Our Mission

Partners in East St. Louis aims to serve East St. Louis by developing relationships with community members, providing advocacy and volunteering opportunities, and illuminating and combating the effects of structural inequalities in the city.

About Us

PESTL is a group that is about the people of East St. Louis and not about its volunteers. We want other students to see the people of East St. Louis for who they are and care for their friends and family the way they want to. We hope that you, who choose to join PESTL, will be able to build those relationships, to celebrate the success of the people, and to grow to love the city of East St. Louis.

Our Current Projects

College Access Mentoring

The purpose of College Access Mentoring is to provide students at East St. Louis High School with the resources to not only get into the college of their choice but also make the most of the college experience. We help students ace their standardized exams and write stellar application essays. 

Health Clinic

WashU students are able to volunteer at either the main East Side Health District clinic or the HIV/STD clinic. The purpose of this program is to assist the understaffed administration with immediate needs. 

Language Ambassadors

After-school programs play a crucial role in expanding educational horizons, and one particularly enriching avenue is the introduction of foreign language classes. Offering students the opportunity to explore new languages opens a gateway to diverse cultures, fostering a global perspective and enhancing their overall educational experience.

Voices of East St. Louis

The purpose of Voices of East St. Louis is to make the narratives of individuals who work and live in East St. Louis visible to all. Often times in St. Louis, the stories we hear about East St. Louis are fragments of negative rumors and snippets of sensationalized media stories. Voices challenges the stigma associated with East St. Louis by focusing on the stories and struggles of local community members.

Tutoring

The after-school tutoring program helps the students at Jackie Joyner-Kersee Community Center succeed in the classroom by providing personalized academic support tailored to their individual needs and learning styles. Our tutors help teach concepts ranging from Algebra and Geometry to English literature and science, ensuring a well-rounded educational experience for every student.