About Episcopal City Mission and its Programs

Q: What does Episcopal City Mission do?

A: Episcopal City Mission provides chaplains for the ongoing spiritual needs of children in St. Louis City Detention, St. Louis County Detention, and Lakeside Center juvenile facilities.

Q: Why is Episcopal City Mission important?

A: Our chaplains help children in detention find hope.  We help children recognize and claim their own unique gifts.  We help children in detention grieve, forgive, and find peace in their troubling circumstances.  We pray for and with them.  Because we do not ignore or judge these children they trust us with their gravest fears, their deepest regrets, and their most fragile hopes.  We offer spiritual food for that part of each child that is starving.

Q: How available are Episcopal City Mission's chaplains to the youth?

A: Our chaplains at St. Louis City and St. Louis County Detention work 30 hours each week; our chaplain at Lakeside Center is available for 20 hours each week.

Q: Is Episcopal City Mission "Episcopalians only"?

A: No. Episcopal City Mission is partially funded by the Episcopal Diocese of Missouri, but our professionally trained chaplains come from three different denominations -- Baptist, Disciples of Christ, and United Church of Christ. Our chaplains are available to address the spiritual needs of the children in the detention centers, regardless of religious background or affiliation.

Q: Are children required to partcipate in Episcopal City Mission programs?

A: No. All the services that our chaplains provide are strictly voluntary. No attempt is made or permitted to coerce participation in religious activities or to change a child’s basic faith orientation.

About the Children We Serve

Q: Why are the youth at these facilities?

A: Offenses committed by the children that we serve range from chronic truancy to property theft/damage, parole violation, drug sales or use, assault, occasionally even homicide. Most of the children suffer from neglect or abuse.  Many exhibit emotional and behavioral disorders.

Q: How long are the youth confined to these facilities?

A: The average length of stay at St. Louis City and St. Louis County Detention is 3 to 5 weeks.  However, some children may remain in detention for months. Lakeside Center is a long-term rehabilitation center (post-trial), where youth are in residence for an average of 9 months.

Q: What age are these children?

A: Typically, the children are 11 to 17 years old.  Children as young as 8 have been detained, however.  At 17, youth committing crimes are classified and tried as adults.  The average age of the children detained in the centers we serve is 14-15 years old.

About Support

Q: How can I support Episcopal City Mission?

A: Episcopal City Mission relies on individual donations to survive.  You can donate money or time in fundraising activities to help ensure that our chaplains remain available to at-risk children.

Q: How much does Episcopal City Mission spend on chaplain support?

A: Episcopal City Mission requires approximately $4,000 per month to afford each chaplain.