East Side Aligned

11/02/2026

Nominate an East St. Louis professional, volunteer, or advocate for the 2026 Brenda Crisp Early Childhood Champion Award today! 💫✨

ABOUT THE AWARD:
Brenda Crisp has dedicated her life to nurturing the healthy development of young children. The Early Childhood Champion Award honors her legacy of creating spaces where children and families are loved, cared for, and equipped for success. This award honors an early childhood professional, volunteer and/or advocate within the Greater East St. Louis area that embodies Brenda's nurturing spirit, commitment to quality and relentless passion for improving child well-being.
We plan to honor the recipient at the ELP 2027 Spring Gathering (date TBD).

NOMINATIONS:
The Greater East St. Louis Early Learning Partnership is seeking nominations for the 2026 Brenda Crisp Award. Please feel free to self-nominate or nominate any individual(s) that you think would be a good fit for this award. If you have questions, please email [email protected]

ELIGIBILITY:
To receive the award, a nominee must meet the qualifications listed below. If you are not sure whether the individual meets these requirements, you may complete the form anyway! Staff will review each nominee's eligibility. The selected winner will be contacted directly.
* The nominee lives and/or works in Greater East St. Louis (Cahokia Heights, East St. Louis, Washington Park and/or Fairmont City).
* The nominee has not won the award previously.
* The nominee has made significant contributions to improving lives for young children (birth to age 5) over the past calendar year.

DEADLINE: DECEMBER 11, 2026
Submit nominations at: https://tinyurl.com/BrendaAward2026

10/21/2026

10/20/2026

This week, we’re shining a light on the Youth Development Alliance and the community afterschool programs that help young people learn, connect, and grow. 💡

Lights On Afterschool celebrates the importance of afterschool programs in East St. Louis by highlighting the safe, supportive spaces where young people can explore their interests, build skills, develop meaningful relationships, and discover their potential. Through the Youth Development Alliance, we recognize the organizations, educators, and community partners working together to expand opportunities for youth and strengthen our community. Together, we’re celebrating the impact of afterschool programs and the brighter futures they help create!

10/20/2026

This week, we’re shining a light on the Youth Development Alliance and the community afterschool programs that help young people learn, connect, and grow.

Lights On Afterschool celebrates the importance of afterschool programs in East St. Louis by highlighting the safe, supportive spaces where young people can explore their interests, build skills, develop meaningful relationships, and discover their potential. Through the Youth Development Alliance, we recognize the organizations, educators, and community partners working together to expand opportunities for youth and strengthen our community.

Together, we’re celebrating the impact of afterschool programs and the brighter futures they help create!

10/19/2026

Strong communities start with strong voices, and every voice deserves to be heard. 💙💛

At East Side Aligned, we know that building a brighter future for children, youth, and families means creating space for community members to be informed, engaged, and involved in the decisions that shape their lives.

Join neighbors for an East St. Louis Town Hall about the Ida B. Wells Voting Rights Act. Together, we’ll explore how it could help protect voting rights, strengthen fair representation, and build a more equitable Illinois.

📅 Tuesday, October 20, 2026
🕕 6:00 PM
📍 John Divine Missionary Baptist Church
655 N. 28th St., East St. Louis, IL 62205

Bring your questions, invite a neighbor, and join the conversation. All are welcome!

Questions? Contact Recie Wilson at 618-709-9772 or [email protected].

09/29/2026

Meet Optimum Wellness!

As the host of our Safe From the Start Provider Open House, we’re excited to introduce Optimum Wellness and the services they provide to young children and families in our community.

Through a partnership with East Side Aligned, Optimum Wellness’ Safe From the Start (SFS) program opened to the Greater East St. Louis community in Spring 2026, offering FREE therapeutic and support services to children ages 0–5 and their families impacted by violence.

Services include:
• Assessment & service plan development
• Psychoeducation
• Family- and group-based therapy and interventions
• Play therapy
• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) & Trauma-Focused CBT
• EMDR
Services are available in English and Spanish in Swansea and East St. Louis.

SFS primarily serves children ages 0–5, and parents, caregivers, and siblings under 18 may also qualify for services. Eligibility includes children who have experienced or witnessed abuse, neglect, maltreatment, domestic, physical, or sexual violence, or another violent crime.

We’re grateful to Optimum Wellness for creating opportunities to connect providers, strengthen partnerships, and expand support for young children and families across Greater East St. Louis.

09/28/2026

THIS THURSDAY IS COMMERCIAL PREMIERE DAY!

Through the GESTL Early Learning Partnership and in partnership with Optimum Wellness, Safe From the Start has been working on a special project and we’re excited to finally share it with you!

Stop by during your lunch hour at East Side Aligned for connection, celebration, and the premiere screening of our brand-new Safe From the Start PSA!

📍 East Side Aligned
🕛 Stop by beginning at 12:00 p.m.
🎥 PSA screening at 12:15 p.m.

Come celebrate this exciting milestone, connect with others who support Safe From the Start, and be among the first to see what we’ve been working on!

We hope to see you there! 🎥

09/23/2026

Tomorrow, September 24th from 6-7:30 p.m.! 🤩

09/22/2026

The Greater East St. Louis’ Safe From the Start program has been working on an exciting project and we want you to be the first to see… 🥁

✨Safe From the Start Commercial Premiere✨

Swing by during lunch at East Side Aligned on Thursday, October 1 for connection and the premiere of the brand new Safe From the Start PSA Commercial! We welcome people at our office beginning at 12:00 pm and will play the video shortly after at 12:15pm.

We are excited to celebrate this video project, connect with Early Learning Partnership and SFS network members, and celebrate this exciting milestone! 🤩

09/21/2026

We are just a few weeks away!
📣 Join Us for EMMAFEST 2026: The Family Fun Festival of the Year!
Families of East St. Louis and beyond, it’s time to celebrate! The Emma L. Wilson King Foundation, Inc. is thrilled to present the 6th Annual EMMAFEST Family Fun Festival.

Mark your calendars for a spectacular day of community, culture, and, most importantly, FUN — all with FREE admission and FREE rides!

Here is everything you need to know to join the festivities:

📅 WHEN: Saturday, October 3, 2026

📍 WHERE: Jones Park, 2920 Argonne Drive, East St. Louis, IL

🕚 PARADE STARTS: 11:00 AM

🕚 FESTIVAL HOURS: 11:30 AM – 5:30 PM

There is an incredible lineup for all ages, including:

🍴 Food: A wide variety of local flavors.

🎭 Fun: Entertainment and activities all day.

🎶 Music: Live performances to get you moving.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Family Activities: Something for everyone.

Getting here is easy! Avoid traffic and Ride on Metro to EMMAFEST 2026.

See you at Jones Park! 🌳✨