SGSM Network

SGSM Network, formerly known as The South Grand Senior Ministry, began in 2001 in partnership with some local South Saint Louis, Missouri Catholic parishes along the South Grand Avenue Corridor in St. Louis. SGSM started as a collaboration of only 2 churches, St. Stephen Protomarter and St. Cecilia, both located at the southernmost part of Grand Avenue. Though this organization started small, with church support and volunteers, the ministry was created to provide assistance and care to senior citizens throughout the Greater Saint Louis area.

Contents

• South Grand Cluster
• South County Cluster
• Grand Center Cluster
• Northeast County Deanery Cluster
• The Lindenwood Area Cluster
• Americorps VISTA
• References

To reflect this expansion, South Grand Senior Ministry became SGSM Network in 2008, and the organization has expanded throughout the St. Louis Metro area to include Grand Center, Northeast County Deanery, South County, South Grand, and the Lindenwood area (now independent). These different areas are referred to as clusters. The Network is meant to help organize religious communities and parishes of many different faiths to build active and solid partnerships with congregation members, area businesses, and neighbors so they can together provide volunteer opportunities and direct services that help to improve the quality of life for senior citizens.

There are five major components of the work the SGSM Network does throughout the metropolitan area. These include, Health, Transportation, Socialization, Case Management and minor home repair. The SGSM Network also sends out a bi-monthly newsletter to seniors members of all participating parishes and religious communities giving information to seniors about issues affecting them as well as promoting activities and seminars in their communities.