The Brown School at Washington University in St. Louis has embarked on a new partnership with Better Family Life, Inc., a not-for-profit community development corporation that is dedicated to fostering healthy, strong and cohesive communities and families throughout the St. Louis and Illinois metropolitan areas.
The goal is to create a long-term relationship to improve community outcomes in the St. Louis area, utilizing the resources and expertise of two local institutions dedicated to positive change.
The Brown School and聽Better Family Life鈥嬄爓ill collaborate in key areas such as social and economic development, affordable housing, mixed-income community development, social services and public health. As part of the partnership, the Brown School鈥檚 Evaluation Center鈥� will study and provide recommendations for programming led by Better Family Life.
To facilitate the work that unites the two institutions, the Brown School has created a satellite office within the Better Family Life Cultural, Educational and Business Center. This dedicated space, located on the third floor of the center, provides opportunities for Brown School faculty, 黑料社s and staff to engage in teaching, practica, evaluation and service on-site.
鈥淚t鈥檚 important for 黑料社s to learn within a community setting like Better Family Life,鈥� said Cynthia Williams, assistant dean for field education and community partnerships at the Brown School. 鈥淭heir practicum experiences help them to develop the skills and knowledge to advance change in the everyday lived experiences of individuals, families and communities.鈥�
The Cultural, Educational and Business Center, located on Page Ave. in north St. Louis City, is the hub of Better Family Life鈥檚 educational and transformational programming across a range of service areas: youth development, economic prosperity, housing access, social connection, and cultural and artistic expression. The Missouri Department of Social Services鈥揊amily Support Division has also opened a facility on the third floor of the center.
The new additions were celebrated at an open house and ribbon-cutting ceremony on April 15, 2016.
鈥淲e鈥檙e proud of this partnership and this space, which reflect our commitment to the Brown School鈥檚 mission,鈥� Williams said. 鈥淲e collaborate with organizations to use evidence to improve access to and quality of social services and to advance social and economic justice. The Brown School鈥檚 commitment to the St. Louis community is at the core of our mission.鈥