LifeWise StL

What LifeWise StL does

LifeWise StL (legal name Kingdom House dba LifeWise StL) is a private nonprofit 501(c)(3) social services organization headquartered at 1321 South 11th Street in St. Louis, Missouri, founded in 1902 as a settlement house and rebranded in 2019 to reflect its multi-generational, transformational service model. The organization operates 17 programs spanning the full lifecycle: an Early Childhood Center serving 94 children (6 weeks to 5 years) as a YWCA Head Start partner site; Young Scholars After-School Program and Summer Literacy Camp serving south St. Louis K-8 students (zip codes 63104, 63111, 63116, 63118); LifeWise Academy (grades 9-12) reporting 100% high school graduation; adult Economic Wellness (credit-building, lending circles, IDA matched savings), Emotional & Physical Wellness (therapy, fitness), and ESOL classes; plus Senior Companion Program, Senior Resiliency Fund, and tornado disaster case management for adults 55+/60+. Distribution occurs primarily on-site with select partner-delivered channels (YWCA, St. Louis Public Schools ESOL, AmeriCorps Seniors as sponsor agency, St. Louis Area Agency on Aging for disaster response, and an embedded St. Louis Community Credit Union microbranch since 2013).

The revenue model is diversified across donations (individuals, corporations, DAF, QCD, stock transfers, Missouri NAP tax-credit-amplified contributions via Qgiv online portal), government grants and contracts (United Way Safety Net partner, AmeriCorps Seniors, Head Start/Early Head Start subsidies, MO Child Care Subsidy, disaster case management), and nominal programmatic fees (City Harvest Market and Bodega Thrift Store at $1-$2 per item). Most direct services are free to income-eligible participants; price points are not publicly disclosed. Technology is light: standard nonprofit SaaS for donations, volunteer management, intake forms, and a QR-code waitlist, with no proprietary platforms, AI/ML, or developer-facing APIs. The organization is governed by a 21+ member Board of Directors chaired by Maria Langston with President/CEO Scott E. Walker, and employs between 101 and 250 staff including credentialed clinicians, financial social workers, and a PhD Director of Program Evaluation.

Name

LifeWise StL

Legal name

Kingdom House dba LifeWise StL

Website

https://lifewisestl.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1902

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

LifeWise StL is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit social services organization in St. Louis, Missouri, delivering 17 programs spanning early childhood education, youth development, adult economic and emotional wellness, and senior services to under-resourced individuals and families across the region.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Community Social Services

NAICS

Other Individual and Family Services (624190), Child and Youth Services (62411), Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (624120), Educational Support Services (6117)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Child Day Care Services (8351), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Wraparound Student Support & Case Management Services (At-Risk K–12) (EDAJAEAJ)

akta.pro secondary industries

College & Career Transition Services (Bridge Programs, Dual Enrollment Pathways) (EDAAABAK), Behavioral Health & MTSS/RTI Tiered SEL Supports (EDAKAMAE), Family Engagement & Caregiver Support Programs (SEL/Mental Health) (EDAKAMAK)

Keywords

• Community social services
• Nonprofit youth programs
• Early childhood education
• Financial coaching services
• Senior companion program

Headquarters

HQ city

St Louis

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Individual and Corporate Donations: LifeWise StL accepts donations from individuals and corporations, including Missouri NAP (Neighborhood Assistance Program) tax credits that amplify contributions. Donors can give via check, online portal (Qgiv), stock transfers, QCD (Qualified Charitable Distributions from IRAs), DAF (Donor Advised Funds), and in-kind gifts.
2. Government Grants and Contracts: As a Safety Net partner of United Way of Greater St. Louis and participant in programs like AmeriCorps Seniors, the organization receives government funding and grant support for various programming including Senior Companion Program and Head Start/Early Head Start partnerships.
3. Program Fees and Cost Recovery: Some services like City Harvest Market and Bodega Thrift Store generate modest revenue through nominal fees ($1-2 for items) while providing affordable access to food and household goods for participants and community members.

Pricing tiers

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

LifeWise StL provides individual and family services through educational programs and personalized, relationship-based coaching designed to foster economic mobility and holistic well-being across all life stages. Programs include licensed childcare and preschool, after-school and summer literacy enrichment, teen academic and college/career readiness, financial coaching with credit-building and matched-savings IDA programs, mental health and wellness services, ESOL classes, senior companionship, and disaster case management, delivered primarily through its south St. Louis facility and a network of community partnerships.

