East St. Louis Partners for Progress

Partners for Progress is a three-pronged initiative designed to enhance the quality of life in East St. Louis and pave the way for future economic development. The Casino Queen, a proud supporter of the East St. Louis Schools, teamed up with city and school officials to launch the initiative in July 2007 in an effort to help turn around the community.

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The first component involves cleaning up the city, expanding on the grass roots efforts that Mayor Alvin Parks initiated upon taking office earlier this year. Volunteers comprised of city employees, students from city schools and employees of the Casino Queen are working together in a more comprehensive cleanup effort to restore East St. Louis to its former glory. The Casino Queen and Clayco, Inc. are providing the equipment needed for the cleanup effort that will continue year round, weather permitting. 

Not only does the initiative work to rebuild the city, it also is aiming to shape East St. Louis’ leaders of tomorrow by planting seeds of community service and social development in the community’s youth. NFL Hall-of-Famer Jackie Smith, who currently serves as Director of Special Projects for the Casino Queen, is helping to introduce the nationally recognized Character Counts program into the East St. Louis school system. Through this program, educators will receive volunteer/community service inducing training that will be integrated into the student body’s fabric, so that students learn the core values of Trustworthiness, Respect, Responsibility, Fairness, Caring and Citizenship. The end goal is to produce a new generation of leaders who thoroughly embrace the concept of taking ownership of their immediate surroundings. Long term goals call for the program to be rolled out district-wide. 

Partners for Progress also is focusing on community development. Hoping to address bigger issues in the community, Partners for Progress will be engaging the support and resources of various other partners to help counter the rising tide of teacher retirement, student population decline and the local housing authority’s recent public housing unit reductions. The school district hopes plans can be developed through this partnership to address the potential conversion of existing school district facilities to thriving residential and commercial entities. 

To get involved, lend your support, or to learn more about Partners for Progress, call 618-261-8857.