Vitendo 4 Africa

09/03/2026

Immigrant and refugee youth and families often encounter cultural and language barriers, social isolation, and misconceptions that can make it difficult to feel a sense of belonging and fully participate in community life. Creating opportunities for meaningful, positive, real-world connections can help build understanding, strengthen relationships across cultures, and ensure that every young person has the opportunity to thrive.

V4A creates real-life opportunities for immigrant and refugee youth to connect, belong, participate, and lead alongside their peers. Through sports, arts, STEM, mentoring, leadership, and wellness activities, young people develop relationships and shared experiences that build understanding across cultures and strengthen the social fabric of our communities.
Visit our programs at https://vitendo4africa.org/programs/youth-empowerment/
Thank you to all our partners who continue to invest in, believe in, and transform the lives of young people in our community. Your partnership creates opportunities today while helping us build a stronger, more connected, and more prosperous future for the region. Thank you to St. Louis Internship Program (SLIP) UMSL Bridge Program S&T Ku**er Center for STEM St. Louis Zoo Midwest BankCentre Saint Louis Mental Health Board Deaconess Foundation, Nike St. Louis CITY SC Traction Teen Traffic Safety Program St. Louis County Children's Service Fund PreventEd Mental Health First Aid Missouri, STL Youth Jobs, and many others

As we look toward the future and the growth of our region, we are reminded of the African proverb: “The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second-best time is now.”

Together, we can expand opportunity, strengthen our communities, and ensure that every young person has the support and opportunity to thrive. Our collective investment today is shaping the leaders and communities of tomorrow.


Arinola Smith Solanke

09/02/2026

V4A English Class & Job Readiness

Looking to strengthen your English skills and prepare for the workplace? Join us for support with English language skills, communication, job readiness, and career goals!

📅 Starting Tuesday, September 8, 2026
🗓️ Every Tuesday & Wednesday
⏰ 9:45 AM – 12:45 PM

📍 Thomas Dunn Learning Center. 3113 Gasconade St. St. Louis, MO 63118

Come build your confidence, improve your communication skills, and get ready for your career goals!

👉 Register here: https://forms.gle/zo9Byg4P4ftxhXoT6

We look forward to seeing you.

09/02/2026

Equality is giving everyone shoes.
Equity is giving everyone shoes in their own size according to their need.

Equality is about sameness.
Equity is about fairness.

At V4A we go beyond equality, we work every day to promote equity across our region so that every child, family, and community gets what they truly need to thrive.

You can be part of this mission.

Support our work to advance equity by _attending or sponsoring the 2026 V4A Gala on Sat, Oct 31st._

🎟️ Ticket: $150
🔗 Online: https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/v4a-13th-annual-gala-night

Feel free to donate and share. Together, let's ensure no one is left behind.

http://www.vitendo4africa.org

09/01/2026

Wiki ya Karibisho

Welcoming Week is September 10-19, 2026.
Through Welcoming Week, organizations and communities bring together neighbors of all backgrounds to build strong connections and affirm the importance of welcoming and inclusive places in achieving collective prosperity.

As part of Welcoming Week, Vitendo4Africa (V4A) is proud to host our Building Momentum Speaker Series on September 15th!

Join us for an inspiring conversation featuring speakers who have traveled to Africa, built meaningful connections across cultures, and have been doing exceptional work welcoming, supporting, and serving immigrant and refugee communities here in St. Louis.

Our speakers will share their experiences, lessons learned, and perspectives on building bridges between cultures, creating belonging, and strengthening our communities through connection and collaboration.

📅 September 15, 2026

Stories We Share The Courage to Connect Learn more about the 2026 theme Welcoming Week is September 10-19, 2026 Through Welcoming Week, organizations and communities bring together neighbors of all backgrounds to build strong connections and affirm the importance of welcoming and inclusive places in...

08/31/2026

St. Louis, don’t let Thursday pass you by. If you’re ready for a career shift, Boeing’s apprenticeship opportunities could be your next move.

Come learn the process, the expectations, and how to stand out.

Register here to attend: https://form.jotform.com/251244970706054

08/31/2026

Looking forward to this event. For over a decade we have been partnering with Washington University in St. Louis to prepare our immigrant students for college.
We are proud to say that many of them have been accepted to top colleges in the country.

Zinash: Bridge the Gap is back!

Join WashU ASA on Saturday, September 26 for a day dedicated to connecting high school students from the Greater St. Louis area with WashU’s African student community.

Students will get the chance to explore campus, spend time with current ASA members, have lunch with students, and learn more about the college admissions process, financial aid, and the experiences of first- and second-generation African immigrant students at WashU. Interested in joining us? Scan the QR code or use the link on the flyer to register!

08/31/2026

Calling all entrepreneurs!

We still have spots available in two tracks of Cortex’s 10-week SQ1 Bootcamp:

• Consumer Product: For entrepreneurs building or selling non-food physical products
• IT/Tech: For entrepreneurs building technology-based businesses, products, or services

SQ1 Bootcamp is designed for early-stage entrepreneurs looking to strengthen their business fundamentals, receive mentorship, and build a stronger foundation for growth.

Program cost: $250. Scholarships are available.

Applications are open now: https://www.cortexstl.org/learn/entrepreneur-training/sq1-bootcamp

Know an entrepreneur who would be a great fit? Send this their way!

08/31/2026

Apprenticeship Ready Program in Construction
The Missouri Works Initiative’s Apprentice Ready programs introduce, train, and connect people to a high-paying, rewarding career in the construction trades. This 5-week construction pre-apprenticeship creates an industry-recognized entry point into the trades, creating a more skilled and equitable workforce.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MJG3eFa2aT4&t=1s

REGISTER HERE
https://moworksinitiative.org/apprenticeship-ready-program-in-construction/

Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

08/31/2026

The UMSL Bridge Program Saturday Academy is a nationally recognized college preparation program.

Complete the application by visiting: https://apply.umsl.edu/register/bridgeprogramsat343

The application deadline is Friday, September 4, 2026

08/30/2026