About Firm Foundation

In 1993, New City Fellowship of St. Louis (NCF) saw the pressing need to build relationships with the many children who lived in the West End neighborhood of St. Louis City. It also became evident that many of these children needed help with their homework. In response, NCF began an after-school tutoring program for children in grades K-6. The primary goal of the Firm Foundation Tutoring Program is to build relationships with the children and show them the love of Christ. The name “Firm Foundation” emphasizes the good academic foundation that children in our society need to be able to function well in our culture as well as the more important foundation we have in Jesus Christ who alone is the only sure foundation on which to build a life that is truly pleasing to God.

So this is what the Sovereign LORD says: “See, I lay a stone in Zion, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone for a sure foundation; the one who trusts will never be dismayed.” -Isaiah 28:16

Firm Foundation is a practical way to show God’s love by helping children academically and relationally.

Vision

The Firm Foundation vision is to provide academic assistance to children and youth from at-risk communities so that they will serve more productively in our culture because they have come to know the love of God through caring, mutually beneficial relationships.

Mission

The Firm Foundation mission is to be a Christ-centered academic assistance program that teams a diverse group of volunteer tutors with children and youth from at-risk communities in after school tutoring, mentoring, and summer enrichment.

Who We Serve

Firm Foundation Tutoring serves children/youth grades K-12th. All children/youth from a variety of ethnic backgrounds, regardless of religious affiliation, are welcome to participate as students in our program. Firm Foundation Tutoring is an equal opportunity provider.

We serve many refugee and immigrant/English-language learning students as well as a number of native St. Louisans. Many of the children we serve are behind academically and need additional support to catch up to grade level goals. For students who achieve grade level standards, we encourage their growth in other areas by helping them to develop leadership skills, improve oral and written communication, sharpen critical thinking skills, and set long-term goals.

Impact

• 125 children/youth served per year
• 75 families
• 12 countries of origin
• 10 languages represented
• more than 3,000 hours of one-on-one tutoring per year

How We Serve

After School Program

We have one-on-one after school tutoring for kids and youth grades K-12 at two different locations: South City and the West End:

South City site; 3502 Grace Ave.

Monday – 5:30pm – 7pm

Tuesday – 4pm – 5:30pm

Wednesday – 5:30pm – 7pm

Thursday – 4pm – 5:30pm

West End site; 1142 Hodiamont Ave.

Monday – 5pm – 6:30pm

Tuesday – 4:30pm – 6pm

Wednesday – 5pm – 6:30pm

Thursday – 4:30pm – 6pm

Summer Enrichment Program

Summer enrichment programs for kids grades K-6 at two different locations: University City and South City.

Leadership and Volunteer Opportunities

For youth who are current or previous program participants, we seek to give them paid and volunteer opportunities for leadership and volunteer service.

Click below to donate to Firm Foundation

For more information on how to get involved as a volunteer, financial donor, or prayer partner, please contact Kristen Flores at [email protected]