Nonprofit organizations in St. Louis, Missouri have a tremendous impact on the elderly population in the area. From providing educational and employment opportunities to offering services that help older adults remain in their homes, these organizations are devoted to creating a comprehensive foundation for people and communities to flourish. Programs such as Aging Ahead, Alcoholic Rehabilitation Community Home, Almost at Home, American Cancer Society, American Heart Association, American Lung Association in Missouri, American National Red Cross from south-central Illinois, American Red Cross of the Great St.
Louis, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Eastern Missouri, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southwest Illinois, Bilingual International Assistance Services, Boy Scouts of America, Greater St. Louis, Employment Connection, Empower Missouri (funding begins in 2002), Epilepsy Foundation of Missouri and Kansasepworth Children & Family Services Inc., Meals on Wheels America (MOWA), STL Village and Oasis are just some of the organizations that are making a difference in the lives of elderly people in St. Louis. The Older Americans Act of 1973 established Area Agencies on Aging (AAA) to address the needs and concerns of all older people at the regional and local levels. These agencies coordinate and offer services that help older adults stay in their homes with the help of services such as home meals, assistance for homemakers, and anything else necessary to make independent living a viable option.
Aging Ahead is one such AAA that serves the counties of St. Louis, St Charles, Jefferson and Franklin and supports individuals and their caregivers through a variety of available programs and services. The VISTA program is an AmeriCorps VISTA program for organizations and individuals interested in developing durable solutions to problems of poverty across Missouri. The Neighborhood Assistance Program (NAP) allows Missouri taxpayers to direct their state tax money to the United Way of Greater St. Louis. Meals on Wheels America (MOWA) is an organization and national network dedicated exclusively to ending hunger among older people in the United States.
STL Village is a grassroots membership organization whose mission is to improve the quality of life and well-being of people over 50 who want to continue living in their homes while staying active in their communities. Oasis offers programs through partnerships in 9 full-service centers, 250 communities, and 23 states across the country with more than 700 partners including healthcare providers, corporations, centers for the elderly, community organizations, libraries, universities, senior organizations, and more. Nonprofit organizations in St. Louis are making a real difference in the lives of elderly people by providing them with educational and employment opportunities as well as services that help them stay in their homes with dignity. These organizations are also helping to create a complete foundation for people and communities to thrive.