East Side Aligned

09/03/2026

Optimum Wellness’ Safe From the Start (SFS) program provides FREE therapeutic and support services for children ages 0–5 impacted by violence in the home or community.

Services include:
• Age-appropriate, culturally responsive support for children and families
• Services available in English and Spanish
• Evidence-based practices designed to help young children and families heal and thrive

Who may qualify?
Children ages 0–5 who live in the Greater East St. Louis/District 189 footprint—including Brooklyn, Cahokia Heights, East St. Louis, Fairmont City, and Washington Park—and have experienced or witnessed abuse, neglect, domestic violence, physical or sexual violence, or another violent crime.

Need help or want to make a referral? Call 816-641-3588.

Even if you live outside the listed communities but believe your child may qualify, give the referral line a call to learn more.

Safe From the Start has been a State of Illinois program for more than 20 years and is now available in Southern Illinois. Together, we can help young children feel safe, supported, and ready to thrive.

09/01/2026

🎉 We’re excited to announce two new leadership roles at ESA!🎉

👏 Please join us in congratulating our new Director of Community Collaboration and Director of Insights & Impact.

🤝 The Director of Community Collaboration leads ESA’s efforts to bring together partners, resources, and strategies to advance opportunities for children and youth, strengthening collaborative initiatives, supporting youth and family leadership, and helping turn shared priorities into coordinated action.

📊 The Director of Insights & Impact leads ESA’s efforts to transform data, evaluation, and community insight into learning and action, strengthening how we make decisions, measure progress, share our impact, and elevate authentic community and youth voices.

✨ Together, these roles help deepen collaboration, build meaningful partnerships, elevate community voice, and use shared learning to guide our work and advance opportunities for children, youth, and families.

💛 We’re grateful for their leadership and look forward to the impact ahead. Please join us in celebrating this exciting next chapter for ESA!

08/27/2026

Provider Open House Recap 🌟

Optimum Wellness recently welcomed providers from 15+ organizations at the Provider Open House where they introduced the brand-new Safe From the Start (SFS) program to the Greater East St. Louis community!

Attendees had the opportunity to learn more about SFS services, connect with fellow providers, tour Optimum Wellness’ new play therapy space, and explore opportunities to strengthen referral partnerships and support young children and families impacted by violence.

A special thank-you to the 8 organizations who tabled in this open house and shared their resources! Together, we’re building stronger connections and a more collaborative network of support for children and families.

A special thank you goes out to Greater East St. Louis Early Learning Partnership for their contribution to making this event happen.

08/22/2026

Our Vote 🗳️ | Our Voice 🗣️

A candidate forum for the 114th District is happening now.

08/19/2026

08/18/2026

TOMORROW! 🤩

📣 TOMORROW! Join us for the Safe From the Start Provider Open House!

Come learn more about Safe From the Start services, tour the Optimum Wellness space and meet their team. You'll also be able to connect with community partners and take a look at the services available to support young children and families.

📅 Tomorrow, August 19
📍 Optimum Wellness

We’d love to see you there! Check out the flyer below for event details.

08/18/2026

Spread the word!

🚨 EAST ST. LOUIS — THIS ONE IS FOR US! 🚨

Who represents us matters. 🗣️ Who listens to us matters. 👀 And what they do with our vote matters even more.

On August 22, we’re bringing the community together for a Candidate Community Forum with the candidates for State Representative in District 114 Kevin Schmidt & George McClellan.

This is your chance to:
✊🏾 Bring your questions
🎤 Share your concerns
👂🏾 Hear directly from the candidates
📢 Make YOUR voice heard
🗳️ Get informed before you vote

And this isn’t just an event for adults. Young people are helping make this forum happen because our voices belong in these conversations, too.

If you’ve ever said, “They need to hear from us” and here’s your chance to make sure they do.

📍 Southern Mission Missionary Baptist Church (2801 State St., East St. Louis, IL)
📅 August 22
🕝 Doors open at 2:30 PM

Don’t just talk about change. SHOW UP for it.

👉🏾 Register here: https://secure.everyaction.com/VKQSLar2HE2ajQI1Vx4EkA2

CivicEngagement Vote114

08/06/2026

08/06/2026

08/05/2026

🌱✨ You’re Invited! ✨🌱

East Side Aligned is proud to support East St. Louis Early Learning Partnership in sharing an upcoming Safe From the Start Provider Open House!

Join ELP for an afternoon of connection, learning, and community partnership. Attendees will have the opportunity to learn more about Safe From the Start services, tour Optimum Wellness, connect with local agencies, and explore ways we can work together to support children and families impacted by violence. 🧩🤲🏽

📅 Wednesday, August 19, 2026
⏰ 2:30–5:00 PM
📍 Optimum Wellness | Swansea, IL

🍎 Light refreshments will be provided!
💬 RSVP is encouraged, but not required.

🔗 Open House RSVP: https://forms.gle/vj9pgTHzqAX3fnPi8
📣 Vendor RSVP by August 7: https://forms.gle/ug1fpf4MPCZAG3pD9

We’re excited to help spread the word about this opportunity to connect, collaborate, and strengthen support for children and families in our community. 🌟

We hope to see you there! 🌿