By AP/KWMU
St. Louis, MO – A group of St. Louis clergy is teaming with the area's United Way in launching a program meant to bring hope in the wake of tragedy.
Yesterday, the St. Louis Metropolitan Clergy Coalition and the United Way of Greater St. Louis announced their initiative called Project Clergy CARES.
The idea for the effort came after the rape and slaying two years ago of a teenage St. Louis girl. Days after the crime, the clergy coalition's Reverend Earl Nance Junior called for a community response to end violence.
The unfolding initiative looks to link and mobilize support for mentoring groups, law enforcers, churches, counseling services, parental education providers and low-income health care centers.