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SLATE pursues grants to expand veteran and reentry services; receives $250,000 MO Heroes award and applies for CDA and foundation funds

5471649 · July 22, 2025
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Summary

SLATE reported a $250,000 state grant for the MO Heroes veterans program (administered by EDSI), applied to the Community Development Administration for $57,000 to formalize the Prisoner Prosperity Program, and submitted a $50,000 application to the St. Louis Community Foundation to expand wraparound services.

SLATE staff reported multiple grant developments intended to expand services for veterans and people returning from incarceration. Connie Johnson, a SLATE staff member, said the State of Missouri granted $250,000 for the MO Heroes program, which will support military veterans and spouses and will be administered by EDSI on SLATE’s behalf.

Staff also said SLATE applied to the Community Development Administration (CDA) for $57,000 to formally establish the Prisoner Prosperity Program, a reentry initiative that runs inside correctional facilities and prepares participants for employment upon release. Shannon (SLATE staff member and Prisoner Prosperity lead) described the proposed CDA-funded program as a cohort-based curriculum with homework and flexible modules to address identification, basic skills and conflict resolution; he said the program intends to serve up to 30 participants per cohort and that the official grant application opens in August.

Separately, SLATE applied to the St. Louis Community Foundation for a $50,000 operational grant to expand wraparound services; staff said they submitted the application and would welcome letters of recommendation from board members or partner organizations. Staff framed these efforts as part of a broader strategy to diversify funding beyond WIOA and to support targeted programs for veterans and people reentering the community.

Why it matters: these grants would expand SLATE’s capacity to serve veterans and justice-involved individuals and could support non-WIOA services that require separate funding eligibility.

Board direction and next steps: staff asked board members to consider providing letters of recommendation for foundation funding; staff will continue to refine applications and report back as awards are announced.