Once And For All

Once and for All is an effort to address the root source of our region’s longstanding challenges—from failing schools to high crime rates, slow economic growth, and our region’s steady decline in prosperity as well as national prominence and influence. A wealth of research published by Washington University in St. Louis, University of Missouri–St. Louis, Forward Through Ferguson, Greater St. Louis Inc, and others shows how our high concentrations of poverty and communities in decline don’t just harm those most directly impacted. The effects of these conditions have a detrimental impact on our entire region. All of this is why, in order for the St. Louis region to be competitive and successful in the years ahead, it’s vital that we invest in our under-resourced communities to address the source of our region’s challenges and create a stronger, more prosperous St. Louis—once and for all. This effort is led by Beyond Housing, a nationally recognized community development organization, and utilizes an innovative model for transforming communities. This model is based on decades of experience and learnings from national thought leaders, including Health Equity Works at Washington University in St. Louis, the Aspen Institute, the Stanford Social Innovation Review, NeighborWorks America, and the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco. Our model recognizes that creating real change requires a comprehensive, multipronged effort that addresses the multiple, interrelated needs of both families and communities—from housing to employment, education, health, economic development, municipal government, and more—in an integrated, holistic manner.