00:13):
And then Lindsay Baker, Director of Advocacy and Community Partnership
Southside Early Childhood Center. That's a long title that is
so first and foremost, thank you for everything you guys
do for the kiddos. This is really important and very
excited because we heard here I Heart at the Foundry
saying those found if you've not been here, you have
to come out because there's so much going on. And
Wednesdays they have the Live Art at City Foundry, lots
(00:37):
of stuff and this week they're hosting the Early Childhood
Supply and Family Night, So let's talk about that first.
What is it for? I mean, I know, but people
that are listening.
Speaker 3 (00:49):
We are so lucky to have such a great partner
as a Foundry and iHeartRadio. Thank you so much for
bringing us on today to talk about something that we
truly love, early education. So we really want to make
sure that kids have high quality access to early childhood education.
So we have been teaming up with the Foundry to
do some supply drive and donation drives the last few
(01:11):
Wednesdays in a row to really support our community here
in Saint Louis after the tornado. It's been obviously a
devastation to so many of our families. You know, at
Southside Early Childhood Center we have staff and families that
also live on the North Side.
Speaker 1 (01:26):
We know our city goes.
Speaker 3 (01:27):
Back and forth all day, so we really want to
support everybody in the community, especially those childcare providers that
have been impacted the most.
Speaker 1 (01:35):
And I will say, and I do want to hear
from me as well. I went. I was talking to
a friend of mine who helped, and we were doing
helping as much as we could in all the different areas,
and he said, as he was helping throw out stuff,
he found an old teddy bear and this child was
crying for it, and the momb score you can't have that.
(01:55):
And I thought, this is the kind of thing, a
simple teddy bear. If somebody were to bring a teddy bear?
Is that. I know, obviously you want financial donations are
always the best, but what kind of things are you
looking for?
Speaker 2 (02:08):
Absolutely so right now, we're looking for any outdoor toys.
Speaker 1 (02:11):
A teddy bear will be perfect.
Speaker 2 (02:13):
Kids need their snuggles, so tricycles, bikes, slides, non perishable items.
I would stay away from the diapers and wipes right now.
Speaker 1 (02:23):
We got a lot of those. We got a lot
a lot of those.
Speaker 2 (02:26):
I feel like we're the diaper bank and they've been
doing a great job also with getting that out. But
any non perishable items, instant oatmeal, instant macrom cheese, any
cleaning supplies, paper products, any of that sort, that's definitely
what we need right now. Also tarps, if you know
anybody that's got tarps and can help cut down some trees.
(02:50):
Any help at this time is it's adamant.
Speaker 1 (02:53):
And of course we're also taking donations.
Speaker 3 (02:56):
We work directly with the Gateway Early Childhood Alliance, which
has you know, inside the community foundation, and so they've
been really holding the funds for us so we can
really get them and distribute them out into the childcare
community in our city.
Speaker 1 (03:10):
It's so important. I mean, and me, what makes you?
What made you want to volunteer? So I have a.
Speaker 2 (03:18):
Passion for the community as someone who I wouldn't say
lived low income, but I had a mother that lived
in a prominent area struggled from day to day. So
I always felt like my desire was to give back
to the community. And so being the volunteer, the community
coordinator for the tornado relief, it just it's that passion,
(03:39):
it's that drive to assist to help everyone that truly
is impacted. And right now there's a lot then this
is not going to be a short term.
Speaker 1 (03:48):
This is going to be a long term.
Speaker 2 (03:50):
So just a little nudge is what they need.
Speaker 1 (03:53):
That's one thing that we've been talking about a lot.
I know, I work with Briy Anderson here at our
company with Salvation Army and the Urban League, and that's
the one thing we keep saying. People will forget and
then they think the needs are gone and this is
not more, not even months years of rebuilding and need. Yeah,
so what's going to happen. Let's see, We've got the
Early Childhood Supply Drive Family Night that's actually tonight, yep
(04:17):
at market at City Foundry. So it's a big celebration here.
But also it's more than that. It's a drive as well.
Speaker 2 (04:24):
I mean, we're going to engage with our families that
were impacted the community is going to come out, They're
going to support, They're going to show those individuals love
in affection that they need, while also why pampering them,
giving them you know, bicycles and that teddy bear that
that young guy might need.
Speaker 1 (04:39):
Oh oh sorry.
Speaker 3 (04:41):
And there's also going to be a you know, free
dinner that's going to be provided to you know, close
to two hundred families that been impacted through X Fact Barbecue.
So you know, we're really thankful to have everybody come
together for a really fun night of maybe a little
bit of a distraction, but a little bit of love
and food in community, which in Saint Louis we do,
(05:03):
you know, a really great job of.