Product overview

LifeWise StL is a comprehensive nonprofit social services organization offering a multi-generational portfolio of programs designed to help individuals and families achieve economic well-being. The organization operates as a unified service model with distinct programs spanning all life stages: Early Childhood Center (ages 0-5), Young Scholars After-School Program and Summer Literacy Camp (grades K-8), LifeWise Academy (grades 9-12), Economic Wellness and Emotional & Physical Wellness programs, ESOL classes, Senior Companion Program and Senior Resiliency Fund, plus essential resources including City Harvest Market and Bodega Thrift Store. These programs work collaboratively through relationship-based coaching and personalized support to foster holistic transformation across the St. Louis community.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Early Childhood Center Licensed and accredited childcare and preschool education for children ages 6 weeks to 5 years, with developmental screenings, nutrition, health screenings, and operation as a YWCA Head Start/Early Head Start partner site. Serves 94 children from under-resourced families.
• Young Scholars After-School Program After-school academic support, literacy enhancement, homework help, enrichment activities, and healthy meals for 60 elementary and middle school students (grades K-8) from south St. Louis (zip codes 63104, 63111, 63116, 63118), running September through May.
• Summer Literacy Camp Six-week summer reading enrichment program running 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday in June and July, serving low-income elementary and middle school students to counter summer learning loss and narrow achievement gaps.
• LifeWise Academy High school after-school program (grades 9-12) providing tutoring, academic enrichment, life skills, social-emotional support from a licensed therapist, college/career readiness, FAFSA support, campus visits, and employment assistance, achieving a 100% high school graduation rate.
• Economic Wellness Program Financial coaching and education including one-on-one coaching with Certified Financial Social Workers, credit-building programs, budgeting workshops, Individual Development Account (IDA) matched savings, Lending Circles, and Grupo en Desarrollo financial education for adults.
• Emotional and Physical Wellness Program Holistic wellness services including individual therapy, therapeutic and support groups, wellness classes, free fitness sessions (Zumba, cardio, bootcamp, yoga), nutrition education (Project LEAN, Chronic Disease Management), and mindfulness programming.
• English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) Classes English language instruction provided in partnership with St. Louis Public Schools, offered Mondays and Wednesdays from 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM, teaching writing, speaking, and reading comprehension to help non-native English speakers integrate into the community.
• Senior Companion Program AmeriCorps Seniors volunteer program connecting individuals age 55+ with isolated older adults for companionship, transportation, and caregiver respite, with volunteers receiving non-taxable hourly stipends and mileage reimbursement.
• Senior Resiliency Fund Four-part matched savings and financial education program for lower-income older adults (55+) offering bi-weekly educational sessions, one-on-one financial coaching, benefits check-ups, and a 2-to-1 savings match up to $400 for $200 saved.
• Tornado Relief Program Disaster case management services for older adults (ages 60+) impacted by the May 16, 2025 tornado, providing one-on-one recovery assistance, financial aid coordination, home repair coordination, and essential belongings replacement.
• City Harvest Market and Bodega Thrift Store Discounted fresh, frozen, and shelf-stable groceries along with low-cost clothing, hygiene items, and cleaning supplies at $1-2 per item; LifeWise participants can shop once a week and community members during 1st and 3rd weeks.
• Community Care Liaison Initial connection service helping individuals address immediate basic needs and connecting them to internal programs and external community resources.

Quantifiable outcome

• 100% high school graduation rate for LifeWise Academy students
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

