Hope is a Beautiful Thing

"Through holistic programs and services, Kingdom House helps the economically disadvantaged achieve economic independence, self-sufficiency and a path out of poverty." This is the inspiring message you'll see when you land on their website. This is precisely what Fair Trade hopes to achieve with the countless artisans and farmers around the world. 

Zee Bee Market donates to St Louis nonprofit Kingdom House

We are happy to announce the March 2018 recipient of our Giving Back Days campaign is Kingdom House. This nonprofit organization aims to help people achieve better lives. In fulfilling this mission, they teach people to fish, rather than just feeding them fish. We invite YOU to join us in raising funds to support their important work. Here's how you can help:

  • WHAT: Shop Fair Trade gifts at our store located at 3211 South Grand Blvd., St. Louis, 63118 or online.
  • WHEN: Tuesday, March 27 to Friday, March 30 (11AM - 8PM)
  • RESULT: we will donate 15% of all sales to Kingdom House. Full details HERE.

Kingdom House provides an impressive list of programs that truly impact our community's Youth and Adults in a positive way, and a number of Stability Support Resources.

Early Childhood Center provides high quality childcare and preschool education for 94 children, ages 6 weeks to 5 years of age.

After School Program provides an academically-focused environment conducive to homework help and supplemental educational curriculum and activities.  Students prepare to perform at grade level and above on state MAP tests and engage in a variety of activity based on their interests and strengths.

 Zee Bee Market donates to St Louis nonprofit Kingdom House

Summer Camp: Kingdom House became an official Children’s Defense Fund Freedom Schools ® program partner in 2016. Founded in 1995, the Freedom Schools Program seeks to build strong, literate and empowered children prepared to make a difference in themselves, their families, communities, nation and world today.

Kingdom Academy, a unique program that provides academic enrichment, social-emotional support, life skills and job readiness activities to teens during a critical period of development so that they are better prepared for a post-secondary institution and/or the workforce.

Additionally, here are some of the Adult/Senior programs this organization provides:

Financial Stability Services: Through one-on-one coaching, financial education and access to credit and wealth building financial products​, members receive financial stability services that provide the support needed to achieve their economic goals. Families, individuals and Kingdom House employees are invited to attend financial education classes and meet privately with financial social workers and coaches to establish clearly defined goals and develop strategies to meet them.

Services include:

  • Obtaining and reviewing credit reports
  • Creating debt-reduction plans
  • Accessing checking and savings accounts
  • Organizing and understanding financial documents
  • Designing a unique budget
  • Addressing the behaviors that prevent individuals from successfully reaching goals

Zee Bee Market donates to St Louis nonprofit Kingdom House

Health & Wellness Program offers fitness classes, nutrition and cooking workshops, one-on-one coaching sessions and a healthy meal feature. Participants receive the support and tools needed to achieve their health and wellness goals. The 12-week (four nights per week) program features:

  • Fitness Classes, such as Zumba, boot camp, couch to 5K, low impact aerobics and yoga
  • Weekly workshops to learn how to prepare healthier meals and prevent disease
  • Healthy meals that are provided after each evening’s class to take home to feed the family
  • Classes to learn about how the food we eat affects mental, emotional and physical health
  • Individual therapy (as requested when related to meeting health and wellness goals)

Wrap-Around Maternal Mental Health Services for Latina Mothers:  Apoyo y Cariño (Support and Care) is a program funded by Generate Health that focuses on intervention to Latina mothers who are pregnant or parenting babies through 24 months of age. Apoyo y Cariño offers supportive services through targeted case management that focuses on issues relevant to new and immigrant mothers, including translation and interpretation, assistance with Medicaid and other healthcare obstacles, and navigating childcare to name a few. The program also has close connections with other community resources to assist with referrals including WIC, legal services, daycare, etc.

Apoyo y Cariño also offers individual therapy and psychiatry referrals that include culturally relevant interventions for women who are experiencing post postpartum depression or anxiety. Two weekly support groups provide socialization, support, and bonding between mothers. Activities are group driven and include topics such as mother-child attachment, physical and mental wellness, parenting, and community resources.

Project BEGIN: BE.Grow.INvest:  Planning for a baby can be an exciting time, but the stress of the unknown can also weigh heavily on expectant mothers. Project BEGIN is a program for working (or studying) mothers to help them plan for the maternity leave they envision. Mothers are assisted with financial planning, leave planning and other issues that might arise during pregnancy. They are also assisted with advocacy support, benefits applications and emotional support. The goal of the program is for mothers to feel less stressed during their leave so they are able to spend their time developing a healthy bond with their new baby. Postpartum support is offered in the form of continued emotional support, benefits applications, food and diaper assistance, and financial coaching.

Enlace:  Enlace is a new program that focuses on building social capital and access to resources for participants. Studies show that social capital –a form of capital that exists in the relationships between people– is vital to upward mobility, and lack of social capital is often strongly correlated with poverty. Enlace seeks to provide a space for neighbors to connect with one another, share resources and learn about their community. Representatives from St. Louis agencies are invited to share about their services, connecting clients with a friendly face along with vital information. Group members are also encouraged to share their experiences and create constructive and beneficial relationships. Enlace meets twice per month and tackles topics such as:

  • Health
  • Education
  • Communication and Relationships
  • Civil Engagement
  • Housing

Senior Companion Program: Kingdom House is the sponsor agency for the Senior Companion Program in the St. Louis region. This program is part of the Senior Corps, a United States government agency under the authority of the Corporation for National and Community Service. Its mission is to provide aid to senior citizens in communities while promoting a sense of community.

Zee Bee Market donates to St Louis nonprofit Kingdom House

The Senior Companion Program provides individuals age 55 years or older, who meet set program guidelines, with meaningful volunteer opportunities in their community. Through home and community visits, Senior Companion volunteers help isolated and frail older adults maintain the highest possible level of independent living. 

Kingdom House Stability Support Resources include:

City Harvest Market is open to the entire community and provides a level of access to fresh and healthy foods that would otherwise be too expensive for purchase. There are many community options for free canned goods, but this model is unique in its provision of fresh and frozen alternatives. Not a traditional food pantry, our market provides a dignified, quality shopping experience.

The Bodega is open to all, provides convenient access to affordable, high-quality essentials that support families in redirecting money and resources towards other financial planning and goals. Some of the items that are sold in the Bodega include: new and gently used clothing, new underwear and socks, baby supplies, personal care and household items.

The Family Center provides a safe, educational environment for children while their parents are participating in Kingdom House programs, classes or workshops. The Family Center allows Kingdom House to offer childcare during all adult programs.

English Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) classes provide the opportunity for participants to work with trained teachers to grow their English language skills. Classes teach essentials of the language and help individuals improve in areas such as writing, speaking and reading comprehension. Participants are able to utilize these language skills at work, home and in the community. Participants also learn about St. Louis and American culture while in a supportive environment.

Zee Bee Market donates to St Louis nonprofit Kingdom House

We look forward to welcoming you, your families & friends to our store (or to our website) from Tuesday, March 27 to Friday, March 30. Your fair trade purchases will make a big difference in the work Kingdom House does in our community. You Buy. We Donate!

If you are not ready to purchase at this time, please consider supporting Kingdom House directly. Please consider making a tax-deductible donation and/or by volunteering. Your actions will make a big difference!

Giving Back Days at Zee Bee Market

As always, THANK YOU for shopping with us.


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