Speaker 1 (05:04):
I love that I'm all about community and connection and
I know, just all the people that I have met
just the last few weeks, if there's a positive side
to the kind of a thing. And I think that's
what makes volunteering so important. Absolutely absolutely, you know it's
it's my dad used to always say, you know, when
you do volunteer and you help somebody, that's it goes
(05:25):
both ways. It's giving it both ways. It's our website
off people say I can't go tonight, but I want
to donate food or I want to donate money.
Speaker 3 (05:33):
Yeah, so definitely there are some early childhood hubs that
we have situated. We are calling them little micro hubs
that because we know families are situated everywhere, so we
really wanted to donations and places that we knew families
and parents frequent a lot at that age, which are
childcare centers, and those folks can give out supplies and
(05:53):
take them to other childcare for you know, providers as well.
Speaker 2 (05:57):
And then we also deliver, wait deliver, That's what I
actually do deliver. So if there's our families they need
and there within, you know, I wouldn't say the vicinity
because right now everybody's kind of a little all over
it out.
Speaker 1 (06:10):
However, whatever that they need, they can always give me
a call.
Speaker 2 (06:14):
I can put my I guess, I can give you
my phone number and I'll be happy to deliver whatever
items that they need.
Speaker 1 (06:19):
Well, you thought, if you know, there's City Foundry stl
dot com. There's your which is also the Facebook page
Urban Sprouts sc DC, I believe after Development Center. There
you go, that's the Urban Sports Child And don't have
all these links on here as well. Okay, you know
what people call. I know, I have people calling me
all the time like this is okay.
Speaker 3 (06:41):
They can also directly donate, like I said, to the
Gateway Early Childhood Alliance, which is basically coordinating entity for
early childhood providers in Saint Louis, and so they are
really situated to give out the dollars for repair, which
is really what we're moving into next.
Speaker 1 (06:59):
Is like phase two is really the kind.
Speaker 3 (07:02):
Of rebuild stage because you know, we know families are
you know, went through direct emergency, but right now we
really know how important it is to get folks the
sport and repairs that they need to be up and
running as a childcare center or a home you know,
I'll you know, particularly thinking of a story of Miss
(07:23):
bit Betty Taylor, who lives on Taylor Street in North
City and she has owned and operated a home childcare.
She's a home Yeah, she's a home childcare provider and
she's been there for forty years. So not only did
she lose her home, but she lost her business and
(07:45):
her love and the families have all been impacted. She's
a twenty four hour center, so and she supports a
lot of nurses at BJC who work overnight and so
this is like, this is what we're talking about, is
that you know, not only providers at DID but our
workforces and you know, has been impacted. When folks can't
have childcare, they can't go to work.
Speaker 1 (08:06):
It's a domino effect. And I was my kids are
older now, but as a single mom, I had a
childcare at home and it was the most beautiful experience
and I think it helped both of my kids. I
don't think that we get enough for early childhood. How
important the early childhood education and playtime and all that
(08:26):
is beyond just working parents because we all have to work.
Speaker 3 (08:30):
Of course, we know like all the brain you know,
neuroconnections are happening and firing from that zero to five.
It's the most important part of brain development is during
that time. So for us, obviously we're in the field
and we care about it, and so that's why we
want to care for the people that are caring for
our babies. Absolutely, I love that because when they're taken
(08:50):
care of, we're taking care of
Popular Podcasts
Bookmarked by Reese's Book Club
Welcome to Bookmarked by Reese’s Book Club — the podcast where great stories, bold women, and irresistible conversations collide! Hosted by award-winning journalist Danielle Robay, each week new episodes balance thoughtful literary insight with the fervor of buzzy book trends, pop culture and more. Bookmarked brings together celebrities, tastemakers, influencers and authors from Reese's Book Club and beyond to share stories that transcend the page. Pull up a chair. You’re not just listening — you’re part of the conversation.
Dateline NBC
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com
On Purpose with Jay Shetty
I’m Jay Shetty host of On Purpose the worlds #1 Mental Health podcast and I’m so grateful you found us. I started this podcast 5 years ago to invite you into conversations and workshops that are designed to help make you happier, healthier and more healed. I believe that when you (yes you) feel seen, heard and understood you’re able to deal with relationship struggles, work challenges and life’s ups and downs with more ease and grace. I interview experts, celebrities, thought leaders and athletes so that we can grow our mindset, build better habits and uncover a side of them we’ve never seen before. New episodes every Monday and Friday. Your support means the world to me and I don’t take it for granted — click the follow button and leave a review to help us spread the love with On Purpose. I can’t wait for you to listen to your first or 500th episode!