22 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Mission St. LouiscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Advocacy and recovery partner providing $10,000 in tornado recovery funds and ongoing support for tornado survivor housing assistance.
• Tabernacle CDCcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Community development organization providing rehabilitated property for tornado survivor homeownership pathway.
• Justine PetersenminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Housing and financial counseling partner providing real estate guidance and coordination for tornado survivor homeownership.
• AmeriCorps St. LouisminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Volunteer organization providing debris removal and property clearing services for tornado survivor recovery.
• Home Sweet HomeminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Furniture and home goods assistance organization providing furnishing support for tornado survivors and Economic Wellness participants.
• Legal Services of Eastern MissouriminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Legal aid organization providing attorney support for Senior Resiliency Fund participant to address debt and fraud issues.
• SLAAA (St. Louis Area Agency on Aging)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 16 May 2025Lead disaster case management partner for tornado recovery serving seniors 60+ with unmet disaster-related needs following May 16, 2025 tornado.
• St. Louis Community Credit UnioncoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2013Microbranch located on-site at LifeWise StL since January 2013, providing financial access and hundreds of low-interest loans to participants. Celebrated 13-year anniversary in 2026.
• United Way of Greater St. LouiscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLifeWise StL is a Safety Net partner of United Way of Greater St. Louis, receiving funding support and community coordination for social service delivery.
• YWCA Head Start and Early Head StartcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLifeWise is a partner site for YWCA's Head Start and Early Head Start programs, extending quality childcare access to under-resourced families through state subsidies and program coordination.
• St. Louis Public SchoolscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to provide English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) classes at LifeWise StL location, with St. Louis Public Schools providing curriculum and teacher support.
• AmeriCorps SeniorscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLifeWise StL serves as sponsor agency for the Senior Companion Program in the St. Louis region through AmeriCorps Seniors national volunteer organization. Provides meaning volunteer opportunities for adults 55+.
• Aging AheadminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAging services network partner supporting senior programming coordination and resources in the St. Louis region.
• St. Louis Area Agency on Aging (SLAAA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration through Benefits Check-up program for seniors, helping lower-income older adults access national and local benefit programs. Also partners on disaster recovery case management for tornado survivors 60+.
• St. Louis Science CenterminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerYouth program partner providing enrichment activities and field trips for Young Scholars After-School Program participants.
• Freedom Arts & Education CenterminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerYouth program partner providing enrichment activities and cultural education for Young Scholars participants.
• Washington University Beat TherapyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner providing therapeutic music programming and beat therapy for youth development programming.
• Children's Hospital St. Louis Healthy Kids ExpressminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHealth screening partnership providing lead and iron testing, growth assessments, vision, hearing, and dental checks for Early Childhood Center children.
• Saving SightminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEye donation and vision health partner providing vision screenings for Early Childhood Center children.
• United 4 ChildrenminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerChildcare support organization providing technical assistance and in-service training for Early Childhood Center staff.
• ChildCare Aware of MissouriminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMissouri childcare resource and referral network providing technical support and training for Early Childhood Center accreditation.
• Guardian Angel Settlement AssociationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAnnual Back-to-School event co-host, partnering to distribute school supplies to 400+ children in the community.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• United Way of Greater St. Louis: Regional United Way chapter and a Safety Net partner/funder of LifeWise StL. Operates broader community funding and coordination role across dozens of social service agencies in the region; not a direct delivery peer but a strategic ecosystem counterparty and a model for multi-program community coordination.

Direct peers

• International Institute of St. Louis: St. Louis-based nonprofit serving immigrants and refugees with case management, ESOL classes, employment services, and economic empowerment programming. Directly comparable to LifeWise StL's ESOL classes, immigrant family services (e.g., Carlos and Martha case), and economic mobility offerings.
• YWCA St. Louis: Regional YWCA affiliate and an active LifeWise StL partner through Head Start/Early Head Start. Provides childcare, economic empowerment, and anti-violence programming to underserved women and families, overlapping significantly in mission, demographic focus, and St. Louis geography.
• FamilyForward: St. Louis-area nonprofit providing family counseling, youth services, and family support programs to families facing crisis. Overlaps with LifeWise StL's therapy, family advocacy, and case management offerings, particularly the Emotional & Physical Wellness and Early Childhood Center family support functions.
• Salvation Army Midland Division: Regional Salvation Army chapter operating a broad portfolio of social services including emergency assistance, youth programs, senior services, and case management across the St. Louis area. Comparable in multi-program, multi-age service delivery and reliance on donations and government funding.
• Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis: St. Louis-based multi-program nonprofit focused on economic empowerment, education, workforce development, and civil rights for African American and underserved communities. Operates a similar portfolio of cradle-to-career services in the same geographic market, making it a direct mission and geography peer.
• Mission St. Louis: St. Louis-based community development nonprofit providing housing, economic mobility, and disaster recovery services — currently a partner on the 2025 tornado recovery program with LifeWise. Operates in overlapping south St. Louis geographies with similar economic empowerment and community development focus.
• Catholic Charities of St. Louis: Large multi-service faith-based nonprofit serving children, families, and seniors across the St. Louis region with counseling, case management, and social services. Closely comparable in program breadth (counseling, senior services, family support) and target populations within the same metro area.
• Goodwill of Greater St. Louis: Regional Goodwill affiliate providing workforce development, job training, and economic mobility services to individuals facing barriers to employment in the St. Louis metro. Overlaps with LifeWise StL's Economic Wellness programming and economic mobility outcomes focus.

Emerging players

• Boys & Girls Club of Greater St. Louis: Regional Boys & Girls Club affiliate providing after-school programming, academic enrichment, and teen services to youth in the St. Louis metro. Comparable to LifeWise StL's Young Scholars and LifeWise Academy programs, with similar literacy/graduation outcomes focus but a youth-only service model.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@LifeWiseStL
• Facebookfacebook.com/LifeWiseStL
• Xx.com/lifewisestl

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles16 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about LifeWise StL